Coping with hypoxemia: Could erythropoietin (EPO) be an adjuvant treatment of COVID-19?

Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology
Jorge SolizMathias Dutschmann

Abstract

A very recent epidemiological study provides preliminary evidence that living in habitats located at 2500 m above sea level (masl) might protect from the development of severe respiratory symptoms following infection with the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus. This epidemiological finding raises the question of whether physiological mechanisms underlying the acclimatization to high altitude identifies therapeutic targets for the effective treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome pivotal to the reduction of global mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article compares the symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS) with those of SARS-CoV-2 infection and explores overlapping patho-physiological mechanisms of the respiratory system including impaired oxygen transport, pulmonary gas exchange and brainstem circuits controlling respiration. In this context, we also discuss the potential impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on oxygen sensing in the carotid body. Finally, since erythropoietin (EPO) is an effective prophylactic treatment for AMS, this article reviews the potential benefits of implementing FDA-approved erythropoietin-based (EPO) drug therapies to counteract a variety of acute respiratory and non-respiratory (e.g. excessive inf...Continue Reading

Citations

Aug 7, 2020·American Journal of Physiology. Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology·Andrea PorzionatoRaffaele De Caro
Sep 25, 2020·High Altitude Medicine & Biology·Marc Moritz BergerPeter Bärtsch
Nov 17, 2020·Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry : IJCB·Gustavo Zubieta-Calleja, Natalia Zubieta-DeUrioste
Mar 23, 2021·Deutsches Ärzteblatt International·Christian MillerAnja Viethen
Apr 25, 2021·Autonomic Neuroscience : Basic & Clinical·Benedito H Machado, Julian F R Paton
Jun 5, 2021·Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology·Antonio Viruez-SotoJorge Soliz
Aug 7, 2021·Communications Biology·Robert A JacobsEdith M Schneider Gasser
May 13, 2021·American Journal of Physiology. Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology·Dieter BöningWilhelm Bloch
Aug 26, 2020·Acta Haematologica·Giuseppe LippiFabian Sanchis-Gomar
Nov 14, 2021·BMC Public Health·Adriana CamposRicardo Izurieta

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