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Yu Y, Li GF, Li J, Han LY, Zhang ZL, Liu TS, Jiao SX, Qiao YW, Zhang N, Zhan DC, Tang SQ, Yu G. Ursodeoxycholic acid and COVID-19 outcomes: a cohort study and data synthesis of state-of-art evidence. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38975666 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2024.2376153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The potential of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 was demonstrated. However, conflicting evidence emerged regarding the association between UDCA and COVID-19 outcomes, prompting the need for a comprehensive investigation. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection were retrospectively analyzed and divided into two groups: the UDCA-treated group and the control group. Kaplan-Meier recovery analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the recovery time and hazard ratios. Additionally, study-level pooled analyses for multiple clinical outcomes were performed. RESULTS In the 115-patient cohort, UDCA treatment was significantly associated with a reduced recovery time. The subgroup analysis suggests that the 300 mg subgroup had a significant (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.63 [95% CI, 1.01 to 2.60]) benefit with a shorter duration of fever. The results of pooled analyses also show that UDCA treatment can significantly reduce the incidence of severe/critical diseases in COVID-19 (adjusted odds ratio: 0.68 [95% CI, 0.50 to 0.94]). CONCLUSIONS UDCA treatment notably improves the recovery time following an Omicron strain infection without observed safety concerns. These promising results advocate for UDCA as a viable treatment for COVID-19, paving the way for further large-scale and prospective research to explore the full potential of UDCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yu
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
- National Key Laboratory for Novel Software Technology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- General Foundation Department, Polixir.ai, Nanjing, China
| | - Guo-Fu Li
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian Li
- Hospital of Nanjing University, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lu-Yao Han
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhi-Long Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Novel Software Technology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- General Foundation Department, Polixir.ai, Nanjing, China
| | - Tian-Shuo Liu
- National Key Laboratory for Novel Software Technology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- General Foundation Department, Polixir.ai, Nanjing, China
| | - Shu-Xin Jiao
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu-Wei Qiao
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Na Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - De-Chuan Zhan
- National Key Laboratory for Novel Software Technology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shao-Qiu Tang
- Hospital of Nanjing University, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guo Yu
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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2
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Felber R, New W, Riskin SI. SARS-CoV-2 and the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Receptor: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor/Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker Utilization and a Shift Towards the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Classical Pathway. Cureus 2024; 16:e55563. [PMID: 38576704 PMCID: PMC10993924 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.55563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, uses the surface angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor as the site of entry into host cardiac, respiratory, intestinal, renal, and nervous system cells. Predisposing risk factors such as cardiovascular disease increase the risk of developing severe disease. Hypertension is characterized by the stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis) and angiotensin 2 receptor blockers (ARBs), medications used to treat hypertension, inhibit RAAS and its downstream effects; however, they have also been shown to upregulate ACE2 receptors. In this review, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of ACEi/ARBs as an adjunct therapy in patients with SARS-CoV-2 as well as examine the possible protective effects and impact on infection rate and disease severity. A PubMed literature search excluding sources outside the United States and duplicates was performed using the following search criteria: "COVID-19 AND cardiovascular disease AND ACEi AND ARB", "SARS-COVID-19 OR COVID-19, AND ACEi AND ARB AND Infection rate", "COVID-19 AND ACEi and ARB", "Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 AND ACE2 OR ARBs", "Omicron AND ACEi AND ARBs". This resulted in 33 final sources. The review concluded that ACEi/ARB therapy may continue to improve COVID-19 survival as previous treatment is associated with positive clinical outcomes. Patients taking ACEis or ARBs were found to have a decreased risk of hospitalization, reduced severity of COVID-19 pneumonia, a lesser need for mechanical ventilation, and an overall reduction in mortality rate. No statistically significant association between ACEi/ARB use and enhanced COVID-19 infectivity was found. The Omicron variant is theoretically more infectious and was associated with increased negative clinical outcomes in those undertreated with ACEis/ARBs. The majority of the literature supports the current guidelines from the American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA), European Society of Cardiology (ESC), and Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA), which state that ACEi and ARB medications should not be withdrawn from or initiated on patients with cardiovascular disease who are infected with SARS-CoV-2. More research needs to be conducted on the association between the emerging COVID-19 variants and ACEis/ARBs to give clinicians confidence when treating patients within this subgroup of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randy Felber
- Department of Foundational Sciences, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clearwater, USA
| | - William New
- Department of Foundational Sciences, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clearwater, USA
| | - Suzanne I Riskin
- Department of Foundational Sciences, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clearwater, USA
