Fenofibrate increases the amount of sulfatide which seems beneficial against Covid-19

Med Hypotheses. 2020 Oct;143:110127. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110127. Epub 2020 Jul 21.

Abstract

Fenofibrate, which is a PPAR-alfpha agonist, increases the level of sulfatide. In this letter we hypothesize on the background of various findings that this is beneficial against COVID-19. Fenofibrate has been used for decades against hypercholesterolemia and has no serious side effects. Therefore, a trial giving fenofibrate to patients with corona virus infection is recommended.

Keywords: Corona virus; Fenofibrate; Serine; Sphingolipids; Sulfatide.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aging / blood
  • Betacoronavirus / physiology*
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment
  • Child
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Drug Repositioning
  • Fenofibrate / pharmacology*
  • Fenofibrate / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia / blood
  • Hypercholesterolemia / complications
  • Hypertension / blood
  • Hypertension / complications
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • PPAR alpha / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Pandemics*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Sulfoglycosphingolipids / blood*
  • Virus Internalization

Substances

  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • PPAR alpha
  • PPARA protein, human
  • Sulfoglycosphingolipids
  • Fenofibrate