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1.
PLoS Comput Biol ; 19(5): e1011050, 2023 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2319495

ABSTRACT

Drug repurposing requires distinguishing established drug class targets from novel molecule-specific mechanisms and rapidly derisking their therapeutic potential in a time-critical manner, particularly in a pandemic scenario. In response to the challenge to rapidly identify treatment options for COVID-19, several studies reported that statins, as a drug class, reduce mortality in these patients. However, it is unknown if different statins exhibit consistent function or may have varying therapeutic benefit. A Bayesian network tool was used to predict drugs that shift the host transcriptomic response to SARS-CoV-2 infection towards a healthy state. Drugs were predicted using 14 RNA-sequencing datasets from 72 autopsy tissues and 465 COVID-19 patient samples or from cultured human cells and organoids infected with SARS-CoV-2. Top drug predictions included statins, which were then assessed using electronic medical records containing over 4,000 COVID-19 patients on statins to determine mortality risk in patients prescribed specific statins versus untreated matched controls. The same drugs were tested in Vero E6 cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 and human endothelial cells infected with a related OC43 coronavirus. Simvastatin was among the most highly predicted compounds (14/14 datasets) and five other statins, including atorvastatin, were predicted to be active in > 50% of analyses. Analysis of the clinical database revealed that reduced mortality risk was only observed in COVID-19 patients prescribed a subset of statins, including simvastatin and atorvastatin. In vitro testing of SARS-CoV-2 infected cells revealed simvastatin to be a potent direct inhibitor whereas most other statins were less effective. Simvastatin also inhibited OC43 infection and reduced cytokine production in endothelial cells. Statins may differ in their ability to sustain the lives of COVID-19 patients despite having a shared drug target and lipid-modifying mechanism of action. These findings highlight the value of target-agnostic drug prediction coupled with patient databases to identify and clinically evaluate non-obvious mechanisms and derisk and accelerate drug repurposing opportunities.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors , Humans , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , SARS-CoV-2 , Atorvastatin/pharmacology , Bayes Theorem , Endothelial Cells , Simvastatin/pharmacology , Simvastatin/therapeutic use , Drug Repositioning , Medical Records
2.
Ann Med ; 55(1): 2199218, 2023 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2305381

ABSTRACT

Patients with hypercholesterolemia often have coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD). Viral infections, such as the SARS-CoV-2 infection, may also result in CMD. Three non-randomized studies have shown significant beneficial effects of statins on CMD in non-infected patients. Similarly, in SARS-CoV-2 - infected patients one beneficial mechanism of action of statins may be the amelioration of endothelial dysfunction, which is a major driver of CMD. Apart from statins, lipoprotein apheresis and PCSK9 inhibitors can also improve or even reverse CMD. The potential reversal of CMD by using effective cholesterol-lowering medications during and after COVID-19 infection, especially in hypercholesterolemic COVID-19 patients, is important.KEY MESSAGESCoronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is common in patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 infectionThree nonrandomized studies in non-infected patients are showing the beneficial effects of statin treatment on CMDEffective cholesterol-lowering medication during and after SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially in hypercholesterolemic COVID-19 patients, is of great significance.


Subject(s)
Anticholesteremic Agents , COVID-19 , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors , Humans , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Proprotein Convertase 9 , COVID-19/complications , Cholesterol, LDL , Microcirculation , SARS-CoV-2 , Anticholesteremic Agents/therapeutic use , Anticholesteremic Agents/pharmacology , Cholesterol
3.
Cells ; 11(21)2022 Oct 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2119230

ABSTRACT

(1) Background: statins have been considered an attractive class of drugs in the pharmacological setting of COVID-19 due to their pleiotropic properties and their use correlates with decreased mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, it is well known that statins, which block the mevalonate pathway, affect γδ T lymphocyte activation. As γδ T cells participate in the inflammatory process of COVID-19, we have investigated the therapeutical potential of statins as a tool to inhibit γδ T cell pro-inflammatory activities; (2) Methods: we harvested peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from COVID-19 patients with mild clinical manifestations, COVID-19 recovered patients, and healthy controls. We performed ex vivo flow cytometry analysis to study γδ T cell frequency, phenotype, and exhaustion status. PBMCs were treated with Atorvastatin followed by non-specific and specific stimulation, to evaluate the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines; (3) Results: COVID-19 patients had a lower frequency of circulating Vδ2+ T lymphocytes but showed a pronounced pro-inflammatory profile, which was inhibited by in vitro treatment with statins; (4) Conclusions: the in vitro capacity of statins to inhibit Vδ2+ T lymphocytes in COVID-19 patients highlights a new potential biological function of these drugs and supports their therapeutical use in these patients.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors , Humans , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/metabolism , T-Lymphocyte Subsets/metabolism , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism
4.
Molecules ; 27(10)2022 May 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1953750

