Abstract
In the ongoing coronavirus diseases-2019 (COVID-19) crisis that caused immense suffering and deaths, the choice of therapy for the prevention and life-saving conditions must be based on sound scientific evidence. Uncertainty and apprehension are exacerbated in people using angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to control their comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes. These drugs are reported to result in unfavorable outcome as they tend to increase the levels of ACE2 which mediates the entry of SARS-CoV-2. Amiloride, a prototypic inhibitor of epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) can be an ideal candidate for COVID-19 patients, given its ACE reducing and cytosolic pH increasing effects. Moreover, its potassium-sparing and anti-epileptic activities make it a promising alternative or a combinatorial agent.
Keywords:
ACE inhibitors; ACE2; COVID-19; ENaC; amiloride; cytosolic pH.
MeSH terms
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A549 Cells
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Amiloride / pharmacology*
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Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
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Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
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Betacoronavirus / drug effects*
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Betacoronavirus / pathogenicity
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COVID-19
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COVID-19 Drug Treatment
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Cardiovascular Diseases / drug therapy
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Cardiovascular Diseases / enzymology
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Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy*
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Coronavirus Infections / enzymology
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Coronavirus Infections / virology
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Down-Regulation
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Epithelial Sodium Channel Blockers / pharmacology*
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Host-Pathogen Interactions
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Humans
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Pandemics
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Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / metabolism
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Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy*
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Pneumonia, Viral / enzymology
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Pneumonia, Viral / virology
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Receptors, Virus / metabolism
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Respiratory Mucosa / drug effects*
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Respiratory Mucosa / enzymology
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Respiratory Mucosa / virology
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SARS-CoV-2
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Virus Internalization / drug effects*
Substances
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Antiviral Agents
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Epithelial Sodium Channel Blockers
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Receptors, Virus
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Amiloride
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Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
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ACE2 protein, human
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Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2