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.