COVID-19心脏损伤的机制及防治策略

2019新型冠状病毒(2019-nCoV)以血管紧张素转换酶2(ACE2)为受体侵入细胞引起机体感染,所引起的"细胞因子风暴"是2019冠状病毒病(COVID-19)爆发和死亡的重要原因。临床资料显示,2019-nCoV除了累及呼吸系统外,还伴随着心脏损伤,如急性心肌损伤、心律失常和爆发性心肌炎等。文章主要阐述2019-nCoV对心脏损伤的主要表现和发病机制及其相关防治策略。     

Local Inhibition of Angiotensin II Formation and Bradykinin Degradation in Isolated Hearts

ABSTRACT

The interaction of the converting enzyme (CE)-inhibitor ramipril and the bradykinin (BK)-antagonist D-Arg-[Hyp⁵,Thi^5,8,D-Phe⁷]BK with angiotensin I (ANG), ANG II and BK were studied in isolated hearts of rats and guinea pigs.

In isolated working rat hearts perfusion with ANG I and ANG II reduced cardiac function and coronary flow, increased the activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) in the perfusate, decreased high-energy rich phosphates and glycogen in the myocardium and increased duration and incidence of postischemic reperfusion arrhythmias. BK on the other hand reduced LDH and CK activities, improved metabolic parameters in the myocardium and reduced reperfusion arrhythmias.

In isolated rat hearts pretreatment with ramipril protected against reperfusion arrhythmias and reduced enzyme activities of LDH and CK in the coronary effluent. Cardiodynamic parameters and coronary flow improved and myocardial tissue levels of glycogen, ATP and creatine phosphate (CP) were elevated. Almost identical changes were seen during perfusion with BK. The cardioprotective effects produced by both, the CE-inhibitor and BK, were completely abolished when the BK-antagonist was added to the perfusate, while a smaller inhibition was obtained by indomethacin perfusion.

In isolated guinea pig hearts BK increased coronary flow. Single-dose oral pretreatment with ramipril potentiated, whereas perfusion with the BK-antagonist abolished this effect.

These data add support to the hypothesis that local inhibition of CE = kininase II contributes to the beneficial effects of CE-inhibitors in the heart.     

Increased Serum Mir-150-3p Expression Is Associated with Radiological Lung Injury Improvement in Patients with COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for an atypical pneumonia that can progress to acute lung injury. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that control specific genes and pathways. This study evaluated the association between circulating miRNAs and lung injury associated with COVID-19. Methods: We evaluated lung injury by computed tomography at hospital admission and discharge and the serum expression of 754 miRNAs using the TaqMan OpenArray after hospital discharge in 27 patients with COVID-19. In addition, miR-150-3p was validated by qRT-PCR on serum samples collected at admission and after hospital discharge. Results: OpenArray analysis revealed that seven miRNAs were differentially expressed between groups of patients without radiological lung improvement compared to those with lung improvement at hospital discharge, with three miRNAs being upregulated (miR-548c-3p, miR-212-3p, and miR-548a-3p) and four downregulated (miR-191-5p, miR-151a-3p, miR-92a-3p, and miR-150-3p). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that five of these miRNAs had binding sites in the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Validation of miR-150-3p by qRT-PCR confirmed the OpenArray results. Conclusions: The present study shows the potential association between the serum expression of seven miRNAs and lung injury in patients with COVID-19. Furthermore, increased expression of miR-150 was associated with pulmonary improvement at hospital discharge.     