ABSTRACT

Voltage-gated potassium channels of the Kv1.3 type are considered a potential new molecular target in several pathologies, including some cancer disorders and COVID-19. Lipophilic non-toxic organic inhibitors of Kv1.3 channels, such as statins and flavonoids, may have clinical applications in supporting the therapy of some cancer diseases, such as breast, pancreas, and lung cancer; melanoma; or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. This study focuses on the influence of the co-application of statins-simvastatin (SIM) or mevastatin (MEV)-with flavonoids 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN), 6-prenylnarigenin (6-PN), xanthohumol (XANT), acacetin (ACAC), or chrysin on the activity of Kv1.3 channels, viability, and the apoptosis of cancer cells in the human T cell line Jurkat. We showed that the inhibitory effect of co-application of the statins with flavonoids was significantly more potent than the effects exerted by each compound applied alone. Combinations of simvastatin with chrysin, as well as mevastatin with 8-prenylnaringenin, seem to be the most promising. We also found that these results correlate with an increased ability of the statin-flavonoid combination to reduce viability and induce apoptosis in cancer cells compared to single compounds. Our findings suggest that the co-application of statins and flavonoids at low concentrations may increase the effectiveness and safety of cancer therapy. Thus, the simultaneous application of statins and flavonoids may be a new and promising anticancer strategy.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors , Neoplasms , Apoptosis , Cell Line , Flavonoids/pharmacology , Flavonoids/therapeutic use , Humans , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Kv1.3 Potassium Channel/metabolism , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Simvastatin/pharmacology
5.
Methods Mol Biol ; 2511: 273-284, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1941382

ABSTRACT

Statins have pleiotropic effects on inflammatory responses in addition to their lipid-lowering action, which contributes to their favorable effect on cardiovascular disorders. Statins affect adhesion, migration, antigen presentation, and cytokine generation of immune cells. Pre-clinical and clinical studies suggest that statin intervention targeted early in the infection might help COVID-19 patients to reduce the effects of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the cytokine storm, and vascular collapse by modulating harmful pathogenic mechanisms. This chapter presents a protocol for measuring blood-based biomarkers predictive of these responses in COVID-19 patients using two specific multiplex immunoassays that target proteins that differ widely in concentration.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors , Cytokine Release Syndrome , Humans , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , SARS-CoV-2 , Severity of Illness Index
6.
Sci Rep ; 12(1): 12047, 2022 07 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1931495

ABSTRACT

The impact of statins on COVID-19 remains unclear. This study aims to investigate whether statin exposure assessed both in the population and in well-defined cohorts of COVID-19 patients may affect the risk and severity of COVID-19 using nationwide Swedish population-based register data. A population ≥ 40 years was selected by age/sex-stratified random sampling from the Swedish population on 1 Jan 2020. COVID-19 outcomes were identified from the SmiNet database, the National Patient Register and/or Cause-of-Death Register and linked with the National Prescribed Drug Register and sociodemographic registers. Statin exposure was defined as any statin prescriptions in the year before index date. In Cox regressions, confounding was addressed using propensity score ATT (Average Treatment effect in the Treated) weighting. Of 572,695 individuals in the overall cohort, 22.3% had prior statin treatment. After ATT weighting, protective effects were observed among statin user for hospitalization and COVID-19 death in the overall cohort and onset cohort. In the hospitalized cohort, statin use was only associated with lower risk for death (HR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.79-0.95), but not ICU admission. Statin-treated individuals appear to have lower COVID-19 mortality than nonusers, whether assessed in the general population, from COVID-19 onset or from hospitalization.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Drug Treatment , COVID-19 , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors , COVID-19/epidemiology , Cohort Studies , Humans , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Propensity Score , Sweden/epidemiology
7.
Sci Rep ; 12(1): 6241, 2022 04 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1921679

