Medicine for Beginners

  Angiotensin converting enzyme 2   Angiotensin converting enzyme 2, or ACE2, is an exopeptidase expressed primarily by vascular endothelial cells in the heart and kidneys, but also in respiratory epithelia[1] and in the gastrointestinal tract. It is the target of several coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. 2 Biochemistry ACE2 is a transmembrane metallocarboxypeptidase composed of 805 amino acids. Zinc and chloride ions act as cofactors. The extracellular region consists of two domains, a zinc metallopeptidase domain and a C-terminal collectrin homology domain. The enzyme exhibits homology to angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). ACE2 is encoded by the ACE2 gene on the X chromosome (gene locus Xp22.2). In addition to being expressed as a transmembrane protein, a soluble form exists in serum. 3 Function ACE2 cleaves angiotensin II into angiotensin (1-7), which has anti-inflammatory and lung protective effects via MAS and AT2 receptors. 4 Clinical 4.1 Infec

Medical studies prove that corona viruses enter the human cells through a receptor called Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2. ACE2 is an exopeptidase which is found on the cell membrane of vessels of the heart or kidneys, also in respiratory cells epithelium and gastrointestinal tract cells. ACE-blockers are long known in medicine and are used for  antihypertensive therapy. Could those antihypertensive drugs be used in the treatment of covid is a question that makes us curious. Until now there are not enough studies that could answer this question, but the therapy with ACE-blockers, angiotensin 2 receptor blockers, ASS and betablockers for heart patients with covid infection is considered to be protective.  Could we use ACE-blockers as virostatic therapy for covid? In my opinion we should at least try.