血管紧张素转换酶基因多态性与血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂疗效的相关性

目的　研究原发性高血压 (EH)患者的血管紧张素转换酶 (ACE)基因多态性与血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂 (ACEI)疗效的相关性。方法　 ( 1)用ACEI对 5 17例EH患者进行为期 6周的降压治疗 ,所用药物为咪达普利或苯那普利。 ( 2 )用聚合酶链反应 (PCR)方法检测患者的ACE基因多态性 ,ACE基因有 3种表现型 :II型、DD型和DI型。 ( 3 )治疗前后及治疗过程中对患者的收缩压、舒张压和心率进行监测。结果　 ( 1)在总共 5 17例患者中 ,ACE基因型为DD者有 13 2人( 2 5 5 % ) ,II者有 13 0人 ( 2 5 2 % ) ,ID者有 2 5 5人 ( 4 9 3 % )。 ( 2 )不同基因型组间的性别、年龄、体重指数及心率等的差异无统计学意义。 ( 3 )在这三组患者中 ,治疗前后收缩压的降幅分别为 ( -14 5± 12 7)mmHg ,( -14 3± 13 1)mmHgand( -14 0± 12 2 )mmHg (P =0 94) ,舒张压的降幅分别为 ( -8 7± 7 4)mmHg ,( -8 7± 7 7)mmHgand ( -8 5± 6 7)mmHg (P =0 96)。结论　本研究没有发现EH患者的ACE基因多态性与ACEI的降压疗效相关 ,据此 ,不能根据EH患者的ACE基因型来指导ACEI的降压治疗     

Aspirin alters arterial function in patients with chronic heart failure treated with ACE inhibitors: a dose-mediated deleterious effect

BACKGROUND: By inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis, aspirin can interfere with both arterial functional and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) properties and be deleterious in chronic heart failure (CHF). AIM: Our aim was to prospectively evaluate the effect of aspirin on arterial functional properties in CHF patients treated with ACEIs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Over three consecutive treatment periods of 7 days, 18 patients received placebo, followed by aspirin 100 mg/day, and then aspirin 325 mg/day. Single blind prospective assessment of reflected wave and time reflection by radial applanation tonometry; pulse wave velocity; blood pressure; thromboxane B2 (TxB2) and prostaglandins in plasma and urine was performed. Aspirin 325 mg/day induced a significant increase in augmentation index of reflected wave (P<0.0001 and P=0.0013 vs. placebo and aspirin 100 mg, respectively) and a significant decrease in reflected wave traveling times (P=0.0007 vs. placebo). Aspirin 100 mg/day produced a similar, though non-significant, trend in these parameters compared with placebo. Both aspirin treatments produced a statistically significant decrease in serum TxB2 (P<0.0001) but did not have an effect on the metabolite of prostaglandin I2 (P=0.136). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the existence of a dose-mediated deleterious effect of aspirin upon arterial functional properties in CHF patients treated with ACEI.     

Insulin resistance in COVID-19 and diabetes

BackgroundThe epidemiology of COVID-19 and its association with cardiometabolic disorders is poorly understood. This is a narrative review that investigates the effects of COVID-19 infection on insulin resistance in patients with diabetes.MethodsAn online search of all published literature was done via PubMed and Google Scholar using the MeSH terms “COVID-19,” “SARS-CoV-2,” “coronavirus,” “insulin resistance,” and “diabetes.” Only articles that were directly applicable to insulin resistance in COVID-19 and diabetes was reviewed.ResultsCurrent data shows an increased risk of mortality in patients with diabetes and COVID-19 compared to those without diabetes. COVID-19 triggers insulin resistance in patients, causing chronic metabolic disorders that were non-existent prior to infection.ConclusionPatients with diabetes are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection than those without diabetes. ACE2 expression decreases with infection, exaggerating Ang II activity with subsequent insulin resistance development, an exaggerated immune response and severe SARS-COV-2 infection.     

Renin-Angiotensin System Blockers and the Risk of COVID-19–Related Mortality in Patients with Kidney Failure

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新型冠状病毒与血管紧张素转换酶2对心血管系统的影响

自2019年12月起,爆发由新型冠状病毒(SARS-CoV-2)感染的新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19),疫情迅速蔓延至全球。COVID-19以呼吸系统症状为主,但部分病例出现心血管系统损害。合并心血管系统基础疾病患者,会导致死亡率增加。SARS-CoV-2属于冠状病毒科β冠状病毒属,SARS-CoV-2与严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒具有79.5%的同源性,通过受体血管紧张素转换酶2(ACE2)入侵人体细胞。而表达ACE2的Ⅱ型肺上皮细胞是SARS-CoV-2感染的主要靶细胞。因此,了解SARS-CoV-2所致心血管系统损害及相关的机制,对SARS-CoV-2疫苗和药物的研制及降低病死率具有重要的意义。     

Inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme cannot prevent increases in angiotensin II production in coronary circulation

