The potential role of inhaled nitric oxide for postexposure chemoprophylaxis of COVID-19

Antoine AbdelMassih; Rafeef Hozaien; Meryam El Shershaby; Aya Kamel; Habiba-Allah Ismail; Mariem Arsanyous; Nadine El-Husseiny; Noha Khalil; Youstina Naeem; Raghda Fouda

doi:10.1186/s43141-021-00249-5

The potential role of inhaled nitric oxide for postexposure chemoprophylaxis of COVID-19

J Genet Eng Biotechnol. 2021 Oct 22;19(1):165. doi: 10.1186/s43141-021-00249-5.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Pediatric Cardiology unit, Pediatrics' Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. antoine.abdelmassih@kasralainy.edu.eg.
² Pediatric Cardio-Oncology Department, Children Cancer Hospital of Egypt, Cairo, 57357, Egypt. antoine.abdelmassih@kasralainy.edu.eg.
³ Research Accessibility Team, Student and Internship research program Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
⁴ Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
⁵ Pixagon Graphic Design Agency, Cairo, Egypt.
⁶ Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Several vaccines have been fast-tracked in an attempt to decrease the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19. However, post-exposure prophylaxis has been overlooked in battling COVID-19.

Main text: Inhaled nitric oxide is a potential tool in post-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19. It decreases cytosolic calcium levels, which impairs the action of Furin. SARS-CoV-2 uses Furin to replicate in the respiratory tract.

Short conclusion: Inhaled nitric oxide could decrease the viral load in the upper respiratory tract, abort clinically symptomatic infection, and prevent subsequent complications. Nitric oxide might be a tool for post-exposure chemoprophylaxis in at-risk groups, especially medical personnel.