Coronavirus Disease-2019 Conundrum: RAS Blockade and Geriatric-Associated Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Aline Silva de Miranda
Antonio Lucio Teixeira- 1Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Investigação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- 2Laboratório de Neurobiologia, Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- 3Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa Santa Casa BH, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- 4Neuropsychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which primarily targets the human respiratory system and may lead to severe pneumonia and ultimately death. Mortality rate is particurlarly high among people beyond the sixth decade of life with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The discovery that the SARS-CoV-2 uses the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) component ACE2 as a receptor to invade host epithelial cells and cause organs damage resulted in a debate regarding the role of ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) therapies during COVID-19 pandemic. Some authors proposed the discontinuation of ACEIs and ARBs for cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic diseases, while expert opinions have discouraged that due to limited empirical evidence of their negative effect on COVID-19 outcomes, and that withdrawing treatment may contribute to clinical decompensation in high-risk patients. Moreover, as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases are associated with neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, especially among older adults, a critical appraisal of the potential positive effects of ACEIs and ARBs is highly needed. Herein, we aim to discuss the conundrum of ACEIs and ARBs use in high-risk patients for COVID-19, and their potential protective role on the development and/or progression of geriatric neuropsychiatric disorders.
Introduction
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19, named by WHO on Feb 11, 2020) outbreak was officially reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and rapidly reached a pandemic status (1–3). The COVID-19 is caused by a novel positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (2, 4). Similar to other coronavirus like the SARS-CoV-1, the novel SARS-CoV-2 primarily targets the human respiratory system and may cause severe pneumonia and ultimately death. The mortality rate ranges from 2 to 4% of the cases, being particurlarly high among those beyond the sixth decade of life with cardiovascular (CVD) and metabolic diseases like diabetes (5–7). Less severe clinical manifestations include fever, fatigue, chills, dry cough, rhinorrhoea, sneezing, and sore throat (8, 9).
Apart from the respiratory and systemic symptoms, there is growing evidence that the 2019-nCoV may also affect the central nervous system (CNS). Approximately, 36.4% (78/214) of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 experienced neurological symptoms like dizziness, headache, impaired arousal, ataxia, and seizure. It is worthing noticing that these symptoms were mainly related to other severe symptoms of the disease (10). Anosmia and dysgeusia have also been reported, and may proceed the typical respiratory symptoms (11). The first case of viral meningoencephalitis caused by the 2019-nCoV was reported in a 24-years-old man admitted to a hospital with seizures accompanied by impaired arousal, with the virus genome being identified in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (12). Further evidence provided by systematic reviews and meta-analysis has supported the occurrence of neurological manifestations in patients with COVID-19 (13, 14).
Like the SARS-CoV-1, the SARS-CoV-2 seems to exploit the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor to entry the host cells (15). The evidence mainly from pre-clinical studies suggesting that ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), drugs often prescribed for CVD, kidney, and metabolic diseases, might up-regulate circulating and tissue expression of ACE2 (16–20), raised the question whether those therapies increase SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and COVID-19 severity. Accordingly, some researches proposed the discontinuation of ACEIs and ARBs, both prophylactically and in the context of suspected Covid-19 (6, 21–23). In a period when all information, especially with alarmist content, spreads fast in social media, this suggestion increased the anxiety among people using those medications. However, expert opinions have discouraged treatment discontinuation due to limited evidence on the potential effects of this strategy in COVID-19 outcomes, and that withdrawal may contribute to clinical decompensation of high-risk patients (24).
In this rapidly evolving scenario, herein, we aim to discuss the use of ACEIs and ARBs in high-risk patients for COVID-19. We propose that beyond the risk of clinical complications with the discontinuation of ACEIs and ARBs, these drugs might exert a potentially protective role against the emergence and/or progression of geriatric neuropsychiatric disorders. To support our proposal, we first address the dilemma of discontinuation of RAS blockers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, we review the role of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatry disorders. Finally, we discuss the potential protective role of ACEIs and ARBs on the development and/or progression of geriatric neuropsychiatric disorders in high-risk patients for COVID-19.
ACEIs and ARBs Use During COVID-19: Foe or Friend?
Coexisting conditions such as older age, CVD and diabetes seem to be key prognostic determinants in response to the infection with 2019-nCoV. Severe symptoms of COVID-19 and high mortality have been associated with these conditions (6, 7, 25, 26).
ACEIs and ARBs are frequently prescribed for older adults with CVD, kidney and metabolic diseases. Among multiple biological effects, ACEIs, and ARBs seem to increase the expression of ACE2 (17, 18, 20). The increase in ACE2 expression in response to ACEIs and ARBs treatments has been shown mostly in pre-clinical studies (17–20). There are only few human studies specifically addressing this issue, with conflicting results. The ARB olmesartan increased urinary levels of ACE2 in hypertensive patients (20) and patients with diabetic nephropathy (27). Conversely, no effect in ACE2 urinary levels was found with the ACEI enalapril or other ARBs (losartan, candesartan, valsartan, and telmisartan) (20). Although ACE2 shows a 40% structural homology with ACE, they present a different conformational structure of the catalytic site, which may explain why ACEI in clinical use do not directly affect ACE2 activity or expression (28, 29). The failure of most ARBs in changing ACE2 urinary levels revealed that such effects might not be uniform across RAS blockers even considering the same drug class (20). Moreover, no changes in ACE2 activity was found in the plasma of patients with heart failure, atrial fibrillation, aortic stenosis, and coronary artery disease under ACEIs or ARBs therapy compared with untreated patients (30–33). Importantly, there is no available experimental or clinical evidence regarding the effects of ACEIs or ARBs on the expression of ACE2 in the lung, the primary tissue target by SARS-CoV-2 infection (34).
The recent discovery that the 2019-nCoV uses the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) component ACE2 as a receptor to invade host epithelial cells and cause organs damage, prompted the debate regarding ACEIs and ARBs use during COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the debatable claim that ACEIs and ARBs would increase ACE2 expression in humans, some authors proposed the discontinuation of ACEIs and ARBs for CVD, kidney, and metabolic diseases (6, 21–23). However, in the absence of clinical evidence, professional societies have advocated their continued use (24). Supporting this position, a clinical study conducted at the Central Hospital of Wuhan, China, with 362 hypertension patients hospitalized with COVID-19, demonstrated that ACEIs and ARBs therapies were not associated with increase in COVID-19 severity or mortality. The comparison among patients under ACEI/ARBs combined or monotherapy (115, 31.8%), patients taking other hypertensive drugs, especially calcium-channel blockers (168, 46.4%), or not receiving any drug treatment (65, 18%) showed no significant differences in laboratory results, including blood counts, inflammatory markers, renal, and liver function tests, and cardiac biomarkers, or clinical outcomes (35). Later other studies conducted in selected health care systems in North America (36, 37) and Europe (38, 39) supported the concept that ACEIs and ARBs are not associated with worst clinical outcomes. Taken together, these studies provide convincing evidence against the discontinuation of ACEIs and ARBs use in patients with or at risk for COVID-19.
It is also important to consider the multiple roles of ACE2 as a component of RAS, a cascade of vasoactive peptides that regulates key physiological functions, including blood pressure and hydroelectrolyte balance (40, 41). Apart from acting as a circulating hormonal system, RAS components are locally expressed in several organs and tissues, including kidney, brain, and lung, exerting physiological actions through tissue-specific mechanisms (42, 43). In the RAS pathway, angiotensinogen mainly produced by the liver is cleaved by renin, synthesized by the kidneys, in Ang I (pro-angiotensin). The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) cleaves the deca-peptide Ang I to the 8-amino acid peptide Ang II, which exerts its effects mainly through the Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor. Ang II is also a substrate for ACE2, a cell membrane protein with a 17-amino acids N-terminal signal peptide and a C-terminal membrane anchor that acts as monocarboxypeptidase with a catalytically active ectodomain located at the extracellular side of the cell (44, 45). Importantly, the C-terminal domain of ACE2 shares significant homology with Collectrin, a type I membrane protein highly expressed on renal proximal tubules. Collectrin is involved in the process of vesicle transport and membrane fusion, properties that ACE2 also owns, which may facilitate the use of ACE2 as a receptor for SARS-CoV-2 gain entry in the host cells resulting in COVID-19 (46). As a RAS component, ACE2 directly converts Ang II in the seven-amino-acid heptapeptide Ang-(1-7), which activates G protein-coupled MAS receptor. This type 1 transmembrane glycoprotein also cleaves the C-terminal amino acid of Ang I to the non-peptide Ang-(1-9), which in turn is converted to Ang-(1-7) by ACE and Neprilysin, an enzyme also known as neutral endopeptidase. The catalytic efficiency of ACE2 is 400 times higher on Ang II than on Ang I, favoring the direct production of Ang-(1-7) (44, 45).
The RAS is composed traditionally categorized into two arms: the classical one, including ACE, Angiotensin (Ang) II, Ang type 1 (AT1) receptor (ACE/AngII/AT1), and the “alternative” one, comprising ACE2, Ang-(1-7), Mas receptor (ACE2/Ang1-7/Mas). The classical arm mediates pro-inflammatory, pro-thrombotic, and pro-fibrotic processes, mainly through the activation of AT1 receptors (47). On the other hand, the alternative arm seems to play protective roles by frequently opposing Ang II actions through Mas receptors activation (41, 48, 49). For instance, pre-clinical and clinical evidence revealed that up-regulation of ACE2 expression protects acute lung injury at least in part by decreasing AT1 receptors activation (50). Accordingly, therapeutic strategies have been designed to inhibit ACE/Ang II/AT1 axis and to stimulate ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas receptor activities (41, 51).
SARS-CoV-2 binds to ACE2 in order to gain initial entry in host lung epithelial cells. Theoretically, this process promotes down-regulation of ACE2 expression on epithelial cell surface, which in turn contributes to up-regulation of Ang II inflammatory signaling, enhancing the acute lung injury (52, 53). These findings were observed in a murine model of SARS-CoV-1 induced by administration of Spike (S318-510)-Fc. In this model, acute severe lung injury was associated with decreased tissue expression of ACE2 and enhanced levels of Ang II. Importantly, the ARBs losartan (15 mg/kg) rescued mice from SARS-CoV-1 Spike–mediated lung failure, potentially by restoring ACE2 levels in the lung and favoring the conversion of Ang II in Ang-(1-7) (54). Supporting these findings, administration of the ACE2 agonist diminazene aceturate to mice submitted to hyperoxic lung injury increased lung ACE2 expression/activity and decreased Ang II/Ang-(1-7) ratio, which in turn reduced inflammation and severity of lung failure (55). While no study has replicated these results in experimental models of SARS-CoV-2, elevated plasma levels of Ang II were positively correlated with viral load and lung injury scores in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 (53). Together these results suggest that an imbalance between ACE/AngII/AT1 and ACE2/Ang1-7/Mas axes toward the activation of the former might play a pathophysiological role in COVID-19.
It is worth mentioning that ACE2 levels decline with age, which may predispose to a pro-inflammatory profile as the result of RAS classical arm activation (56, 57). A pro-inflammatory profile also underlies hypertension and diabetes pathophysiology, conditions highly prevalent with aging (57). A possible decrease in ACE2 induced by the SARS-CoV-2 infection in older people, especially those with CVD and diabetes, may exacerbate the pro-inflammatory background, leading to greater COVID-19 severity and mortality (58). Therefore, beyond the risk of clinical decompensation, discontinuation of ACEIs and ARBs is potentially harmful because the subsequent enhanced ACE/Ang II/AT1 receptor activity can worsen inflammatory lung injury and other organs damage. In fact, experimental suppression of ACE2 through genetic deletion or inhibitors was associated with myocardial damage and severe acute lung injury (59–61). Conversely, strategies focused in increasing ACE2 levels or activity such as administration of recombinant human ACE2 (rhACE2), have shown protective effects in CVD and pulmonary diseases (59, 60, 62) and have been suggested as a potential biological therapy against SARS-CoV-2 infection (63, 64).
ACE2-Angiotensin (1-7)-MAS Receptors Axis Role in Geriatric-Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Over the past decades, accumulating evidence has pointed out the role for RAS components in neuropsychiatric disorders [for review see (49, 51, 65, 66)]. Our research group has extensively investigated the profile of RAS molecules in the blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with different neurodegenerative and psychiatric conditions, including Parkinson's disease (67), Alzheimer's disease (AD) (68), and schizophrenia (69). For example, patients with Parkinson's disease presented decreased circulating levels of Ang II and Ang-(1-7) along with increased severity of depressive symptoms (67). Lower CSF levels of ACE were found in patients with AD compared with healthy controls. A significant positive correlation between ACE and Aβ42 levels among patients was also observed, reinforcing the hypothesis that ACE is associated with amyloid-β pathology in AD (68).
The protective effects exerted by ACEIs and ARBs treatments in pre-clinical and clinical settings have supported the involvement of RAS in neuropsychiatric conditions as well (51, 70, 71). In animal models of Parkinson's disease induced by MPTP or 6-hydroxydopamine, administration of AT1 receptor antagonists like losartan and ACEIs such as perindopril prevented motor dysfunction and resulted in increased dopamine striatal levels and neuronal survival (72–76). In a mouse model of AD induced by intracerebroventricular injection of amyloid-β, administration of the ARB telmisartan improved cognitive decline, increased cerebral blood flow, and attenuated brain inflammation and oxidative stress (77). Similar findings were reported following intranasal administration of the ARB losartan in the transgenic APP/PS1 model of AD (78). Epidemiological studies also revealed that ACEIs and ARBs significantly reduced the risk of AD and aging-associated cognitive decline (79). A 6-months treatment with the ARB telmisartan in hypertensive patients with AD resulted in more positive effects in cognition and cerebral blood flow than other anti-hypertensive drugs such as amlodipine (80).
Based on the role of RAS components in regulating hemodynamic functions, a wide range of studies have also supported the involvement of RAS in cerebrovascular diseases, especially stroke (49). Experimental studies with animal models of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury demonstrated that central or systemic infusions of Ang II decrease blood flow in the penumbra and increase cerebral inflammation, oxidative stress and edema, which in turn increase stroke-associated mortality (81–84). Administration of the ACEI captopril in rats following hemorrhagic stroke attenuated cerebral herniation and hematoma expansion, prevented new hemorrhage formation, and restored cerebral blood flow regulation (85). Additionally, clinical trials conducted with ARBs including losartan and eprosartan revealed decrease of ~25% in stroke incidence compared with other anti-hypertensive drugs like atenolol and nitrendipine. The effectiveness of ARBs in stroke prevention could not be explained only by blood pressure reduction, indicating that other mechanisms like anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may underly their neuroprotection (86, 87).
The expression of RAS components seems to be influenced by ACEIs and ARBs. For instance, patients with hypertension and chronic kidney diseases taking ACEI or ARB presented enhanced circulating levels of Ang-(1-7) (43). As Ang-(1-7) exerts beneficial effects by opposing Ang II actions (41), it is tempting to hypothezise that ACEIs and ARBs neuroprotection may involve in part the activation of the ACE2/ Ang-(1-7) / Mas receptor arm. Supporting this hypothesis, mice overexpressing ACE2 had lower infarct volume and increased cerebral blood flow and neurological function compared to wild type mice. The neuroprotective effects were associated with increased Ang (1-7)/Ang II ratio, angiogenic factors, and attenuated oxidative stress in the brain (88). Moreover, several studies employed pharmacological and/or genetic strategies in order to increase ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis activity and revealed protective effects of those RAS components in neuropsychiatric and cerebrovascular conditions [for review see (49, 51, 89)]. For instance, intracerebroventricular infusion of Ang-(1-7) for 4 weeks significantly improved cognitive function and cerebrovascular reactivity in 5XFAD mice, a model of AD (90). Intracerebroventricular infusion of Ang-(1-7) for 2 weeks also prevented cognitive decline and decrease the expression of hippocampal phospho-tau, amyloid-ß oligomer, and both soluble (Aβ 1-42) and insoluble (Aβ 1-40) ß- amyloid peptide in an AD-like rat model resulting from streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Importantly, the beneficial effects of Ang-(1-7) infusion were hampered by the coadministration of A-779, an antagonist of Mas receptors, suggesting that Ang-(1-7) protective activity was mediated by the activation of Mas receptors (91). A more recent study provided evidence that ACE2 activation also exerts protective effects in a transgenic mouse model of AD. Chronic intraperitoneal administration of DIZE (15 mg/kg/day), an established activator of ACE2, restored cognitive decline in Tg25676 mice, which was associated with reduced hippocampal levels of soluble Aβ 1-42 and of pro-inflammatory mediator IL-1ß alongside increased expression of Mas receptor. DIZE also reinstated the balance of hippocampal RAS activity, by increasing the ACE2/ACE activity ratio. Moreover, DIZE-mediated protection was abolished when co-administered with C16, an ACE2 inhibitor, indicating that neuroprotective effects resulted specifically from the enhancement of ACE2 activity (92).
Finally, a post-mortem study revealed that low activity of ACE2 in mid-frontal cortex of patients with AD negatively correlated with Aβ expression and phosphorylated tau pathology. The ratio of Ang II to Ang (1-7) was also reduced in the brain of patients compared with age-matched non-demented controls (93), while low circulating levels of Ang-(1-7) correlated with cognitive decline severity in patients with AD (94). The inverse correlation between concentrations of Ang-(1-7) and tau hyperphosphorylation was also reported in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice, a model of sporadic AD and of the P301S mice, an animal model of tauopathy (95). Taken together these studies corroborate the view that potentiating the systemic or local expression of ACE2 and/or Ang-(1-7) is potentially beneficial under several pathological conditions.