OBJECTIVE—To determine whether inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) can prevent angiotensin II production in the coronary circulation induced by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in patients with myocardial ischaemia.
DESIGN, PATIENTS—41 patients who underwent elective PTCA and six control subjects who received diagnostic coronary angiography were studied. Patients were divided into two groups according to the chronic administration of ACE inhibitors (group A, 15 patients treated with ACE inhibitors; group B, 26 patients without ACE inhibitors). Blood samples were drawn through catheters placed in the aorta and coronary sinus before and 24 hours after PTCA.
RESULTS—Mean levels of ACE activity in the aorta were significantly lower in patients in group A than in group B. However, mean angiotensin II concentrations in the aorta were not significantly different between the two groups. Differences in basal angiotensin II concentrations between the coronary sinus and aorta, which reflected basal angiotensin II production in the coronary circulation, were not significant among group A, group B, and control subjects. The production of angiotensin II in the coronary circulation was significantly increased 24 hours after PTCA in both group A and group B to the same extent. No significant changes were observed in control subjects 24 hours after diagnostic coronary angiography.
CONCLUSIONS—This study revealed that inhibition of ACE activity by ACE inhibitors could not prevent increases in angiotensin II production in the coronary circulation induced by PTCA.


Keywords: angiotensin converting enzyme; chymase; angioplasty     

血管紧张素转化酶基因多态性与高血压病人胰岛素抵抗相关性的研究

目的　探讨血管紧张素转化酶 (ACE)基因多态性 ,血管紧张素原 (AGT)基因突变与高血压及胰岛素抵抗的关系。方法　用聚合酶链反应 (PCR)检测 76例原发性高血压及 2 8例正常血压者的ACE基因插入 /缺失 (I/D)多态性及AGT基因位点突变 ,同时进行口服葡萄糖耐量及胰岛素释放试验 ,以空腹血糖及空腹胰岛素乘积倒数的对数值(ISI) ,胰岛素曲线下面积IS AUC作为胰岛素敏感性指标。结果　 (1)ACE基因多态性在高血压和正常血压组无显著性差异 ,而AGTT2 35等位基因频率在高血压组高于正常对照组 (0 4 3vs0 32 ,P <0 0 5 )。 (2 )无论是高血压还是正常血压者ACE基因DD型者的ISI均明显低于ID和II型 ,IS AUC显著高于ID和II型〔ISI:- 4 31± 0 2 0vs -3 6 3± 0 2 2和 - 3 2 7± 0 2 4 ,P <0 0 1;IS(AUC) :2 11 1± 5 6 8vs 135 7± 5 4 7、12 6 8± 5 1 7mu·L-1,P <0 0 1〕 ,而AGT基因T2 35 ,T174基因突变与胰岛素抵抗无关 (P >0 0 5 )。结论　ACE基因DD型而非AGT基因可能参与高血压病人及正常血压者胰岛素抵抗的基因调节 ,这可能是ACE基因DD型易发生心血管危险的机制之一     

Cathepsin L,transmembrane peptidase/serine subfamily member 2/4, and other host proteases in COVID-19 pathogenesis – with impact on gastrointestinal tract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) seems to employ two routes of entrance to the host cell; via membrane fusion (with the cells expressing both angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane peptidase/serine subfamily member 2/4 (TMPRSS2/4)) or via receptor-mediated endocytosis (to the target cells expressing only ACE2). The second mode is associated with cysteine cathepsins (probably cathepsin L) involvement in the virus spike protein (S protein) proteolytic activation. Also furin might activate the virus S protein enabling it to enter cells. Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) involvement in SARS-CoV-2 infection is evident in a subset of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients exhibiting GIT symptoms, such as diarrhea, and presenting viral-shedding in feces. Considering the abundance and co-localization of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the lower GIT (especially brush-border enterocytes), these two receptors seem to be mainly involved in SARS-CoV-2 invasion of the digestive tract. Additionally, in vitro studies have demonstrated the virions capability of infection and replication in the human epithelial cells lining GIT. However, also furin and cysteine cathepsins (cathepsin L) might participate in the activation of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein contributing to the virus invasiveness within GIT. Moreover, cathepsin L (due to its involvement in extracellular matrix components degradation and remodeling, the processes enhanced during SARS-CoV-2-induced inflammation) might be responsible for the dysregulation of absorption/ digestion functions of GIT, thus adding to the observed in some COVID-19 patients symptoms such as diarrhea.     

