Extracellular pH, osmolarity, temperature and humidity could discourage SARS-CoV-2 cell docking and propagation via intercellular signaling pathways

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and its virus variants continue to pose a serious and long-lasting threat worldwide. To combat the pandemic, the world's largest COVID-19 vaccination campaign is currently ongoing. As of July 19^th 2021, 26.2% of the world population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (1.04 billion), and one billion has been fully vaccinated, with very high vaccination rates in countries like Israel, Malta, and the UEA. Conversely, only 1% of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose with examples of vaccination frequency as low as 0.07% in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is thus of paramount importance that more research on alternate methods to counter cell infection and propagation is undertaken that could be implemented in low-income countries. Moreover, an adjunctive therapeutic intervention would help to avoid disease exacerbation in high-rate vaccinated countries too. Based on experimental biochemical evidence on viral cell fusion and propagation, herein we identify (i) extracellular pH (epH), (ii) temperature, and (iii) humidity and osmolarity as critical factors. These factors are here in discussed along with their implications on mucus thick layer, proteases, abundance of sialic acid, vascular permeability and exudate/edema. Heated, humidified air containing sodium bicarbonate has long been used in the treatment of certain diseases, and here we argue that warm inhalation of sodium bicarbonate might successfully target these endpoints. Although we highlight the molecular/cellular basis and the signalling pathways to support this intervention, we underscore the need for clinical investigations to encourage further research and clinical trials. In addition, we think that such an approach is also important in light of the high mutation rate of this virus originating from a rapid increase.

Keywords: Economic medical device; Preventive therapy; SARS-CoV-2; User-friendly therapy; Virus infection.

Figure 1. Warm sodium bicarbonate (SB) inhalation modifies airway microenvironment fighting COVID-19 progression.

The treatment contemplates, twice daily, one L of water with 20 g of SB that should be brought to the boil. When heat has been turned off, the head should be placed at 30–40 cm covered with a cloth to breath normally for 15 min.

Figure 2. Warm sodium bicarbonate (SB) inhalation therapy steps that may help to contrast SARS-COV-2 infection and COVID-19 progression.

The therapy may be used as pre-exposure/exposure prophylaxis, as adjunctive therapy (either during SARS-COV2 infection and COVID-19 disease progression) or added in oxygen ventilator devices for severe COVID-19 patients.