Frontiers in Pharmacology (Aug 2020)

DPP-4 Inhibitors in the Prevention/Treatment of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Heart and Kidney Injury Caused by COVID-19—A Therapeutic Approach of Choice in Type 2 Diabetic Patients?

  • Andrija Smelcerovic,
  • Gordana Kocic,
  • Mihajlo Gajic,
  • Katarina Tomovic,
  • Vukica Djordjevic,
  • Dobrila Stankovic-Djordjevic,
  • Marko Anderluh

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.01185
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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Since the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 virus more than 12,500,000 cases have been reported worldwide. Patients suffering from diabetes and other comorbidities are particularly susceptible to severe forms of the COVID-19, which might result in chronic complications following recovery. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors exert beneficial effects in prevention/treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, heart, and kidney injury, and since they may be a long-term consequence caused by COVID-19, it is reasonable to expect that DPP-4 inhibitors might be beneficial in alleviating long-term consequences of COVID-19. With that in mind, we would like to voice our concerns over chronic implications following recovery from COVID-19, especially not only in diabetic but also in non-diabetic patients, and to indicate that some preventive measures could be undertaken by application of DPP-4 inhibitors.

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