Where some mistake a coronavirus infection for a cold, for others it brings serious complications. Cytokines play a decisive role.
- Cytokines are proteins that control the body's defense against pathogens.
- Cytokine storm means the uncontrolled release of cytokines - an overreaction of the body's own defenses.
- A cytokine storm causes severe inflammatory reactions in the lungs or other organs.
It is now considered certain that a coronavirus infection can trigger a so-called cytokine storm. This overreaction of the immune system promotes life-threatening complications such as thrombosis *, acute lung failure, pneumonia, shortness of breath and inflammation of the airways. The reason for this is a significant increase in cytokines such as interleukin-6, interleukin-8, interleukin-1β and TNF-α. Doctors observed hypercytokinemia, as a cytokine storm is technically known, especially in seriously ill patients. But there is a drug that promises to be effective against the dangerous phenomenon.
Tocilizumab attaches to cells to stop inflammatory responses
It is the monoclonal antibody tocilizumab, an active substance that can prevent a cytokine storm. Tocilizumab blocks the cell receptors that cytokines need in the body to trigger inflammation . Against the background that the immune cells of Covid-19 patients release too much interleukin-6 and this leads to severe inflammatory reactions, doctors are currently placing high hopes in preparations with tocilizumab.
Chinese doctors treated Covid 19 patients with tocilizumab at the beginning of February. In a study they have now published the consequences of the therapy. In all patients, the fever had dropped to normal body temperature after just one day. Other symptoms * had remarkably subsided within a few days, according to the publication. As reported by the Pharmazeutische Zeitung, the oxygen supply could be reduced in 15 of 20 patients after the fifth day of treatment with tocilizumab. One patient no longer required an oxygen supply. The number of lymphocytes (an increased number of lymphocytes in the blood indicates inflammation or infection) had normalized after five days of therapy . On average, the treated people could be discharged from the hospital after 15 days. However, according to the scientists, the research results still have to be checked in studies with more patients to confirm the effectiveness.
To the study
Also read : This is what happens with a coronavirus infection in the body .
Cytokine storm due to inflammaging?
Other drugs are also currently being tested for their benefit against the severe immune overreaction. These include the enzyme inhibitor ruxolitinib .
Inflammaging, among other things, is discussed as the cause of a cytokine storm. The term describes an accumulation of age-related inflammatory processes in the body *, the body's own defense is constantly challenged. According to the inflammaging theory, a new pathogen could cause the immune system to initiate a dangerous overreaction and also a cytokine storm .
More sources: www.aerzteblatt.de; www.thelancet.com; www.the-scientist.com
Read more : Coronavirus: These three factors decide whether Covid-19 is critical.
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* merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen digital editorial network .