Abstract
A very recent epidemiological study provides preliminary evidence that living in habitats located at 2500 m above sea level (masl) might protect from the development of severe respiratory symptoms following infection with the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus. This epidemiological finding raises the question of whether physiological mechanisms underlying the acclimatization to high altitude identifies therapeutic targets for the effective treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome pivotal to the reduction of global mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article compares the symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS) with those of SARS-CoV-2 infection and explores overlapping patho-physiological mechanisms of the respiratory system including impaired oxygen transport, pulmonary gas exchange and brainstem circuits controlling respiration. In this context, we also discuss the potential impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on oxygen sensing in the carotid body. Finally, since erythropoietin (EPO) is an effective prophylactic treatment for AMS, this article reviews the potential benefits of implementing FDA-approved erythropoietin-based (EPO) drug therapies to counteract a variety of acute respiratory and non-respiratory (e.g. excessive inflammation of vascular beds) symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
【저자키워드】 Respiratory system, acute respiratory distress, Silent hypoxemia, High-altitude hypoxia, Hypoxic acclimatization, 【초록키워드】 Treatment, therapy, SARS-COV-2 infection, COVID-19 pandemic, Infection, oxygen, Symptom, Gas exchange, mechanism, Evidence, therapeutic target, Transport, reduction, overlapping, acute respiratory syndrome, Sickness, EPO, vascular beds, physiological mechanism, novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, excessive inflammation, Epidemiological study, prophylactic treatment, effective, raise, PROTECT, identify, provide, question, variety, potential benefit, carotid, epidemiological finding, global mortality, severe respiratory symptom, 【제목키워드】 Treatment, coping, EPO,