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3
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Hamada S, Suzuki T, Tokuda Y, Taniguchi K, Shibuya K. Comparing clinical outcomes of ARB and ACEi in patients hospitalized for acute COVID-19. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11810. [PMID: 37479767 PMCID: PMC10361955 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38838-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Continued receipt of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone inhibitors in patients with COVID-19 has shown potential in producing better clinical outcomes. However, superiority between ACEi (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) and ARB (angiotensin II receptor blockers) regarding clinical outcomes in this setting remains unknown. We retrospectively collected data on patients hospitalized for acute COVID-19 using the nationwide administrative database (Diagnosis and Procedure Combinations, DPC). The DPC data covered around 25% of all acute care hospitals in Japan. Patient outcomes, with focus on inpatient mortality, were compared between patients previously prescribed ACEi and those prescribed ARB. Comparisons based on crude, multivariate and propensity-score adjusted analysis were conducted. We examined a total of 7613 patients (ARB group, 6903; ACEi group 710). The ARB group showed lower crude in-hospital mortality, compared to the ACEi group (5% vs 8%; odds ratio, 0.65; 95% CI 0.48-0.87), however not in the multivariate-adjusted model (odds ratio, 0.95; 95% CI 0.69-1.3) or propensity-score adjusted models (odds ratio, 0.86; 95% CI 0.63-1.2). ARB shows potential in reducing hospital stay duration over ACEi in patients admitted for COVID-19, but does not significantly reduce in-hospital mortality. Further prospective studies are needed to draw a definitive conclusion, but continuation of either of these medications is warranted to improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yasuharu Tokuda
- The Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
- Muribushi Okinawa Center for Teaching Hospitals, 3-42-8 Iso, Urasoe, Okinawa, 901-2132, Japan.
- University of Tsukuba School of Medicine, Tsukuba, Japan.
| | - Kiyosu Taniguchi
- National Hospital Organization Mie National Hospital, Tsu, Mie, Japan
| | - Kenji Shibuya
- The Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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4
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Rothlin RP, Pelorosso FG, Duarte M, Nicolosi L, Ignacio FC, Salgado MV, Vetulli H. Telmisartan and losartan: The marked differences between their chemical and pharmacological properties may explain the difference in therapeutic efficacy in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2023; 11:e01083. [PMID: 37038324 PMCID: PMC10086312 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.1083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo Pedro Rothlin
- Sociedad Argentina de Farmacología Clínica, Asociación Médica Argentina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Facundo Germán Pelorosso
- Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital de Alta Complejidad El Calafate SAMIC, Santa Cruz, Argentina
| | - Mariano Duarte
- Laboratorio de Hipertensión, División de Cardiología, Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Segunda Cátedra de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Liliana Nicolosi
- División de Cardiología, Hospital Español de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernandez Criado Ignacio
- Sección de Tecnología Educativa e Informática Médica, Hospital de Clínicas "José de San Martín", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Victoria Salgado
- Centro de Estudios de Estado y Sociedad, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Servicio de Medicina Familiar, Hospital de Alta Complejidad El Calafate SAMIC, Santa Cruz, Argentina
| | - Héctor Vetulli
- Servicio de Electrofisiología Cardíaca, Arritmias y Marcapasos, Sanatorio Otamendi y Miroli, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Rizk JG, Gupta A, Lazo JG, Sardar P, Henry BM, Lavie CJ, Effron MB. To Anticoagulate or Not to Anticoagulate in COVID-19: Lessons after 2 Years. Semin Thromb Hemost 2023; 49:62-72. [PMID: 35468641 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1744302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
A hypercoagulable state associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been well documented and is believed to be strongly supported by a proinflammatory state. The hypercoagulable state in turn results in increased incidence of arterial and venous thromboembolism (VTE) seen in hospitalized COVID-19 when compared with hospitalized non-COVID-19 patient cohorts. Moreover, patients with arterial or VTE and COVID-19 have higher mortality compared with COVID-19 patients without arterial or VTE. Prevention of arterial or VTE thus remains an essential question in the management of COVID-19 patients, especially because of high rates of reported microvascular and macrovascular thrombosis. This has prompted multiple randomized control trials (RCTs) evaluating different anticoagulation strategies in COVID-19 patients at various stages of the disease. Herein, we review findings from RCTs in the past 2 years of antithrombotic therapy in critically ill hospitalized patients, noncritically ill hospitalized patients, patients postdischarge from the hospital, and outpatients. RCTs in critically ill patients demonstrated therapeutic dose anticoagulation does not improve outcomes and has more bleeding than prophylaxis dose anticoagulant in these patients. Trials in noncritically ill hospitalized patients showed a therapeutic dose anticoagulation with a heparin formulation might improve clinical outcomes. Anticoagulation with a direct oral anticoagulant posthospital discharge may improve outcomes, although there is a large RCT in progress. Nonhospitalized COVID-19 patients have an insufficient burden of events to be candidates for antithrombotic therapy. Anticoagulation in pregnant and lactating patients with COVID-19, as well as antiplatelet therapy for COVID-19, is also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Rizk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Aashish Gupta
- John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute, Ochsner Clinical School-The University of Queensland School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Jose G Lazo
