Potential usage of the anti-inflammatory effect of Simvastatin in COVID-19 patients
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on November 13th, 2023
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Severe SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with extreme inflammation of the respiratory tract that can be lethal if left unmanaged. Simvastatin is a lipid-lowering medication that exhibits anti-inflammatory effect and has been shown to be beneficial for patients affected with acute respiratory distress syndrome with hyperinflammation. Thus, a study was conducted to assess whether simvastatin can be useful in treating COVID-19.
The study included 2684 patients who had been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Almost all of these patients required acute respiratory support in the form of either mechanical ventilation or nasal cannula. The participants were randomly assigned to be treated with 80 mg of Simvastatin daily or placebo. This experimental therapy was administered concurrently with other treatments as ordered by the primary care physician; these therapies include remdesivir, glucocorticoids, tocilizumab, and sarilumab. Using the patient’s dependence on respiratory/cardiovascular support and their 90-day survival rate, the researchers concluded that simvastatin did result in significantly beneficial outcomes. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the length of stay in the intensive care unit or the recovery rate between the two groups.
The study included 2684 patients who had been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Almost all of these patients required acute respiratory support in the form of either mechanical ventilation or nasal cannula. The participants were randomly assigned to be treated with 80 mg of Simvastatin daily or placebo. This experimental therapy was administered concurrently with other treatments as ordered by the primary care physician; these therapies include remdesivir, glucocorticoids, tocilizumab, and sarilumab. Using the patient’s dependence on respiratory/cardiovascular support and their 90-day survival rate, the researchers concluded that simvastatin did result in significantly beneficial outcomes. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the length of stay in the intensive care unit or the recovery rate between the two groups.