ABSTRACT

Recently published clinical data from COVID-19 patients indicated that statin therapy is associated with a better clinical outcome and a significant reduction in the risk of mortality. In this study by computational analysis, we have aimed to predict the possible mechanism of the statin group of drugs by which they can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis. Blind docking of the critical structural and functional proteins of SARS-CoV-2 like RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, M-protease of 3-CL-Pro, Helicase, and the Spike proteins ( wild type and mutants from different VOCs) were performed using the Schrodinger docking tool. We observed that fluvastatin and pitavastatin showed fair, binding affinities to RNA polymerase and 3-CL-Pro, whereas fluvastatin showed the strongest binding affinity to the helicase. Fluvastatin also showed the highest affinity for the SpikeDelta and a fair docking score for other spike variants. Additionally, molecular dynamics simulation confirmed the formation of a stable drug-protein complex between Fluvastatin and target proteins. Thus our study shows that of all the statins, fluvastatin can bind to multiple target proteins of SARS-CoV-2, including the spike-mutant proteins. This property might contribute to the potent antiviral efficacy of this drug.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Fluvastatin/pharmacology , Humans , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Molecular Docking Simulation , Molecular Dynamics Simulation , SARS-CoV-2
9.
Diabetes Metab Syndr ; 16(5): 102484, 2022 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1783291

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & AIMS: To assess the impact of pre-admission renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor (RAASi) and statin use on mortality following COVID-19 hospitalization in adults with pre-existing diabetes. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of adults with diabetes admitted to ninety-nine participating hospitals in the United Kingdom, France and Spain during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Logistic regression models adjusted for demographic factors and comorbidity were used to describe associations with mortality in hospital or within 28 days of admission and individual or combined RAASi and statin therapy prescription followed by a country level meta-analysis. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 3474 (42.6%) individuals. Prescribing patterns varied by country: 25-50% neither RAASi nor statin therapy, 14-36% both RAASi and statin therapy, 9-24% RAASi therapy alone, 12-36% statin alone. Overall, 20-37% of patients died within 28 days. Meta-analysis found no evidence of an association between mortality and prescription of RAASi therapy (OR 1.09, CI 0.78-1.52 (I2 22.2%)), statin (OR 0.97, CI 0.59-1.61 (I2 72.9%)) or both (OR 1.14, CI 0.67-1.92 (I2 78.3%)) compared to those prescribed neither drug class. CONCLUSIONS: This large multicentre, multinational study found no evidence of an association between mortality from COVID-19 infection in people with diabetes and use of either RAASi, statin or combination therapy. This provides reassurance that clinicians should not change their RAASi and statin therapy prescribing practice in people with diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Diabetes Mellitus , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors , Hyperkalemia , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic , Adult , Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists/pharmacology , Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists/therapeutic use , Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Antihypertensive Agents/therapeutic use , Diabetes Mellitus/drug therapy , Hospitalization , Hospitals , Humans , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Hyperkalemia/complications , Hyperkalemia/drug therapy , Hyperkalemia/epidemiology , Multicenter Studies as Topic , Pandemics , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/complications , Renin-Angiotensin System , Retrospective Studies
10.
Biochem Pharmacol ; 197: 114909, 2022 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1616378

ABSTRACT

Vascular endothelial cells are major participants in and regulators of immune responses and inflammation. Vascular endotheliitis is regarded as a host immune-inflammatory response of the endothelium forming the inner surface of blood vessels in association with a direct consequence of infectious pathogen invasion. Vascular endotheliitis and consequent endothelial dysfunction can be a principle determinant of microvascular failure, which would favor impaired perfusion, tissue hypoxia, and subsequent organ failure. Emerging evidence suggests the role of vascular endotheliitis in the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its related complications. Thus, once initiated, vascular endotheliitis and resultant cytokine storm cause systemic hyperinflammation and a thrombotic phenomenon in COVID-19, leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome and widespread organ damage. Vascular endotheliitis also appears to be a contributory factor to vasculopathy and coagulopathy in sepsis that is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction due to a dysregulated response of the host to infection. Therefore, protecting endothelial cells and reversing vascular endotheliitis may be a leading therapeutic goal for these diseases associated with vascular endotheliitis. In this review, we outline the etiological and pathogenic importance of vascular endotheliitis in infection-related inflammatory diseases, including COVID-19, and possible mechanisms leading to vascular endotheliitis. We also discuss pharmacological agents which may be now considered as potential endotheliitis-based treatment modalities for those diseases.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/pathology , Endothelial Cells/pathology , Endothelium, Vascular/pathology , Vascular Diseases/pathology , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/immunology , Endothelial Cells/drug effects , Endothelial Cells/immunology , Endothelium, Vascular/drug effects , Endothelium, Vascular/immunology , Glucocorticoids/pharmacology , Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use , Humans , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , SARS-CoV-2/drug effects , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Sepsis/drug therapy , Sepsis/etiology , Sepsis/immunology , Sepsis/pathology , Vascular Diseases/drug therapy , Vascular Diseases/etiology , Vascular Diseases/immunology , COVID-19 Drug Treatment
11.
Mol Cell Biochem ; 477(3): 711-726, 2022 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1616202

