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The Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist Montelukast as a Potential COVID-19 Therapeutic
Ludwig Aigner1,2,3, Frank Pietrantonio4, Diana Marisa Bessa de Sousa1,2
1Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
Abstract:
The emergence and global impact of COVID-19 has focused the scientific and medical community on the pivotal influential role of respiratory viruses as causes of severe pneumonia, on the understanding of the underlying pathomechanisms, and on potential treatment for COVID-19. The latter concentrates on four different strategies: (i) antiviral treatments to limit the entry of the virus into the cell and its propagation, (ii) anti-inflammatory treatment to reduce the impact of COVID-19 associated inflammation and cytokine storm, (iii) treatment using cardiovascular medication to reduce COVID-19 associated thrombosis and vascular damage, and (iv) treatment to reduce the COVID-19 associated lung injury. Ideally, effective COVID-19 treatment should target as many of these mechanisms as possible arguing for the search of common denominators as potential drug targets. Leukotrienes and their receptors qualify as such targets: they are lipid mediators of inflammation and tissue damage and well-established targets in respiratory diseases like asthma. Besides their role in inflammation, they are involved in various other aspects of lung pathologies like vascular damage, thrombosis, and fibrotic response, in brain and retinal damages, and in cardiovascular disease. In consequence, leukotriene receptor antagonists might be potential candidates for COVID-19 therapeutics. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the potential involvement of leukotrienes in COVID-19, and the rational for the use of the leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast as a COVID-19 therapeutic.
Insights
Leukotriene receptor antagonists, like montelukast, show promise for treating COVID-19. These drugs target inflammation and tissue damage, common in severe respiratory infections.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Virology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- COVID-19, a global health crisis, highlights the impact of respiratory viruses on severe pneumonia.
- Understanding COVID-19's pathomechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatments.
- Current COVID-19 therapeutic strategies include antivirals, anti-inflammatories, cardiovascular drugs, and lung injury treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential role of leukotrienes in COVID-19 pathogenesis.
- To identify common therapeutic targets for COVID-19 by examining underlying mechanisms.
- To evaluate leukotriene receptor antagonists, specifically montelukast, as potential COVID-19 therapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Review of current scientific literature on leukotrienes, COVID-19, and respiratory diseases.
- Analysis of the known functions of leukotrienes in inflammation, vascular damage, thrombosis, and tissue repair.
- Examination of the established role of leukotriene receptor antagonists in managing respiratory conditions like asthma.
Main Results:
- Leukotrienes are lipid mediators involved in inflammation and tissue damage, relevant to COVID-19.
- Leukotriene pathways are implicated in various aspects of lung pathology, including vascular damage and thrombosis.
- Leukotriene receptor antagonists target mechanisms relevant to multiple COVID-19-associated complications.
Conclusions:
- Leukotrienes represent a potential common denominator target for COVID-19 treatment.
- Montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, is a rational candidate for COVID-19 therapy.
- Further research is warranted to validate the efficacy of leukotriene receptor antagonists in COVID-19 treatment.
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