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Coagulopathy associated with COVID-19 - Perspectives & Preventive strategies using a biological response modifier
Nobunao Ikewaki1,2, Kosagi-Sharaf Rao3, Armando Durant Archibold3
1Department of Medical Life Science, Kyushu University of Health and Welfare, Nobeoka, Miyazaki Japan.
Insights
Beta glucan supplementation may reduce severe COVID-19 and mortality by modulating the immune system and preventing coagulopathy. This approach offers a potential preventative strategy for vulnerable populations at risk of thrombotic complications.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Hematology
Background:
- COVID-19 mortality is linked to viral endothelial injury and immune-mediated cytokine storm, leading to dysregulated clotting.
- Individual risk for thrombotic complications varies due to comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease) and ethnic factors.
- Current prognostic markers like D-dimer and prothrombin are assessed upon admission, lacking pre-hospitalization preventive strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of beta glucan supplementation as an immune modulator to mitigate severe COVID-19.
- To assess beta glucan's role in preventing coagulopathy and reducing mortality, particularly in vulnerable populations.
- To propose a prophylactic strategy against thromboembolic complications in COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on COVID-19 pathophysiology, immune dysregulation, and coagulopathy.
- Analysis of the immunological effects of beta glucan as a biological response modifier.
- Perspective-based evaluation of beta glucan's potential in managing COVID-19-associated thrombotic risks.
Main Results:
- Direct endothelial injury and cytokine storm-induced coagulopathy are key drivers of COVID-19 mortality.
- Immune dysregulation underlies COVID-19's thrombotic complications, with varying risks across populations.
- Beta glucan demonstrates immune-modulating properties relevant to mitigating severe disease and coagulopathy.
Conclusions:
- Regular beta glucan supplementation may offer a preventative approach to reduce severe COVID-19 outcomes.
- Targeting immune modulation with beta glucan could be crucial for managing coagulopathy in vulnerable groups.
- Further research into beta glucan's prophylactic role against COVID-19-related thromboembolic events is warranted.
Abstract:
Direct endothelial injury by viruses and dysregulation of clotting mechanisms due to cytokine storm are the major precipitating factors of mortality in COVID-19; both are attributed to a fundamental dysregulation of the immune system. While immune dysregulation can be attributed to several factors, the risk of associated thrombogenic disruption varies across individuals. This variation depends on several factors, such as comorbidities, including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. When considering ethnic variations, the vulnerability of Caucasians, African Americans and Hispanics needs to be addressed before arriving at strategies to handle thromboembolic complications, which have been identified in recent reports as the leading causes of mortality in COVID-19. Although evaluation of D-dimer and prothrombin during admission is considered to predict prognosis and mortality, there are no preventive or prophylactic strategies before hospital admission. Herein, we present our perspectives on the effect of regular supplementation with the biological response modifier beta glucan based on its relevance to immune modulation. This effect is of paramount importance in decreasing the development of severe COVID-19 and reducing mortality against the background of coagulopathy, especially in vulnerable populations.
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