ABSTRACT

The novel coronavirus pandemic has emerged as one of the significant medical-health challenges of the current century. The World Health Organization has named this new virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since the first detection of SARS-CoV-2 in November 2019 in Wuhan, China, physicians, researchers, and others have made it their top priority to find drugs and cures that can effectively treat patients and reduce mortality rates. The symptoms of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) include fever, dry cough, body aches, and anosmia. Various therapeutic compounds have been investigated and applied to mitigate the symptoms in COVID-19 patients and cure the disease. Degenerative virus analyses of the infection incidence and COVID-19 have demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 penetrates the pulmonary alveoli's endothelial cells through Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors on the membrane, stimulates various signaling pathways and causes excessive secretion of cytokines. The continuous triggering of the innate and acquired immune system, as well as the overproduction of pro-inflammatory factors, cause a severe condition in the COVID-19 patients, which is called "cytokine storm". It can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in critical patients. Severe and critical COVID-19 cases demand oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilator support. Various drugs, including immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive agents (e.g., monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and interleukin antagonists) have been utilized in clinical trials. However, the studies and clinical trials have documented diverging findings, which seem to be due to the differences in these drugs' possible mechanisms of action. These drugs' mechanism of action generally includes suppressing or modulating the immune system, preventing the development of cytokine storm via various signaling pathways, and enhancing the blood vessels' diameter in the lungs. In this review article, multiple medications from different drug families are discussed, and their possible mechanisms of action are also described.


Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/immunology , COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Immunomodulating Agents/pharmacology , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/immunology , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/pharmacology , Antiviral Agents/pharmacology , Azetidines/immunology , Azetidines/pharmacology , COVID-19/etiology , Dexamethasone/immunology , Dexamethasone/pharmacology , Famotidine/immunology , Famotidine/pharmacology , Humans , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/immunology , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Infliximab/immunology , Infliximab/pharmacology , Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein/immunology , Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein/pharmacology , Melatonin/immunology , Melatonin/pharmacology , Purines/immunology , Purines/pharmacology , Pyrazoles/immunology , Pyrazoles/pharmacology , Sulfonamides/immunology , Sulfonamides/pharmacology
12.
Lipids Health Dis ; 20(1): 141, 2021 Oct 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1484314

ABSTRACT

The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus started in March 2020. The conclusions from numerous studies indicate that people with comorbidities, such as arterial hypertension, diabetes, obesity, underlying cardiovascular disease, are particularly vulnerable to the severe course of COVID-19. The available data also suggest that patients with dyslipidemia, the most common risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, are also at greater risk of severe course of COVID-19. On the other hand, it has been shown that COVID-19 infection has an influence on lipid profile leading to dyslipidemia, which might require appropriate treatment. Owing to antiviral, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and cardioprotective activity, statin therapy has been considered as valuable tool to improve COVID-19 outcomes. Numerous observational studies have shown potential beneficial effects of lipid-lowering treatment on the course of COVID-19 with significant improved prognosis and reduced mortality.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/etiology , Dyslipidemias/drug therapy , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II/drug therapy , COVID-19/epidemiology , Comorbidity , Dyslipidemias/epidemiology , Humans , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II/epidemiology , Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II/metabolism , Lipid Metabolism , Prognosis , COVID-19 Drug Treatment
13.
Biomolecules ; 11(10)2021 09 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1480575