- UCSF Medical Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Partha Sardar
- John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute, Ochsner Clinical School-The University of Queensland School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Brandon Michael Henry
- Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Disease Prevention and Intervention & Population Health Programs, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Carl J Lavie
- John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute, Ochsner Clinical School-The University of Queensland School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Mark B Effron
- John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute, Ochsner Clinical School-The University of Queensland School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
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6
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Rizk JG, Sanchis-Gomar F, Henry BM, Lippi G, Lavie CJ. Coronavirus disease 2019, hypertension, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors. Curr Opin Cardiol 2022; 37:419-423. [PMID: 35913369 DOI: 10.1097/hco.0000000000000982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mostly uses the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) as cellular receptor for entering the host cells. Some, but not all, animal studies have shown that renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors can increase ACE-2 expression. On that premise, it was hypothesized that these agents could make it more likely to develop coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). On the other hand, there was also evidence that being on these agents could lessen the severity of the lung injury in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Herein, we review the available evidence on the role of RAAS inhibitors on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 development. RECENT FINDINGS Recent randomized controlled trials demonstrate that RAAS blockade or withdrawal does not influence the severity of COVID-19 in patients who are already on these medications. Currently, there is no evidence to support stopping RAAS inhibitors in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Several questions still need to be addressed. Ongoing studies are currently evaluating the de novo use of RAAS inhibitors in patients with COVID-19. Another area that needs to be investigated is whether or not using these medications increase the risk of infection. SUMMARY The wealth of evidence indicates that ACE inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blocker administration has no harmful effects on hospitalizations and severity of COVID-19 in patients already on these medications and might even reduce mortality among hypertensive patients diagnosed with COVID-19. More evidence and data need to be collected, and at this time, these agents should not be discontinued.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Rizk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Fabian Sanchis-Gomar
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Brandon M Henry
- The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Giuseppe Lippi
- Section of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Carl J Lavie
- John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute, Ochsner Clinical School-The University of Queensland School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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7
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Jeffery MM, Oliveira J E Silva L, Bellolio F, Garovic VD, Dempsey TM, Limper A, Cummins NW. Association of outpatient use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers on outcomes of acute respiratory illness during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cohort study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e060305. [PMID: 35793915 PMCID: PMC9260198 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-060305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Evaluate the associations between patients taking ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and their clinical outcomes after an acute viral respiratory illness (AVRI) due to COVID-19. DESIGN Retrospective cohort. SETTING The USA; 2017-2018 influenza season, 2018-2019 influenza season, and 2019-2020 influenza/COVID-19 season. PARTICIPANTS People with hypertension (HTN) taking an ACEi, ARB or other HTN medications, and experiencing AVRI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Change in hospital admission, intensive care unit (ICU) or coronary care unit (CCU), acute respiratory distress (ARD), ARD syndrome (ARDS) and all-cause mortality, comparing COVID-19 to pre-COVID-19 influenza seasons. RESULTS The cohort included 1 059 474 episodes of AVRI (653 797 filled an ACEi or ARB, and 405 677 other HTN medications). 58.6% were women and 72.9% with age ≥65. The ACEi/ARB cohort saw a larger increase in risk in the COVID-19 influenza season than the other HTN medication cohort for four out of five outcomes, with an additional 1.5 percentage point (pp) increase in risk of an inpatient stay (95% CI 1.2 to 1.9 pp) and of ICU/CCU use (95% CI 0.3 to 2.7 pp) as well as a 0.7 pp (0.1 to 1.2 pp) additional increase in risk of ARD and 0.9 pp (0.4 to 1.3 pp) additional increase in risk of ARDS. There was no statistically significant difference in the absolute risk of death (-0.2 pp, 95% CI -0.4 to 0.1 pp). However, the relative risk of death in 2019/2020 versus 2017/2018 for the ACEi/ARB group was larger (1.40 (1.36 to 1.44)) than for the other HTN medication cohort (1.24 (1.21 to 1.28)). CONCLUSIONS People with AVRI using ACEi/ARBs for HTN had a greater increase in poor outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic than those using other medications to treat HTN. The small absolute magnitude of the differences likely does not support changes in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Moore Jeffery
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Visiting Fellow, OptumLabs, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA
| | | | | | - Vesna D Garovic
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology & Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Timothy M Dempsey
- David Grant Medical Center, US Air Force, Travis Air Force Base, California, USA
- Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Andrew Limper
- Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Nathan W Cummins
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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