Pharmacological Studies in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in Belgium: We Could Do Better

Belgium has actively participated in clinical research on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) since the beginning of the pandemic to help identify effective and safe treatments for COVID-19. The objective of this review is to provide a picture of the clinical studies carried out in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Belgium. We collected data on all randomized, interventional trials in patients with COVID-19 that were registered on two recognized clinical trial registers, started enrollment before 31 December 2021, and included at least one patient in a Belgian center. Data were collected concerning the therapies investigated and the nature of the trials performed. Thirty-three hospitals (32% of all Belgian hospitals) participated in at least one of 28 trials (13 sponsored by the industry and 15 by academic centers) on therapeutics for COVID-19 in hospitalized patients: 7 (25%) evaluated antivirals, 17 (61%) immunomodulators, 2 (7%) anti-coagulants, and 1 (3%) nitric oxide to improve respiratory function. Nineteen (68%) were phase II trials. Only three (11%) of the trials were international platform trials. Despite numerous trials, less than 3% of all Belgian patients hospitalized with COVID-19 participated in a clinical trial on therapeutics. As in many other countries, more efforts could have been made to avoid running small, under-powered, mono- or bicenter trials, to create better collaboration between the different Belgian hospitals, and to participate in more international clinical trials, and more specifically in adaptive, platform trials.     

Demographic and clinical characteristics of pediatric COVID-19 in Arkansas: March–December 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic reached the United States in early 2020 and spread rapidly across the country. This retrospective study describes the demographic and clinical characteristics of 308 children presenting to an Arkansas Children’s emergency department (ED) or admitted to an Arkansas Children’s hospital with COVID-19 in the first 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, prior to the emergence of clinically significant variants and available vaccinations. Adolescents aged 13 and older represented the largest proportion of this population. The most common presenting symptoms were fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, and upper respiratory symptoms. Patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) had a longer length of stay (LOS) than patients with acute COVID-19. Children from urban zip codes had lower odds of admission but were more likely to be readmitted after discharge. Nearly twenty percent of the study population incidentally tested positive for COVID-19. Despite lower mortality in children with COVID than in adults, morbidity and resource utilization are significant. With many Arkansas children living in rural areas and therefore far from pediatric hospitals, community hospitals should be prepared to evaluate children presenting with COVID-19 and to determine which children warrant transport to pediatric-specific facilities.     

Influence of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers on the risk of all‐cause mortality and other clinical outcomes in patients with confirmed COVID‐19: A systemic review and meta‐analysis

Since the COVID‐19 pandemic, physicians concerned about the potential adverse effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). To explore the relationship between ACEIs/ARBs and the risk of mortality and other clinical outcomes in COVID‐19 patients, the authors conducted a systemic review and meta‐analysis. An electronic search was performed from inception to November 12, 2020 in PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials, TRIP, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, and CBM database. Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk Of Bias In Non‐randomized Studies of Interventions tool. The primary outcome was in‐hospital all‐cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included all‐cause mortality measured at 30‐day or longer term, mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay, readmission, and cardiac adverse events. A total of 28 studies with 73 465 patients was included. Twenty‐two studies with 19 871 patients reported the incidence of all‐cause mortality. Results showed no association between using ACEIs/ARBs and risk of mortality crude odds ratio （OR） of 1.02, 95% CI 0.71–1.46, p = .90, I ² = 88%, adjusted OR in 6260 patients of 0.96, 95% CI 0.77–1.18, p = .68, I ² = 0%. While six studies with 10 030 patients reported a lower risk of mortality in ACEIs/ARBs group hazard ratio (HR) of 0.53, 95% CI 0.34–0.84, p = .007, I ² = 68%. Similar association (for HR) was found in hypertension subgroup. There was no significant association for the secondary outcomes. Based on the available data, we concluded that ACEIs/ARBs is not associated with the risk of in‐hospital all‐cause mortality in COVID‐19 patients, but may be associated with a decreased risk of 30‐day all‐cause mortality. Patients with hypertension may benefit from using ACEIs/ARBs.     

