Nitric oxide can be a possible cure for Covid-19 patients
Although, the fight against the deadly coronavirus continues to rage on, there have been no major successes in developing a vaccine for the same. However, in a recent report, researchers have discovered that nitric oxide, a compound produced naturally in the body, could be a possible cure for Covid-19 patients.
The study further claims that inhaling nitric oxide gas can not only improve the medical condition of the patients, but also contain the spread of the virus.
While positive steps towards developing a vaccine is still underway and scientists and researchers are tirelessly seeking therapies to slow the spread of coronavirus, every new breakthrough in terms of research paves a way for more effective treatments.
What is Nitric Oxide?
Nitric Oxide (NO) is a molecule that is naturally produced by the body. It has anti-inflammatory effects and is a vasodilator that causes blood vessels to widen and stimulates the release of certain hormones, such as insulin and human growth hormone.
Besides that, nitric oxide possesses antiviral and antibacterial properties that regulates infection and inflammation in the patients’ lungs – a major finding during SARS epidemic of 2003.
Following which, the researchers from Uppsala University and Karolinska Institute have now investigated how the novel coronavirus involved in the current pandemic, SARS CoV-2, reacts to the compound.
Currently, nitric oxide has been used on people who suffer with low blood oxygen levels, often as a consequence of acute respiratory distress syndrome.
The role of Nitric Oxide in the treatment of Covid-19
Although, there have been no indication that nitric oxide necessarily improves the chances of survival in people suffering with acute respiratory disease, scientists working on the same did find that nitric oxide impeded the replication of SARS-CoV in 2003, which is why both the deadly viruses have much in common.
Researchers at Uppsala University have found that an effective way of treating SARS-CoV-2 is by understanding the role of nitric oxide in treating the former coronavirus behind the 2003 SARS epidemic.
According to Åke Lundkvist, a professor at Uppsala University, who led the study, says, "To our knowledge, nitric oxide is the only substance shown so far to have a direct effect on SARS-CoV-2".
Since there is still no effective cure for Covid-19, the main emphasis in the treatments tested has been on relieving symptoms and therefore, while nitric oxide has a history of relieving patients of respiratory issues, it is currently the best bid.
Åke Lundkvist states, “Until we get a vaccine that works, our hope is that inhalation of nitric oxide might be an effective form of treatment". He adds by saying, “The dosage and timing of starting treatment probably play an important part in the outcome, and now need to be explored as soon as possible.”
According to Research
While researchers at Uppsala University have found a possible connection between the SARS epidemic of 2003 and the current pandemic i.e. the nitric oxide, studies at the George Washington University also has a similar take where they claim that Nitric oxide treatment can be pivotal in the world's fight against SARS-CoV-2.
According to Adam Friedman, MD, interim chair and professor in the Department of Dermatology at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences and co-senior author of the review, said, "Nitric oxide plays key roles in maintaining normal vascular function and regulating inflammatory cascades that contribute to acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Interventions that are protective against ALI and ARDS can play a critical role for patients and health systems during the pandemic."
Georgetown University has been in close collaboration with Albert Einstein College of Medicine and have been working towards developing nitric oxide-based therapeutics for COVID-19.
How has India been treating Covid-19 till date?
Besides the nitric oxide treatments, India has been battling against the deadly virus is many ways. While there have been no major breakthroughs in finding a treatment and/or developing a clinically approved vaccine for Covid-19.
Originally developed for treatment against Ebola, doses of remdesivir had shown signs of effectiveness. However, according to World Health Organisation (WHO), remdesivir neither shortens the stay of Covid-19 patients in hospital nor reduces the mortality among those infected by SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
Investigational therapies also include the consideration of convalescent plasma in patients with moderate COVID-19 who are not improving.