Scientists from the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom) have identified a medicine used so far for liver ailments that can prevent SARS-Cov-2 infection and protect once morest future variants of the virus, according to a study published Monday in the journal Nature.
The ursodeoxycholic Acid, Used to treat or prevent various bile conditions, it regulates the ACE2 receptor, which facilitates virus entry into cells and may reduce infection, according to tests on animal and human organoids and tissues.
Modulating viral receptors might “complement vaccination” and be suitable for treating Covid in certain vulnerable groups, said the scientific journal.
Since the substance regulates human cells, rather than targeting the virus, its administration can help protect the organism from variants that may emerge in the future, the researchers highlight in a statement from their university.
“Vaccines protect us by boosting our immune system, so that it can recognize the virus and eliminate it, or at least weaken it”, described the main author of the work, Fotios Sampaziotis.
“But vaccines don’t work for everyone, for example, in patients with weakened immune systems, and not everyone has access to them. In addition, the virus can mutate towards new variants resistant to vaccines”, warned the scientist.
Sampaziotis and his team have investigated “alternative ways” to protect themselves from the coronavirus and they have found “a way to close the door on the virus, preventing it from entering cells and protecting from infection”, described.