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Acute myocarditis often progresses to heart failure because there is no effective, etiology-targeted therapy of this disease. Simvastatin has been shown to be cardioprotective by decreasing matrix metalloproteinases' (MMPs) activity. The study was designed to determine whether simvastatin inhibits MMPs activity, decreases the severity of inflammation and contractile dysfunction of the heart in experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM). METHODS: Simvastatin (3 or 30 mg/kg/day) was given to experimental rats with EAM by gastric gavage for 21 days. Then transthoracic echocardiography was performed, MMPs activity and troponin I level were determined and tissue samples were assessed under a light and transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: Hearts treated with simvastatin did not show left ventricular enlargement. As a result of EAM, there was an enhanced activation of MMP-9, which was significantly reduced in the high-dose simvastatin group compared to the low-dose group. It was accompanied by prevention of myofilaments degradation and reduction of severity of inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: The cardioprotective effects of simvastatin in the acute phase of EAM are, at least in part, due to its ability to decrease MMP-9 activity and subsequent decline in myofilaments degradation and suppression of inflammation. These effects were achieved in doses equivalent to therapeutic doses in humans.


Subject(s)
Inflammation/drug therapy , Metalloproteases/genetics , Myocarditis/drug therapy , Simvastatin/pharmacology , Animals , Autoimmune Diseases/drug therapy , Autoimmune Diseases/genetics , Autoimmune Diseases/immunology , Cardiotonic Agents/pharmacology , Echocardiography , Humans , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Inflammation/genetics , Inflammation/immunology , Inflammation/pathology , Metalloproteases/antagonists & inhibitors , Models, Animal , Myocarditis/genetics , Myocarditis/immunology , Myocarditis/pathology , Rats , Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/drug therapy , Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/pathology , Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/prevention & control
14.
J Am Coll Cardiol ; 78(16): 1635-1654, 2021 10 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1454219

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is associated with systemic inflammation, endothelial activation, and multiorgan manifestations. Lipid-modulating agents may be useful in treating patients with COVID-19. These agents may inhibit viral entry by lipid raft disruption or ameliorate the inflammatory response and endothelial activation. In addition, dyslipidemia with lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher triglyceride levels portend worse outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Upon a systematic search, 40 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with lipid-modulating agents were identified, including 17 statin trials, 14 omega-3 fatty acids RCTs, 3 fibrate RCTs, 5 niacin RCTs, and 1 dalcetrapib RCT for the management or prevention of COVID-19. From these 40 RCTs, only 2 have reported preliminary results, and most others are ongoing. This paper summarizes the ongoing or completed RCTs of lipid-modulating agents in COVID-19 and the implications of these trials for patient management.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Drug Treatment , COVID-19/prevention & control , Fatty Acids, Omega-3/therapeutic use , Fibric Acids/therapeutic use , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Niacin/therapeutic use , Amides/pharmacology , Amides/therapeutic use , Esters/pharmacology , Esters/therapeutic use , Fatty Acids, Omega-3/pharmacology , Fibric Acids/pharmacology , Humans , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Lipid Regulating Agents/pharmacology , Lipid Regulating Agents/therapeutic use , Niacin/pharmacology , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Sulfhydryl Compounds/pharmacology , Sulfhydryl Compounds/therapeutic use
15.
Biomed Res Int ; 2021: 1901772, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1440845

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although vaccine rollout for COVID-19 has been effective in some countries, there is still an urgent need to reduce disease transmission and severity. We recently carried out a meta-analysis and found that pre- and in-hospital use of statins may improve COVID-19 mortality outcomes. Here, we provide an updated meta-analysis in an attempt to validate these results and increase the statistical power of these potentially important findings. METHODS: The meta-analysis investigated the effect of observational and randomized clinical studies on intensive care unit (ICU) admission, tracheal intubation, and death outcomes in COVID-19 cases involving statin treatment, by searching the scientific literature up to April 23, 2021. Statistical analysis and random effect modeling were performed to assess the combined effects of the updated and previous findings on the outcome measures. Findings. The updated literature search led to the identification of 23 additional studies on statin use in COVID-19 patients. Analysis of the combined studies (n = 47; 3,238,508 subjects) showed no significant effect of statin treatment on ICU admission and all-cause mortality but a significant reduction in tracheal intubation (OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.54-0.99, p = 0.04, n = 10 studies). The further analysis showed that death outcomes were significantly reduced in the patients who received statins during hospitalization (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.50-0.58, p < 0.001, n = 7 studies), with no such effect of statin therapy before hospital admission (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 0.82-1.37, p = 0.670, n = 29 studies). CONCLUSION: Taken together, this updated meta-analysis extends and confirms the findings of our previous study, suggesting that in-hospital statin use leads to significant reduction of all-cause mortality in COVID-19 cases. Considering these results, statin therapy during hospitalization, while indicated, should be recommended.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Hospitalization/trends , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Intubation, Intratracheal/trends , COVID-19/mortality , Cause of Death/trends , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Intensive Care Units , Intubation, Intratracheal/statistics & numerical data , Models, Statistical , Observational Studies as Topic , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Survival Analysis , Treatment Outcome
16.
Front Immunol ; 12: 716084, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1430699

