PDE5 inhibitors: breaking new grounds in the treatment of COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the ever-increasing occurrences of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases around the world, very few medications have been validated in the clinical trials to combat COVID-19. Although several vaccines have been developed in the past quarter, the time elapsed between deployment and administration remains a major impediment. CONTENT: Repurposing of pre-approved drugs, such as phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, could be a game-changer while lessening the burden on the current healthcare system. Repurposing and developing phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors could extrapolate their utility to combat the SARS-CoV-2 infection, and potentially aid in the management of the symptoms associated with its newer variants such as BF.7, BQ.1, BQ.1.1, XBB.1.5, and XBB.1.16. SUMMARY: Administration of PDE5 inhibitors via the oral and intravenous route demonstrates other potential off-label benefits, including anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects, by intercepting several pathways. These effects can not only be of clinical importance in mild-to-moderate, but also moderate-to-severe SARS-CoV-2 infections. This article explores the various mechanisms by which PDE5 inhibitors alleviates the symptoms associated with COVID-19 as well as well as highlights recent studies and findings. OUTLOOK: These benefits of PDE5 inhibitors make it a potential drug in the physicians' armamentarium in alleviating symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, adequate clinical studies must be instituted to eliminate any untoward adverse events.

PDE5 inhibitors: breaking new grounds in the treatment of COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the ever-increasing occurrences of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases around the world, very few medications have been validated in the clinical trials to combat COVID-19. Although several vaccines have been developed in the past quarter, the time elapsed between deployment and administration remains a major impediment. CONTENT: Repurposing of pre-approved drugs, such as phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, could be a game-changer while lessening the burden on the current healthcare system. Repurposing and developing phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors could extrapolate their utility to combat the SARS-CoV-2 infection, and potentially aid in the management of the symptoms associated with its newer variants such as BF.7, BQ.1, BQ.1.1, XBB.1.5, and XBB.1.16. SUMMARY: Administration of PDE5 inhibitors via the oral and intravenous route demonstrates other potential off-label benefits, including anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects, by intercepting several pathways. These effects can not only be of clinical importance in mild-to-moderate, but also moderate-to-severe SARS-CoV-2 infections. This article explores the various mechanisms by which PDE5 inhibitors alleviates the symptoms associated with COVID-19 as well as well as highlights recent studies and findings. OUTLOOK: These benefits of PDE5 inhibitors make it a potential drug in the physicians' armamentarium in alleviating symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, adequate clinical studies must be instituted to eliminate any untoward adverse events.

Association of Environmental Factors, Prevalence of Asthma and Respiratory Morbidity in Mumbai: Need of a Public Health Policy.

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between environmental factors, prevalence of asthma and respiratory morbidity in relation to air quality levels in a mega city. To study modifiable environmental factors in people with diagnosed asthma and increased respiratory morbidity. METHODS: Cross sectional survey of population (N-3233) from 6 localities near air quality stations was done to study prevalence of asthma and respiratory morbidity (n-1006) followed by case control study of environmental factors by air sampling to study biological contamination. RESULTS: Univariate analysis was performed to study effect of various risk factors. Respiratory morbidity was significantly high in areas with high SPM levels. Odd's ratio was 10.3 for wheezing, 9.16 for cough, and 12.6 for breathlessness. Presence of biological contamination of air [bacterial spores] was associated with respiratory morbidity with odds ratio of 2.2 in areas with open drainage system. Pigeon droppings were found to be the source of fungal spores and associated with respiratory symptoms with odds ratio of 1.8. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory morbidity significantly rises in areas with high particulate matter levels and biological contamination of air. Identification of environmental risk factors in different localities will be useful for undertaking specific mitigation measures at local level as a public health measure.