Alpha-lipoic acid may protect patients with diabetes against COVID-19 infection.
Med Hypotheses
; 143: 110185, 2020 Oct.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-713170
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 pandemic is spreading rapidly worldwide, and drug selection can affect the morbidity and mortality of the disease positively or negatively. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a potent antioxidant and reduces oxidative stress and inhibits activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB). ALA reduces ADAM17 activity and ACE2 upregulation. ALA is known to have antiviral effects against some viruses. ALA may show antiviral effect by reducing NF-kB activation and alleviating redox reactions. ALA increases the intracellular glutathione strengthens the human host defense. ALA activates ATP dependent K+ channels (Na+, K+-ATPase). Increased K+ in the cell raises the intracellular pH. As the intracellular pH increases, the entry of the virus into the cell decreases. ALA can increase human host defense against SARS-CoV-2 by increasing intracellular pH. ALA treatment increases antioxidant levels and reduces oxidative stress. Thus, ALA may strengthen the human host defense against SARS-CoV-2 and can play a vital role in the treatment of patients with critically ill COVID-19. It can prevent cell damage by decreasing lactate production in patients with COVID-19. Using ALA with insulin in patients with diabetes can show a synergistic effect against SARS-CoV-2. We think ALA treatment will be beneficial against COVID-19 in patients with diabetes.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pneumonia, Viral
/
NF-kappa B
/
Thioctic Acid
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
/
Diabetes Complications
/
Pandemics
/
ADAM17 Protein
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Med Hypotheses
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
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