Statins in COVID-19: is there any foundation?

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Pharmacology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, often leading to death via acute respiratory distress syndrome.
• This syndrome results from an overactive inflammatory response, characterized by elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukins and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).
• Statins are primarily lipid-lowering drugs with known anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the pathophysiological basis for using statins as an adjunctive treatment in COVID-19 patients.
• To explore the potential benefits of statins in mitigating the inflammatory response associated with severe COVID-19.
• To consolidate existing knowledge on statins' effects in inflammatory and infectious diseases for COVID-19 application.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of pathophysiological mechanisms.
• Analysis of statins' pleiotropic and immunomodulatory effects.
• Examination of statins' use in other inflammatory and infectious conditions.

Main Results:

• Statins possess anti-inflammatory properties beneficial in autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis).
• Their immunomodulatory effects have been observed in treating infectious diseases like pneumonia and influenza.
• Pathophysiological evidence suggests statins could counteract the cytokine storm in COVID-19.

Conclusions:

• Statins' anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions provide a strong rationale for their use as adjunctive therapy in COVID-19.
• Further clinical investigation is warranted to confirm the efficacy and safety of statins in managing COVID-19.
• Statins may play a role in reducing the severity and mortality associated with COVID-19-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome.