GLI ACIDI GRASSI POLINSATURI N-3 POSSONO ESSERE CONSIDERATI UNA POTENZIALE TERAPIA ADIUVANTE PER LE COMPLICAZIONI CARDIOVASCOLARI ASSOCIATE AL COVID-19?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2), has currently led to a global pandemic with millions of confirmed and increasing cases around the world. The novel SARS-CoV-2 not only affects the lungs causing severe acute respiratory dysfunction but also leads to significant dysfunction in multiple organs and physiological systems including the cardiovascular system. A plethora of studies have shown the viral infection triggers an exaggerated immune response, hypercoagulation and oxidative stress, which contribute significantly to poor cardiovascular outcomes observed in COVID-19 patients. To date, there are no approved vaccines or therapies for COVID-19. Accordingly, cardiovascular protective and supportive therapies are urgent and necessary to the overall prognosis of COVID-19 patients. Accumulating literature has demonstrated the beneficial effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) toward the cardiovascular system, which include ameliorating uncontrolled inflammatory reactions, reduced oxidative stress and mitigating coagulopathy. Moreover, it has been demonstrated the n-3 PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are precursors to a group of potent bioactive lipid mediators, generated endogenously, which mediate many of the beneficial effects attributed to their parent compounds. Considering the favorable safety profile for n-3 PUFAs and their metabolites, it is reasonable to consider n-3 PUFAs as potential adjuvant therapies for the clinical management of COVID-19 patients. In this article, we provide an overview of the pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications secondary to COVID-19 and focus on the mechanisms that may contribute to the likely benefits of n-3 PUFAs and their metabolites

I Coronavirus fanno parte di una vasta famiglia di virus che possono causare un raffreddore comune, una forma lieve simile all’influenza, ma anche malattie più gravi. Il virus responsabile dell’epidemia è un nuovo ceppo di coronavirus denominato SARS-CoV2 e si presenta con una vasta gamma di sintomi. La popolazione a maggior rischio di subire le conseguenze sanitarie più gravi è rappresentata dagli anziani, in particolare coloro che hanno un sistema immunitario indebolito. Da quando, l’11 gennaio 2020, è stata pubblicata la sequenza genetica del virus SARS-CoV-2, scienziati, industrie farmaceutiche e organizzazioni in tutto il mondo hanno iniziato a collaborare per sviluppare il prima possibile vaccini sicuri ed efficaci contro il COVID-19. Tra le complicanze associate al COVID-19 ho preso in considerazione quelle cardiovascolari verificando quanto possano incidere in una potenziale terapia gli acidi grassi polinsaturi N-3. Il nostro organismo ne ha un importante e indiscutibile bisogno per star bene e non essendo in grado di produrli, deve necessariamente assumerli dall’alimentazione o dall’integrazione alimentare.