The role of fenofibrate in the treatment of COVID-19

Farah Yasmin; Muhammad Hamayl Zeeshan; Irfan Ullah

doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102974

The role of fenofibrate in the treatment of COVID-19

Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2022 Feb:74:102974. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102974. Epub 2021 Nov 3.

Authors

Farah Yasmin¹, Muhammad Hamayl Zeeshan¹, Irfan Ullah²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
² Department of Community Medicine, Kabir Medical College (Gandhara University), Peshawar, Pakistan.

Abstract

In December 2019, a severe pneumonia-like illness emerged in the city of Wuhan, China which inevitably led to the Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Due to the increase in infectivity and mortality caused by the virus, multiple therapeutic regimens are being suggested in order to help tackle this problem. The infectivity of SARS-CoV2 virus is due to its ability to attach itself to the ACE II receptors on the host cells via its viral spike protein (S protein) and inducing its entry into the target cell. The effects of the drug, Fenofibrate on the ACE II receptors and also, how the pharmaceutical properties of this drug can help prevent viral entry and eventually, reduce severity in COVID-19 patients. Since this drug has a good profile and is relatively safe to use, the risk-to-benefit analysis is positive and can be beneficial for patients infected with severe SARS-CoV2 infection.

Keywords: COVID-19; Fenofibrate.