Pirfenidone: A novel hypothetical treatment for COVID-19.
Med Hypotheses
; 144: 110005, 2020 Nov.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-599137
ABSTRACT
Cytokine storm, multiorgan failure, and particularly acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with COVID-19. A fulminant ARDS kills the majority of COVID-19 victims. Pirfenidone (5-methyl-1-phenyl-2-[1H]-pyridone), is a novel anti-fibrotic agent with trivial adverse effects. Pirfenidone is approved for the treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) for patients with mild to moderate disease. Pirfenidone could inhibit apoptosis, downregulate ACE receptors expression, decrease inflammation by several mechanisms and ameliorate oxidative stress and hence protect pneumocytes and other cells from COVID-19 invasion and cytokine storm simultaneously. Based on the pirfenidone mechanism of action and the known pathophysiology of COVID-19, I believe that pirfenidone has the potential for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pyridones
/
Drug Repositioning
/
COVID-19 Drug Treatment
/
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Med Hypotheses
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
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