New Insights on the Potential Effect of Progesterone in Covid-19: Anti-inflammatory and Immunosuppressive Effects

Overview

Journal Immun Inflamm Dis

Specialties Allergy & Immunology
Infectious Diseases

Date 2023 Nov 29

PMID 38018575

Authors

Hayder M Al-Kuraishy

Thabat J Al-Maiahy

Ali I Al-Gareeb

Athanasios Alexiou

Marios Papadakis

Omnya Elhussieny

Hebatallah M Saad

Gaber El-Saber Batiha

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 is higher in men than women and sex hormones have immune-modulator effects during different viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2 infection. One of the essential sex hormones is progesterone (P4).

Aims: This review aimed to reveal the association between P4 and Covid-19.

Results And Discussion: The possible role of P4 in COVID-19 could be beneficial through the modulation of inflammatory signaling pathways, induction of the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and inhibition release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. P4 stimulates skew of naïve T cells from inflammatory Th1 toward anti-inflammatory Th2 with activation release of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and activation of regulatory T cells (Treg) with decreased interferon-gamma production that increased during SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, P4 is regarded as a potent antagonist of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), it could reduce MRs that were activated by stimulated aldosterone from high AngII during SARS-CoV-2. P4 active metabolite allopregnanolone is regarded as a neurosteroid that acts as a positive modulator of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA ) so it may reduce neuropsychiatric manifestations and dysautonomia in COVID-19 patients.

Conclusion: Taken together, the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of P4 may improve central and peripheral complications in COVID-19.

Citing Articles

New insights on the potential effect of progesterone in Covid-19: Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.

Al-Kuraishy H, Al-Maiahy T, Al-Gareeb A, Alexiou A, Papadakis M, Elhussieny O Immun Inflamm Dis. 2023; 11(11):e1100.

PMID: 38018575 PMC: 10683562. DOI: 10.1002/iid3.1100.

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