Renal consequences of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and hydrogen sulfide as a potential therapy

George J Dugbartey; Karl K Alornyo; Bright O Ohene; Vincent Boima; Sampson Antwi; Alp Sener

doi:10.1016/j.niox.2022.01.002

Renal consequences of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and hydrogen sulfide as a potential therapy

Nitric Oxide. 2022 Mar 1:120:16-25. doi: 10.1016/j.niox.2022.01.002. Epub 2022 Jan 13.

Authors

George J Dugbartey¹, Karl K Alornyo², Bright O Ohene², Vincent Boima³, Sampson Antwi⁴, Alp Sener⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana. Electronic address: profduu@yahoo.com.
² Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
³ Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
⁴ Department of Child Health, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana.
⁵ Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, London Health Sciences Center, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Matthew Mailing Center for Translational Transplant Studies, London Health Sciences Center, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Multi-organ Transplant Program, London Health Sciences Center, Ontario, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.

Abstract

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a global pandemic which is primarily considered a respiratory illness. However, emerging reports show that the virus exhibits both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary manifestations in humans, with the kidney as a major extra-pulmonary target due to its abundant expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane protease serine 2, which facilitate entry of the virus into cells. Acute kidney injury has become prevalent in COVID-19 patients without prior any history of kidney dysfunction. In addition, the virus also worsens kidney conditions and increases mortality of COVID-19 patients with pre-existing chronic kidney disease, renal cancer, diabetic nephropathy, end-stage kidney disease as well as dialysis and kidney transplant patients. In the search for antiviral agents for the treatment of COVID-19, hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), the third established member of gasotransmitter family, is emerging as a potential candidate, possessing important therapeutic properties including antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic and antioxidant properties. A recent clinical study revealed higher serum H₂S levels in survivors of COVID-19 pneumonia with reduced interleukin-6 levels compared to fatal cases. In this review, we summarize the global impact of COVID-19 on kidney conditions and discuss the emerging role of H₂S as a potential COVID-19 therapy.

Keywords: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2); Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); H(2)S donors; Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S); Kidney; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Antiviral Agents / chemistry
Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
COVID-19 / virology
COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
Humans
Hydrogen Sulfide / chemistry
Hydrogen Sulfide / pharmacology*
Kidney Diseases / drug therapy*
Kidney Diseases / virology
SARS-CoV-2 / drug effects*

Substances

Antiviral Agents
Hydrogen Sulfide