https://www.eurotimes.org/tetracyclines-proposed-as-treatment-for-covid-19/
Abstract
Currently there is a race against time to identify
prophylactic and therapeutic treatments against COVID‐19. Until these
treatments are developed, tested and mass produced, it might be prudent
to look into existing therapies that could be effective against this
virus. Based on the available evidence we believe that tetracyclines may
be effective agents in the treatment of COVID‐19. Tetracyclines (e.g.
tetracycline, doxycycline, and minocycline) are highly lipophilic
antibiotics that are known to chelate zinc compounds on matrix
metalloproteinases (MMPs)1. Coronaviruses are also known to
heavily rely on host MMPs for survival, cell infiltration, cell to cell
adhesion, and replication, many of which have zinc as part of their MMP
complex2,3. It is possible that the zinc chelating properties
of tetracyclines may also aid in inhibiting COVID‐19 infection in
humans limiting their ability to replicate within the host.
Tetracyclines proposed as treatment for COVID-19
In a letter to the editor of Pharmacotherapy , Mohit Sodhi, MSc, and Mahyar Etminan, PharmD, from the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of British Columbia,
Vancouver, Canada outline evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of tetracyclines as a treatment for patients with COVID-19. The letter was published online on April 8, 2020.
https://accpjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/phar.2395
The rationale for using tetracyclines considers the lipophilic nature of the tetrayclines along with their ability to inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), anti-inflammatory properties and possible
antiviral activity. Furthermore, the authors cite the relative safety of tetracyclines compared with other agents that are being considered to treat COVID-19, including antimalarial and antiretroviral drugs.
Describing the tetracyclines as a potential treatment for COVID-19 “that is hiding in plain sight”, Sodhi and Etminan urge researchers to consider investigating the efficacy of this available therapy.
Reviewing the activity of tetracyclines, the authors explain that they chelate zinc compounds on MMPs. Because coronaviruses depend on those enzymes for survival, cell infiltration, cell-to-cell adhesion, and replication, Sodhi and Etminan postulated that tetracyclines might
inhibit viral replication within the host.
As further support for the antiviral activity of tetracyclines, they cited reports indicating that tetracyclines might have activity for inhibiting RNA replication on positive-sense single stranded RNA, like SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 viral pathogen. The evidence includes findings
from one in vitro study showing that
doxycycline inhibited dengue virus serine protease, viral replication and viral entry into cultured cells and another
showing a 70% decrease in retroviral load when a murine retrovirus producing cell line was incubated with
doxycycline.
Anti-inflammatory activity of tetracyclines is well-recognised and includes the ability to downregulate expression of several inflammatory cytokines that have been shown to be significantly elevated in lung tissue exposed to the coronavirus causing the infection known as SARS.
In addition,
chemically modified tetracyclines have been shown to
induce apoptosis of mast cells that release a host of pro-inflammatory mediators. The effect on mast cells may be particularly relevant for treating COVID-19 considering evidence that mast cell proliferation
within respiratory submucosa is induced by coronaviruses.
The lipophilic nature of tetracyclines favors their distribution into lung tissue and is also significant because SARS-CoV-2 has a lipophilic outer shell. Suggesting that tetracyclines might be useful treatment for pulmonary complications of COVID-19, the authors cite a preclinical
study in which a chemically-modified tetracycline prevented sepsis induced by acute respiratory distress syndrome.<
We want to hear from you with stories, suggestions or ideas,
national recommendations and guidelines. Please send all your items to
COVID19@escrs.org or use wetransfer.com for larger files
Tetracyclines proposed as treatment for COVID-19
In a letter to the editor of Pharmacotherapy , Mohit
Sodhi, MSc, and Mahyar Etminan, PharmD, from the Department of
Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of British Columbia,
Vancouver, Canada outline evidence supporting the therapeutic potential
of tetracyclines as a treatment for patients with COVID-19. The letter
was published online on April 8, 2020.
https://accpjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/phar.2395
The rationale for using tetracyclines considers the lipophilic nature
of the tetrayclines along with their ability to inhibit matrix
metalloproteinases (MMPs), anti-inflammatory properties and possible
antiviral activity. Furthermore, the authors cite the relative safety of
tetracyclines compared with other agents that are being considered to
treat COVID-19, including antimalarial and antiretroviral drugs.
Describing the tetracyclines as a potential treatment for COVID-19
“that is hiding in plain sight”, Sodhi and Etminan urge researchers to
consider investigating the efficacy of this available therapy.
Reviewing the activity of tetracyclines, the authors explain that
they chelate zinc compounds on MMPs. Because coronaviruses depend on
those enzymes for survival, cell infiltration, cell-to-cell adhesion,
and replication, Sodhi and Etminan postulated that tetracyclines might
inhibit viral replication within the host.
As further support for the antiviral activity of tetracyclines, they
cited reports indicating that tetracyclines might have activity for
inhibiting RNA replication on positive-sense single stranded RNA, like
SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 viral pathogen. The evidence includes findings
from one in vitro study showing that doxycycline inhibited
dengue virus serine protease, viral replication and viral entry into
cultured cells and another showing a 70% decrease in retroviral load
when a murine retrovirus producing cell line was incubated with
doxycycline.
Anti-inflammatory activity of tetracyclines is well-recognised and
includes the ability to downregulate expression of several inflammatory
cytokines that have been shown to be significantly elevated in lung
tissue exposed to the coronavirus causing the infection known as SARS.
In addition, chemically modified tetracyclines have been shown to induce
apoptosis of mast cells that release a host of pro-inflammatory
mediators. The effect on mast cells may be particularly relevant for
treating COVID-19 considering evidence that mast cell proliferation
within respiratory submucosa is induced by coronaviruses.
The lipophilic nature of tetracyclines favors their distribution into
lung tissue and is also significant because SARS-CoV-2 has a lipophilic
outer shell. Suggesting that tetracyclines might be useful treatment
for pulmonary complications of COVID-19, the authors cite a preclinical
study in which a chemically-modified tetracycline prevented sepsis
induced by acute respiratory distress syndrome.
We want to hear from you with stories, suggestions or ideas,
national recommendations and guidelines. Please send all your items to
COVID19@escrs.org or use wetransfer.com for larger files