The functional receptor to SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, is angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2), the same enzyme that physiologically counters the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) activation. Some researchers have questioned RAS inhibitors’ safety in COVID-19 patients since these drugs have demonstrated an increase in ACE-2 expression in preclinical studies; therefore, they may facilitate viral invasion. On the contrary, others have hypothesized a protective role of RAS inhibitors against COVID-19-associated lung injury. Overall, the data are grossly inadequate to reach any conclusion since no human trials have yet evaluated the effects of RAS inhibitors in COVID-19. We review the current data and pathophysiological mechanisms behind this intriguing interplay between the RAS inhibitors and the COVID-19.
【초록키워드】 COVID-19, coronavirus disease, SARS-CoV-2, pandemic, Trial, drug, Lung injury, virus, RAS, renin-angiotensin system, ACE-2, receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme-2, expression, COVID-19 patient, Activation, enzyme, pathophysiological mechanism, contrary, protective role, viral invasion, researcher, Effect, responsible, evaluated, facilitate, functional, demonstrated, increase in, RAS inhibitor, 【제목키워드】 concept, System, current,