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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Extracellular pH, osmolarity, temperature and humidity could discourage SARS-CoV-2 cell docking and propagation via intercellular signaling pathways

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Author(s):
Cicconetti, Franco [1] ; Sestili, Piero [2] ; Madiai, Valeria [3] ; Albertini, Maria Cristina [2] ; Campanella, Luigi [4] ; Coppari, Sofia [2] ; Fraternale, Daniele [2] ; Saunders, Bryan [5, 6] ; Teodori, Laura [3]
Total Authors: 9
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Roma La Sapienza, Dept Emergency DEA Surg, Rome - Italy
[2] Univ Urbino, Dept Biomol Sci, Urbino - Italy
[3] ENEA, FSN TECFIS DIM, Lab Diagnost & Metrol, Frascati - Italy
[4] Univ Roma La Sapienza, Dept Chem, Rome - Italy
[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Appl Physiol & Nutr Res Grp, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[6] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med FMUSP, Inst Orthopaed & Traumatol, Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 6
Document type: Journal article
Source: PeerJ; v. 9, OCT 11 2021.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and its virus variants continue to pose a serious and long-lasting threat worldwide. To combat the pandemic, the world's largest COVID-19 vaccination campaign is currently ongoing. As of July 19th 2021, 26.2% of the world population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (1.04 billion), and one billion has been fully vaccinated, with very high vaccination rates in countries like Israel, Malta, and the UEA. Conversely, only 1% of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose with examples of vaccination frequency as low as 0.07% in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is thus of paramount importance that more research on alternate methods to counter cell infection and propagation is undertaken that could be implemented in low-income countries. Moreover, an adjunctive therapeutic intervention would help to avoid disease exacerbation in high-rate vaccinated countries too. Based on experimental biochemical evidence on viral cell fusion and propagation, herein we identify (i) extracellular pH (epH), (ii) temperature, and (iii) humidity and osmolarity as critical factors. These factors are here in discussed along with their implications on mucus thick layer, proteases, abundance of sialic acid, vascular permeability and exudate/edema. Heated, humidified air containing sodium bicarbonate has long been used in the treatment of certain diseases, and here we argue that warm inhalation of sodium bicarbonate might successfully target these endpoints. Although we highlight the molecular/cellular basis and the signalling pathways to support this intervention, we underscore the need for clinical investigations to encourage further research and clinical trials. In addition, we think that such an approach is also important in light of the high mutation rate of this virus originating from a rapid increase. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 16/50438-0 - Nutritional suplementation and exercise to optimize exercise performance: focus on individual responses and a step towards personalized sports nutrition
Grantee:Bryan Saunders
Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants