Timisoara Medical Journal

(ISSN: 1583-526X) Open Access Journal
Rss Feed:
Timisoara Med 2020, 2020(1), 8; doi: 10.35995/tmj20200108

Angiotensin-Converting-Enzyme 2 and SARS-CoV2: A Dangerous Liaison

Received: 21 Sep 2020 / Revised: 20 Oct 2020 / Accepted: 20 Oct 2020 / Published: 26 Oct 2020
View Full-text Download PDF (694kb)

Abstract

The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) has been recognized as a key player in the complex scenario of cardiovascular regulation. Aside from its role in the cardiovascular diseases, RAAS dysregulation has emerged as a central pathomechanism in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1 (SARS-CoV1) epidemic, dating back to 2002–2004, and the current COVID-19 pandemic with SARS-CoV2, with the latter involving the interaction with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). ACE2 is the enzyme responsible for Ang 1-7 production that partly counteracts the RAAS effects and promotes nitric oxide synthase activation; moreover, it has also been reported to act as a receptor for both SARS viruses. In the setting of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the SARS–ACE2 interaction is highly debated with respect to both viral infectivity and usage/discontinuation of RAAS medication—ACE inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs)—in diagnosed or suspected SARS-CoV2 patients. Since ACE inhibitors and ARBs are largely prescribed in cardiovascular pathology, a better understanding of the interaction between SARS-CoV2 and RAAS is urgently needed. In this review, we will briefly discuss the SARS-CoV2 and ACE2 interaction and why the discontinuation of RAAS medication is unsafe for either diagnosed or suspected SARS-CoV2 patients.
Keywords: angiotensin-converting-enzyme 2; SARS-Cov2; COVID-19 pandemic
OPEN ACCESS
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. (CC BY 4.0).
CITE
Sturza, A.; Marian, C.V.; Muntean, D.M.; Crețu, O.M. Angiotensin-Converting-Enzyme 2 and SARS-CoV2: A Dangerous Liaison. Timisoara_Med 2020, 2020, 8.
Sturza A, Marian CV, Muntean DM, Crețu OM. Angiotensin-Converting-Enzyme 2 and SARS-CoV2: A Dangerous Liaison. Timisoara Medical Journal. 2020; 2020(1):8.
Sturza, Adrian; Marian, Cătălin V.; Muntean, Danina M.; Crețu, Octavian M. 2020. "Angiotensin-Converting-Enzyme 2 and SARS-CoV2: A Dangerous Liaison." Timisoara_Med 2020, no. 1: 8.
Not implemented
SHARE