Med Hypotheses . The possible immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in coronavirus disease patients

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Med Hypotheses


. 2020 Jul 26;144:110140.
doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110140. Online ahead of print.
The possible immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in coronavirus disease patients


Mohammed Gaber Mohamed Hamed ¹ , Radwa Samir Hagag ²



Affiliations

• PMID: 32768893
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110140

Abstract

While researchers are struggling to develop a vaccine for coronavirus disease, it is important to evolve effective therapeutic strategies to save lives. The majority of coronavirus disease deaths are due to pneumonia. Mostly, stress and depression are associated with coronavirus disease infection and thus, resulting in weakening of patients' immune response and hence, more severe respiratory symptoms or even death. We propose using a class of antidepressants named selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for their reported potential antiviral effect, modulatory effect of respiratory symptoms, antioxidant properties and immunoregulatory effects beside their main action as antidepressant. In addition, the low cost of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors might add a benefit for coronavirus disease patients.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cytokines; Depression; Pneumonia; SSRIs.