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Active agents of Renin Angiotensin System and SARS-CoV-2
  • +2
  • Antonio Vitiello,
  • Raffaele La Porta,
  • Giovanni Granata,
  • Chiara Pelliccia,
  • Francesco Ferrara
Antonio Vitiello
Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale Umbria 1

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Raffaele La Porta
ASUR Marche
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Giovanni Granata
Local Health Authority Salerno
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Chiara Pelliccia
Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale Umbria 2
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Francesco Ferrara
Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale Umbria 1
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Abstract

Introduction The new coronavirus, called SARS-CoV-2, is responsible for the recent outbreak of serious respiratory diseases worldwide. The state of the global pandemic is still being declared and the virus has already claimed thousands of victims. Therapies are urgently needed to contain its rapid spread and reduce high mortality rates, no direct antiviral is yet available and several clinical trials are underway. In addition, no vaccines are currently available and any development in this direction may take several months. Experts in the field have divided SARS-Cov-2 infection into three phases. Materials and methods This article explores the scientific hypothesis based on pharmacological and molecular knowledge to consider drugs that modulate the RAS system as therapeutic agents that can help the body fight SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results It is known from the 2003 SARS epidemic that the critical receptor for SARS-CoV entry into host cells is the angiotensin 2 conversion enzyme (ACE2), the strain involved in the current SARS-CoV-2 epidemic is similar to the SARS-CoV variety involved in the 2002-2003 SARS epidemic. ACE-2 is part of the RAS system, modulating this enzyme could be effective. Conclusions A scientific hypothesis is described, in the absence of studies and clinical data, based on therapeutic treatments that modulate RAS, and current knowledge of the mechanism of penetration of SARS-CoV-2 into cells, and the role of ACE-2 in the inflammatory state of the infection.