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A review on function and side effects of systemic corticosteroids used in high-grade COVID-19 to prevent cytokine storms.
- Source :
-
EXCLI journal [EXCLI J] 2021 Feb 15; Vol. 20, pp. 339-365. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Feb 15 (Print Publication: 2021). - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- In December 2019, a cluster of pneumonia caused by a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), officially known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. Cytokine storm is an uncontrolled systemic inflammatory response resulting from the release of large amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that occurs at phase 3 of viral infection. Such emergence led to the development of many clinical trials to discover efficient drugs and therapeutic protocols to fight with this single-stranded RNA virus. Corticosteroids suppress inflammation of the lungs during the cytokine storm, weaken immune responses, and inhibit the elimination of pathogen. For this reason, in COVID-19 corticosteroid therapy, systemic inhibition of inflammation is observed with a wide range of side effects. The present review discusses the effectiveness of the corticosteroid application in COVID-19 infection and the related side effects of these agents. In summary, a number of corticosteroids, including and especially methylprednisolone and dexamethasone, have demonstrated remarkable efficacy, particularly for COVID-19 patients who underwent mechanical ventilation.<br /> (Copyright © 2021 Langarizadeh et al.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1611-2156
- Volume :
- 20
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- EXCLI journal
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 33746666
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2020-3196