Clinical implications of COVID-19 in patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease

People across the world are affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), brought on by the SARS-CoV type-2 coronavirus. Due to its high incidence in individuals with diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), COVID-19 has gained much attention. The metabolic syndrome's hepatic manifestation, MAFLD, carries a significant risk of type-2-diabetes. The link between the above two conditions has also drawn increasing consideration since MAFLD is intricately linked to the obesity epidemic. Independent of the metabolic syndrome, MAFLD may impact the severity of the viral infections, including COVID-19 or may even be a risk factor. An important question is whether the present COVID-19 pandemic has been fueled by the obesity and MAFLD epidemics. Many liver markers are seen elevated in COVID-19. MAFLD patients with associated comorbid conditions like obesity, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, malignancy, hypertension, and old age are prone to develop severe disease. There is an urgent need for more studies to determine the link between the two conditions and whether it might account for racial differences in the mortality and morbidity rates linked to COVID-19. The role of innate and adaptive immunity alterations in MAFLD patients may influence the severity of COVID-19. This review investigates the implications of COVID-19 on liver injury and disease severity and vice-versa. We also addressed the severity of COVID-19 in patients with prior MAFLD and its potential implications and therapeutic administration in the clinical setting.     

Management of hypertension in COVID-19

The ACE2 receptor plays a central role in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 host cell entry and propagation. It has therefore been postulated that angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers may upregulate ACE2 expression and thus increase susceptibility to infection. We suggest that alternative anti-hypertensive agents should be preferred among individuals who may be exposed to this increasingly common and potentially lethal virus.     

Pathophysiological mechanisms underlying gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with COVID-19

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and anorexia, are frequently observed in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the pathophysiological mechanisms connecting these GI symptoms to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections remain elusive. Previous studies indicate that the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into intestinal cells leads to downregulation of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors resulting in impaired barrier function. While intestinal ACE2 functions as a chaperone for the amino acid transporter B0AT1, the B0AT1/ACE2 complex within the intestinal epithelium acts as a regulator of gut microbiota composition and function. Alternations to the B0AT1/ACE2 complex lead to microbial dysbiosis through increased local and systemic immune responses. Previous studies have also suggested that altered serotonin metabolism may be the underlying cause of GI disorders involving diarrhea. The findings of elevated plasma serotonin levels and high fecal calprotectin in COVID-19 patients with diarrhea indicate that the viral infection evokes a systemic inflammatory response that specifically involves the GI. Interestingly, the elevated proinflammatory cytokines correlate with elevated serotonin and fecal calprotectin levels further supporting the evidence of GI inflammation, a hallmark of functional GI disorders. Moreover, the finding that rectal swabs of COVID-19 patients remain positive for SARS-CoV-2 even after the nasopharynx clears the virus, suggests that viral replication and shedding from the GI tract may be more robust than that of the respiratory tract, further indicating fecal-oral transmission as another important route of viral spread. This review summarized the evidence for pathophysiological mechanisms (impaired barrier function, gut inflammation, altered serotonin metabolism and gut microbiota dysbiosis) underlying the GI symptoms in patients with COVID-19.     

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers may be harmful in patients with diabetes during COVID-19 pandemic

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak once again demonstrated the importance of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in patients with diabetes. Activation of the RAS increases in patients with diabetes. The virus attaches to the ACE2 enzyme at low cytosolic pH values and enters into the cell and causes infection. Especially in the presence of diabetes mellitus and accompanying comorbid conditions such as hypertension, obesity, old age, and smoking, cytosolic pH is low, thus the virus easily may enter the cell by attaching to ACE2. ACEIs and ARBs lead to a reduction in angiotensin II level by increasing the ACE2 level, thus they cause a low cytosolic pH. Increased cardiac ACE2 levels due to ACEIs and ARBs can trigger cardiac arrhythmias and myocarditis by causing the virus to easily enter the heart tissue. There is ACE2 activity in the rostral ventrolateral medulla in the brain stem. The release of angiotensin 1-7 in the brain stem leads to the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This activation causes systemic vasoconstriction and the patient’s blood pressure increases. The most important event is the increased sympathetic activity via the central stimulation, this activity increases pulmonary capillary leaking, causing the ARDS. As the cytosolic pH, which is already low in patients with diabetes will decrease further with the mechanisms mentioned above, the viral load will increase and the infection will be exacerbated. As a result, the use of ACEIs and ARBs in patients with diabetes can lead to increased morbidity and mortality of COVID-19.