ABSTRACT

A binary model for the classification of chronic diseases has formerly been proposed. The model classifies chronic diseases as "high Treg" or "low Treg" diseases according to the extent of regulatory T cells (Treg) activity (frequency or function) observed. The present paper applies this model to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The model correctly predicts the efficacy or inefficacy of several immune-modulating drugs in the treatment of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease. It also correctly predicts the class of pathogens mostly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The clinical implications are the following: (a) any search for new immune-modulating drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 should exclude candidates that do not induce "high Treg" immune reaction or those that do not spare CD8+ T cells; (b) immune-modulating drugs, which are effective against SARS-CoV-2, may not be effective against any variant of the virus that does not induce "low Treg" reaction; (c) any immune-modulating drug, which is effective in treating COVID-19, will also alleviate most coinfections; and (d) severe COVID-19 patients should avoid contact with carriers of "low Treg" pathogens.


Subject(s)
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Immunomodulation/drug effects , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use , COVID-19/immunology , Chronic Disease/classification , Humans , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Janus Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , SARS-CoV-2/drug effects , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Sirolimus/therapeutic use
17.
Int J Mol Sci ; 22(8)2021 Apr 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1298166

ABSTRACT

The virus responsible for the current COVID-19 pandemic is severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): a new virus with high infectivity and moderate mortality. The major clinical manifestation of COVID-19 is interstitial pneumonia, which may progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, the disease causes a potent systemic hyperin-flammatory response, i.e., a cytokine storm or macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), which is associated with thrombotic complications. The complexity of the disease requires appropriate intensive treatment. One of promising treatment is statin administration, these being 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors that exert pleiotropic anti-inflammatory effects. Recent studies indicate that statin therapy is associated with decreased mortality in COVID-19, which may be caused by direct and indirect mechanisms. According to literature data, statins can limit SARS-CoV-2 cell entry and replication by inhibiting the main protease (Mpro) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). The cytokine storm can be ameliorated by lowering serum IL-6 levels; this can be achieved by inhibiting Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and modulating macrophage activity. Statins can also reduce the complications of COVID-19, such as thrombosis and pulmonary fibrosis, by reducing serum PAI-1 levels, attenuating TGF-ß and VEGF in lung tissue, and improving endothelial function. Despite these benefits, statin therapy may have side effects that should be considered, such as elevated creatinine kinase (CK), liver enzyme and serum glucose levels, which are already elevated in severe COVID-19 infection. The present study analyzes the latest findings regarding the benefits and limitations of statin therapy in patients with COVID-19.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Animals , COVID-19/complications , Endothelium/drug effects , Humans , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/adverse effects , Inflammation/complications , Inflammation/drug therapy , Lipid Metabolism/drug effects , Macrophage Activation/drug effects , Pulmonary Fibrosis/complications , Pulmonary Fibrosis/drug therapy , SARS-CoV-2/drug effects , Thrombosis/complications , Thrombosis/drug therapy
18.
Prog Lipid Res ; 82: 101099, 2021 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1201814

