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. 2020 Jul;29(7):964-972.
doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2020.05.004. Epub 2020 May 25.

COVID-19 - Does This Disease Kill Due to Imbalance of the Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) Caused by Genetic and Gender Differences in the Response to Viral ACE 2 Attack?

Ruth H Arnold  1
Affiliations

COVID-19 - Does This Disease Kill Due to Imbalance of the Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) Caused by Genetic and Gender Differences in the Response to Viral ACE 2 Attack?

Ruth H Arnold. Heart Lung Circ. 2020 Jul.

Abstract

Debate continues in the medical literature on the role of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathophysiology and the implications for the use of cardiovascular drugs acting on the RAS. Could these drugs - which include angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptors blockers (ARBs) - be harmful or potential key therapeutic agents in COVID-19? And, could potentially helpful measures be available and in plain view on the pharmacy shelf?

Keywords: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors; Angiotensin receptor blockers; COVID 19; Neprilysin; Renin angiotensin system; Vitamin D.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Renin angiotensin system showing the balance between angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE-2. Diagram from Patel et al. Circ Res 2016 [21].
Figure 2
Figure 2
ACE2 favourable role in cardiovascular disease, mediated by Ang1-7. Diagram from Patel et al. Circ Res 2016 [21].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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