GABA and GABAergic dysfunction in COVID-19: Piecing the puzzle with targeting immunity and several inflammatory
Hamza M A Eid1, Hayder M Al-Kuraishy2, Ali I Al-Gareeb3
1Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah 42353, Saudi Arabia.
None:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic disease caused by a new type of respiratory virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The primary factors contributing to inflammatory and immunological diseases in patients with severe COVID-19 are primarily attributed to the excessive activation of T cells and macrophages, resulting in the massive release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukins and chemokines. Studies have indicated that the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) possesses anti-inflammatory properties in mitigating certain inflammatory disorders. It has been shown that inflammation and oxidative stress caused by COVID-19 infection may lead to a disruption of GABAergic neurotransmission in COVID-19 patients. GABA and GABA agonists could be potential successful treatments for the management of COVID-19 by inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory pathways such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and the nod-like receptor pyrin 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to discuss the potential role of GABA and GABA agonists in the alleviation of inflammatory disorders caused by COVID-19.
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