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Effect of ramipril on kidney, lung and heart ACE2 in a diabetic mice model.
- Source :
-
Molecular and cellular endocrinology [Mol Cell Endocrinol] 2021 Jun 01; Vol. 529, pp. 111263. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Mar 31. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The main organ affected in this infection is the lung and the virus uses the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a receptor to enter the target cells. In this context, a controversy raised regarding the use of renin-angiotensin system (RAAS) blockers, as these drugs might increase ACE2 expression in some tissues and potentially increase the risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection. This is specially concerning in diabetic patients as diabetes is a risk factor for COVID-19.<br />Methods: 12-week old diabetic mice (db/db) were treated with ramipril, or vehicle control for 8 weeks. Non-diabetic db/m mice were included as controls. ACE2 expression and activity were studied in lung, kidney and heart of these animals.<br />Results: Kidney ACE2 activity was increased in the db/db mice as compared to the db/m (143.2% ± 23% vs 100% ± 22.3%, p = 0.004), whereas ramipril had no significant effect. In the lung, no differences were found in ACE2 when comparing db/db mice to db/m and ramipril also had no significant effect. In the heart, diabetes decreased ACE2 activity (83% ± 16.8%, vs 100% ± 23.1% p = 0.02), and ramipril increased ACE2 significantly (83% ± 16.8% vs 98.2% ± 15%, p = 0.04).<br />Conclusions: In a mouse model of type 2 diabetes, ramipril had no significant effect on ACE2 activity in either kidneys or in the lungs. Therefore, it is unlikely that RAAS blockers or at least angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection through increasing ACE2.<br /> (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 genetics
Animals
COVID-19 enzymology
COVID-19 genetics
COVID-19 pathology
Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental genetics
Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental metabolism
Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental pathology
Kidney pathology
Kidney virology
Lung pathology
Lung virology
Male
Mice
Mice, Mutant Strains
Organ Specificity drug effects
Organ Specificity genetics
SARS-CoV-2 genetics
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 metabolism
Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental drug therapy
Kidney metabolism
Lung metabolism
Myocardium metabolism
Ramipril pharmacology
SARS-CoV-2 metabolism
COVID-19 Drug Treatment
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1872-8057
- Volume :
- 529
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Molecular and cellular endocrinology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 33811970
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2021.111263