Pandemic aspect of dexamethasone: Molecular mechanisms and clinical application

J Chin Med Assoc. 2021 Mar 1;84(3):245-247. doi: 10.1097/JCMA.0000000000000485.

Abstract

The rapid spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in many countries has caused inconvenience in conducting daily life activities, and even deaths. Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid applied in clinical medicine since 1957, especially in immune therapy fields. Herein, we present the characteristics of Dexamethasone, from molecular mechanisms such as genomic and nongenomic pathways by cellular signal regulations, to clinical applications in various phases of the disease. During COVID-19 pandemic, Dexamethasone given to patients who required oxygen or ventilation therapy showed improved life efficacy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Dexamethasone / pharmacology*
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / physiology
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid
  • Dexamethasone