Apart from ACE2, Neprilysin or neutral endopeptidase, a type II membrane protein that belongs to the family of zinc dependent metalloproteases and is expressed in several tissues such as kidney, brain, heart, and lungs, also potentiates the alternative arm of RAS (ACE2/Ang1-7/Mas receptors) by converting Ang-(1-9) in Ang-(1-7) (44). The combination of anti-hypertensive drugs like ARBs with neprilysin inhibitors seems to be protective in hypertension, a risk factor for AD (96). Based on the fact that Neprilysin plays a pivotal role as an amyloid β peptide (Aβ)- degrading enzyme (97), the effect of Neprilysin in AD goes in opposite direction. Therefore, an anti-AD therapeutic strategy should rely on potentiating Neprilysin actions (96). It is worth mentioning that to the best of our knowledge, no strategy combining Neprilysin activation with RAS blockers has been investigated as a potential treatment for AD.
Discussion: Challenges and Opportunities
ACEIs and ARBs are commonly prescribed for hypertension, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and diabetic nephropathy (98–100). The discovery of the expression of RAS components in the brain stimulated the investigation of the potential effects of ACE inhibition and AT1 receptor antagonism on the physiopathology of neuropsychiatric disorders (71).
A low-grade pro-inflammatory profile has been associated with aging, a process that has been called “inflammaging” (101). This pro-inflammatory profile has been associated with late-life depression and neurocognitive disorders, and increased risk for the development of neurodegenerative diseases (101–103). For instance, patients with mild neurocognitive disorder who progressed to major neurocognitive disorder had significantly higher baseline levels of inflammatory mediators compared to those who retained the diagnosis of mild neurocognitive disorder on follow-up (104).
Recent studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 can induce a severe systemic inflammatory response, which has been associated with multiple organ failure and, as consequence, a large number of fatalities (105–107). Increased circulating levels of interleukin (IL)-6 were positively correlated with pneumonia severity in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 (107). It is worth mentioning that cytokines like IL-6 are important mediators of the continuous cross-talk between the periphery and the brain (108). Increased levels of systemic cytokines can lead to cognitive and behavioral changes in response to viral infections like influenza (109–112). Mice infected intranasally with live influenza A/PR8/34 (H1N1) exhibited loss of body weight, decreased locomotor activity, and hippocampal-dependent memory impairment. Behavioral and cognitive symptoms were associated with enhanced mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-α, and TNF-α) alongside increased microglia reactivity and alterations in neuronal architecture in the hippocampus (111, 112). Patients with influenza-associated acute encephalopathy/encephalitis exhibited neurological symptoms like seizure, altered arousal, and abnormal behaviors, which were associated with increased concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in serum and CSF (110). High serum levels of IL-6 in patients with influenza virus-associated encephalopathy were associated with poor clinical prognosis including neurological sequelae and death (109). To date these effects have not been systematically reported and/or studied in the COVID-19 as all efforts have been dedicated to battle the epidemic and minimize its death toll. Therefore, this unchartered area must be explored.
It is highly possible that, after the epidemic is controlled or over, post-COVID-19 neuropsychiatric conditions, notably neurocognitive disorders, will be unveiled. As older adults with CVD and/or diabetes display a more intense pro-inflammatory profile than older adults without these comorbidities (56, 57), and seem to be more vulnerable to the systemic inflammation induced by SARS-CoV-2 (58), they are at higher risk of CNS dysfunction and neurodegeneration as well. Besides these indirect effects, SARS-CoV-2 may also invade the CNS through the olfactory trait, but it remains to be established whether the virus can directly damage neurons and glial cells (113, 114).
The neuroprotective effects of ACEIs and ARBs seem to rely on the anti-inflammatory response exerted by the activation of ACE2/Ang-(1-7) /Mas axis and the decrease in Ang-II inflammatory signaling (51, 89). Therefore, the anti-inflammatory effects induced by ACEIs and ARBs may constitute a protective mechanism not only for the lung but also for other organs, including the brain, especially at high-risk subjects as older adults with comorbities (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Potential mechanisms by which ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may protect the development and/or progression of neuropsychiatric diseases in older adults with cardiovascular (CVD) and metabolic diseases during COVID-19 pandemic. By increasing the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), ACEIs, and ARBs decrease angiotensin II (Ang II) inflammatory signaling and vascular damage induced by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, which in turn may protect the central nervous system damage.