ABSTRACT

Despite encouraging progresses achieved in the management of viral diseases, efficient strategies to counteract infections are still required. The current global challenge highlighted the need to develop a rapid and cost-effective strategy to counteract the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Lipid metabolism plays a crucial role in viral infections. Viruses can use the host lipid machinery to support their life cycle and to impair the host immune response. The altered expression of mevalonate pathway-related genes, induced by several viruses, assures survival and spread in host tissue. In some infections, statins, HMG-CoA-reductase inhibitors, reduce cholesterol in the plasma membrane of permissive cells resulting in lower viral titers and failure to internalize the virus. Statins can also counteract viral infections through their immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic effects. Beyond statins, interfering with the mevalonate pathway could have an adjuvant effect in therapies aimed at mitigating endothelial dysfunction and deregulated inflammation in viral infection. In this review we depicted the historical and current evidence highlighting how lipid homeostasis and mevalonate pathway targeting represents a valid approach to rapidly neutralize viruses, focusing our attention to their potential use as effective targets to hinder SARS-CoV-2 morbidity and mortality. Pros and cons of statins and Mevalonate-pathway inhibitors have been also dissected.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/metabolism , Homeostasis , Lipid Metabolism , Mevalonic Acid/metabolism , COVID-19/virology , Humans , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Hypolipidemic Agents/pharmacology , Hypolipidemic Agents/therapeutic use , Mevalonic Acid/antagonists & inhibitors , SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification , COVID-19 Drug Treatment
19.
Biomolecules ; 11(4)2021 04 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1196027

ABSTRACT

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) cleave extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors, cytokines, and receptors to influence organ development, architecture, function, and the systemic and cell-specific responses to diseases and pharmacological drugs. Conversely, many diseases (such as atherosclerosis, arthritis, bacterial infections (tuberculosis), viral infections (COVID-19), and cancer), cholesterol-lowering drugs (such as statins), and tetracycline-class antibiotics (such as doxycycline) alter MMP activity through transcriptional, translational, and post-translational mechanisms. In this review, we summarize evidence that the aforementioned diseases and drugs exert significant epigenetic pressure on genes encoding MMPs, tissue inhibitors of MMPs, and factors that transcriptionally regulate the expression of MMPs. Our understanding of human pathologies associated with alterations in the proteolytic activity of MMPs must consider that these pathologies and their medicinal treatments may impose epigenetic pressure on the expression of MMP genes. Whether the epigenetic mechanisms affecting the activity of MMPs can be therapeutically targeted warrants further research.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Drug Discovery , Epigenesis, Genetic/drug effects , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Matrix Metalloproteinases/genetics , Tetracyclines/pharmacology , Animals , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Bacterial Infections/drug therapy , Bacterial Infections/genetics , Bone Diseases/drug therapy , Bone Diseases/genetics , COVID-19/genetics , Cardiovascular Diseases/drug therapy , Cardiovascular Diseases/genetics , Humans , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Molecular Targeted Therapy , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Neoplasms/genetics , Tetracyclines/therapeutic use , Virus Diseases/drug therapy , Virus Diseases/genetics , COVID-19 Drug Treatment
20.
Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis ; 32(3): 167-171, 2021 Apr 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1171412

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus disease 2019 infection produce a prothrombotic state. This is initiated through multiple pathways and is finally aggravated by cross talks with cytokine storm and neutrophil, platelet, complement activation. All these combine towards the second week of illness to produce thrombosis in the lung capillaries surrounding the alveolus producing characteristic pulmonary dysfunction (PaO2/FiO2 > 300, normal or minimally increased lung compliance and very high d-dimer levels) and a high rate of peripheral venous thrombosis. International and many national guidelines have approached this state in different ways but all emphasized the need for management and prevention of widespread thrombosis. It is felt more aggressive and graded thrombosis prevention and management should be initiated early in the treatment. d-Dimer, neutrophil count, SaO2, fibrinogen levels should be used to control the hypercoagulability. Drugs like statins which have anti-inflammatory action as well as ability to reduce fibrinogen and other clotting factors should be used in the beginning along with antiplatelet drugs and progressively complement activation and neutrophil extracellular traps inhibitors, oral mucopolysaccharides, full-scale anticoagulation along with judicial use of fibrinolysis supporting drugs should be added. In the present review, we have evaluated the various studies and argued the rationality that the anticoagulation in this condition should be initiated early during the infection and should be increased in a graded manner depending on clinical and laboratory progression of the condition until a strong specific antiviral drug for coronavirus disease 2019 infection is available.


Subject(s)
Blood Coagulation/drug effects , COVID-19 Drug Treatment , COVID-19/physiopathology , Thrombophilia/drug therapy , Thrombosis/drug therapy , Anticoagulants/therapeutic use , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Blood Platelets/drug effects , Extracellular Traps/drug effects , Fibrinolytic Agents/therapeutic use , Glycosaminoglycans/pharmacology , Glycosaminoglycans/therapeutic use , Humans , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Inflammation/drug therapy , Lung/drug effects , Lung/physiopathology , Lung/virology , Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/therapeutic use
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