一氧化氮,COVID-19 z-bo 2020-10-23 371

　　Researchers at Uppsala University have discovered that the effective treatment of the coronavirus behind the 2003 SARS epidemic is also applicable to the closely related SARS-CoV-2. Specifically, researchers found that nitric oxide (NO), a compound with antiviral properties produced by the body itself, has the effect of killing the new coronavirus.

　　"As far as we know, nitric oxide is the only substance that has been shown to have a direct effect on SARS-CoV-2 so far," said Åke Lundkvist, a professor at Uppsala University who led the study.

　　As there is still no effective cure for COVID-19, the main focus of the treatment tested is to relieve symptoms. This can shorten hospital stays and reduce mortality. However, to date, there is no method that can treat patients who have already suffered from new coronary pneumonia.

　　Nitric oxide (NO) is a compound naturally produced in the body. Its functions include acting like hormones in controlling various organs. For example, it can regulate blood vessel tension and blood flow between and within organs. In acute lung failure, NO can be administered as an inhaled gas at a low concentration to increase blood oxygen saturation. During the SARS epidemic in 2003, this therapy was successfully tried. One of the key reasons for the successful results is the reduction in lung inflammation in the patient. This property of nitric oxide-providing protection against infection by having both antibacterial and antiviral properties-is now the property of interest to researchers.

　　Their research is further based on the discovery of the coronavirus that caused the first SARS epidemic. In 2003, the NO released by S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) proved to have a significant antiviral effect. Researchers at Uppsala University and Karolinska Institute have now studied the response of the new coronavirus SARS CoV-2, which is related to the current pandemic, to this compound. SNAP also showed a significant antiviral effect on this virus, and this effect became stronger as the dose increased.

　　"Before an effective vaccine is available, we hope that inhalation of NO may be an effective treatment. The dose and timing of the start of treatment may play an important role in the outcome, and it needs to be explored as soon as possible," said ÅkeLundkvist.

　　The research team is now planning to continue to study the antiviral effects of NO emitted in the form of gas. To this end, they will build a model in the laboratory to safely simulate possible patient treatment modalities.