An overview of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection and the importance of molecular hydrogen as an adjunctive therapy

Russell, Grace; Rehman, Mubasher; LeBaron, Tyler W.; Veal, David; Adukwu, Emmanuel; Hancock, John

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 is an emerging β-coronavirus that causes COVID-19 disease that manifests primarily as a pulmonary infection that can rapidly progress into severe and acute respiratory distress in susceptible patients. Initial reports of severe pulmonary infections first arose in December 2019 and were reported to the World Health Organization by the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission, China. Within months SARS-CoV-2 rapidly disseminated across the globe causing an unprecedented pandemic that has reached every inhabited continent and provoked an international response into research involving multiple disciplines to combat this novel contagion. Molecular hydrogen (H2) has shown potential as an emerging and effective therapy for numerous diseases, particularly those which involve excessive production of inflammatory agents as well as reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. Of pertinence to the investigations of SARS-CoV-2 infection are the increasing reports that suggest that H2 has therapeutic qualities in the treatment of chronic inflammatory lung conditions, and as such it is likely that this diatomic gas may alleviate the severe pulmonary symptoms of COVID-19. Here, the aim is to review the current research into SARS-CoV-2 and to better understand how treatment with molecular hydrogen is likely to affect cellular responses during SARS-CoV-2 infection.

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Jun 20, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jul 1, 2020
• Publication Date: Jul 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jun 21, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 2, 2020
• Journal: Reactive Oxygen Species
• Print ISSN: 2380-2367
• Publisher: AIMSCI Cell Med Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 28
• Pages: 150–165
• Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Cytokine Storm; Molecular Hydrogen; Reactive Oxygen Species; Virus
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/6050001
• Publisher URL: https://aimsci.com/ros/index.php/ros/article/view/271