Respiratory-related infections like influenza seem to be an independent risk factor for stroke (115–117). Patients with severe symptoms of COVID-19 presented elevated levels of D-dimer and significant platelet reduction, which also pedispose these patients to acute cerebrovascular events (118). As ACE2 is a cardio-cerebral vascular protection molecule (41, 49), the dysregulation of ACE2 induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection may lead to abnormally elevated blood pressure and increase the risk of cerebral hemorrhage. Moreover, by binding to ACE2 receptors expressed on the capillary endothelium, the SARS-CoV-2 may disrupt the blood-brain barrier and get access into the CNS (113). ACEIs and ARBs may prevent or attenuate the deleterious vascular events induced by the SARS-CoV-2, also minimizing its potential damage to CNS in older adults.
Another aspect that must be considered during the COVID-19 pandemic is the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Besides emotional aspects including fear to be ill or die as well as the impact of isolation may significantly account for the development of PTSD, neurobiological factors must be taken into account. PTSD has been associated with CVD and changes in the RAS (119, 120). For instance, a cross-sectional study revealed that patients diagnosed with PTSD undergoing ACEIs or ARBs treatment for hypertension presented less PTSD symptoms including hyperarousal symptoms, avoidance, and intrusive thoughts when compared with PTSD patients not on ACEIs or ARBs treatments. Of note, other anti-hypertensive drugs, including beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics, were not significantly associated with reduced PTSD symptoms (119). This is particularly relevant for high-risk patients taking ACEIs and/or ARBs, further supporting the potential harmful effects of discontinuation of these drugs during the treatment of COVID-19. It remains to be answered whether there is any benefit of prescribing ACEIs or ARBs for older adults not taking these medications in order to minimize the complications related to the COVID-19, including the neuropsychiatric ones.
Concluding Remarks
The discovery that SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19, enters the host cells by binding ACE2 receptors, generated a debate regarding the discontinuation or not of ACEIs and ARBs in patients with CVD and diabetes. These comorbities are prevalent among older adults, also being associated with COVID-19 severity and mortality. At first, some authors proposed the discontinuation of ACEIs and ARBs based on the evidence that those drugs can enhance ACE2 levels, supposedly facilitating virus infection. However, this generated a significant backlash with expert opinions recommending against the discontinuation due to the lack of empirical evidence to support the proposal and the potential risk of cardiovascular complications. Moreover, from a theoretical perspective, ACEIs and ARBs may stimulate the anti-inflammatory properties of ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis and, therefore, improve COVID-19 associated severity and mortality.
Besides potentially inducing severe systemic inflammatory response, SARS-CoV-2 also seems to present neurotropism, although the exact extension and mechanisms by which the virus affect the CNS is unclear. In this scenario of enhanced systemic inflammation and potential neuroinflammation, older adults, especially those with CVD and diabetes, are more likely to develop cognitive and behavioral changes alongside neurodegenerative diseases in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Given the vascular and anti-inflammatory properties of ACE2 and Ang (1-7), beneficial not harmful effects are expected from ACEIs and ARBs, so these medications should not be withdrawn in older adults.
Author Contributions
AM drafted the initial version of the manuscript that was revised and modified by AT. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Funding
The authors have received financial support from the Brazilian government funding agencies: FAPEMIG (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brazil), CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Brazil), and CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior). The Neuropsychiatry Program was funded by the UTHealth Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
Conflict of Interest
AT is a CNPq fellowship recipient while AM is a 2019 “For Women in Science” Grant Awardee from the L'Oreal Brazil-UNESCO- Brazilian Academy of Science (ABC).
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Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, RAS, ACE2, ACEIs, ARBs, geriatrics, neuropsychiatric disorders
Citation: de Miranda AS and Teixeira AL (2020) Coronavirus Disease-2019 Conundrum: RAS Blockade and Geriatric-Associated Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front. Med. 7:515. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2020.00515
Received: 04 May 2020; Accepted: 24 July 2020;
Published: 11 August 2020.
Edited by:
Tzvi Dwolatzky, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, IsraelReviewed by:
Marta Riera, Mar Institute of Medical Research (IMIM), SpainDulce Elena Casarini, Federal University of São Paul, Brazil
Copyright © 2020 de Miranda and Teixeira. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Aline Silva de Miranda, mirandas.aline@gmail.com; mirandaas@icb.ufmg.br; Antonio Lucio Teixeira, altexr@gmail.com; antonio.l.teixeira@uth.tmc.edu