Endothelial pulsatile shear stress is a backstop for COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Virology
• Medical Technology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 lacks effective viral replication inhibitors and widely tested vaccines.
• Nitric oxide (NO) is known to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro.
• There is a need for safe, effective interventions against SARS-CoV-2, particularly for endothelial manifestations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential of repurposing a wellness technology that increases pulsatile shear stress (PSS) for combating SARS-CoV-2.
• To explore the in vivo antiviral properties of NO induced by PSS.
• To assess the technology's potential to address endothelial dysfunction in COVID-19.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on pulsatile shear stress (PSS) and nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability.
• Analysis of in vitro evidence for NO's antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2.
• Evaluation of the proposed mechanism for PSS to increase NO and exert anti-viral effects in vivo.

Main Results:

• Increased PSS enhances endothelial NO bioavailability.
• In vitro studies suggest NO can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication.
• The review posits that PSS can deliver NO to inhibit the virus in vivo and mitigate COVID-19's endothelial effects.

Conclusions:

• Repurposing wellness technology to increase PSS offers a potential strategy to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication.
• This approach may provide a safe and effective backstop therapy for COVID-19 by leveraging NO's antiviral and endothelial benefits.
• Further in vivo investigation is warranted to confirm the efficacy of PSS-induced NO against SARS-CoV-2.