Endotheliitis, endothelin, and endothelin receptor blockers in COVID-19

Devang K Sanghavi; Anoop Titus; Thomas R Caulfield; W David Freeman

doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2021.110564

Endotheliitis, endothelin, and endothelin receptor blockers in COVID-19

Med Hypotheses. 2021 May:150:110564. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2021.110564. Epub 2021 Mar 23.

Authors

Devang K Sanghavi¹, Anoop Titus², Thomas R Caulfield³, W David Freeman³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States. Electronic address: sanghavi.devang@mayo.edu.
² Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester, MA, United States. Electronic address: anoop.titus@hotmail.com.
³ Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States.

Abstract

We summarize the role of endothelin as a potent vasoconstrictor, pro-inflammatory, pro-oxidative agent in the pathophysiologic effects and end-organ dysfunction of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Endotheliitis is an under-recognized pathophysiologic process that causes various types of dysfunction in end organs, including heart, lung, kidney, and brain. Endothelin receptor blockers, such as bosentan and sitaxentan, can pave a path ahead in the realm of COVID-19 therapies. These agents have a potential role against COVID-19 and should be studied in research trials to determine their efficacy in treatment of this severe disease.

Keywords: Bosentan; COVID-19; Endotheliitis; Endothelin; Endothelin receptor blockers; Sitaxentan.

MeSH terms

COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
Endothelin Receptor Antagonists / therapeutic use*
Endothelins
Endothelium, Vascular / pathology*
Humans
Receptors, Endothelin
Sulfonamides

Substances

Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
Endothelins
Receptors, Endothelin
Sulfonamides