Endothelin-1 is increased in the plasma of patients hospitalised with Covid-19
George Abraham, Rhoda E. Kuc, Magnus Althage, Peter J. Greasley, Phil Ambery, Janet J. Maguire, Ian B. Wilkinson, Stephen P. Hoole, Joseph Cheriyan, Anthony P. Davenport
Abstract
Virus induced endothelial dysregulation is a well-recognised feature of severe Covid-19 infection. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is the most highly expressed peptide in endothelial cells and a potent vasoconstrictor, thus representing a potential therapeutic target. ET-1 plasma levels were measured in a cohort of 194 Covid-19 patients stratified according to the clinical severity of their illness. Hospitalised patients, including those who died and those developing acute myocardial or kidney injury, had significantly elevated ET-1 plasma levels during the acute phase of infection. The results support the hypothesis that endothelin receptor antagonists may provide clinical benefit for certain Covid-19 patients.