Generic placeholder image

Current Medicinal Chemistry

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 0929-8673
ISSN (Online): 1875-533X

Mini-Review Article

Fluvastatin: A Choice for COVID-19-ASSOCIATED Mucormycosis Management

In Press, (this is not the final "Version of Record"). Available online 31 July, 2023
Author(s): Alireza Tavakkoli, Thomas P. Johnston and Amirhossein Sahebkar*
Published on: 31 July, 2023

DOI: 10.2174/0929867331666230706152616

Price: $95

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 invades the respiratory tract epithelium and can result in systemic inflammation prior to an infection caused by either bacteria or fungus. COVID-19- associated mucormycosis (CAM) is a serious condition that can occur during the time of the disease due to increased administration of corticosteroids. Various studies have suggested that statins may improve clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients. According to several preclinical reports, fluvastatin was shown to exert direct and indirect synergistic antifungal activity. Thus, fluvastatin could be considered a potential antifungal agent when no other option is available. Furthermore, in comparison with other statins, fluvastatin exhibits the fewest drug/drug interactions with anti-Mucorales azoles (e.g., isavuconazole and posaconazole), as well as with medicines that are used in solid organ transplant recipients (e.g., cyclosporine) and HIV-positive individuals (e.g., ritonavir); two groups of patients that have a higher risk of infection with Mucorales fungi following a SARS-- CoV-2 infection.

[1]
Dam, P.; Cardoso, M.H.; Mandal, S.; Franco, O.L.; Sağıroğlu, P.; Polat, O.A.; Kokoglu, K.; Mondal, R.; Mandal, A.K.; Ocsoy, I. Surge of mucormycosis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Travel Med. Infect. Dis., 2023, 52, 102557.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tmaid.2023.102557] [PMID: 36805033]
[2]
Sun, H.Y.; Singh, N. Mucormycosis: Its contemporary face and management strategies. Lancet Infect. Dis., 2011, 11(4), 301-311.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(10)70316-9] [PMID: 21453871]
[3]
Dogra, S.; Arora, A.; Aggarwal, A.; Passi, G.; Sharma, A.; Singh, G.; Barnwal, R.P. mucormycosis amid COVID-19 crisis: Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and novel treatment strategies to combat the spread. Front. Microbiol., 2022, 12, 794176.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.794176] [PMID: 35058909]
[4]
Singh, A.K.; Singh, R.; Joshi, S.R.; Misra, A. Mucormycosis in COVID-19: A systematic review of cases reported worldwide and in India. Diabetes Metab. Syndr., 2021, 15(4), 102146.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2021.05.019] [PMID: 34192610]
[5]
Pal, R; Singh, B; Bhadada, SK; Banerjee, M; Bhogal, RS; Hage, N; Kumar, A COVID-19-associated mucormycosis: An updated systematic review of literature. Mycoses, 2021, 64(12), 1452-1459.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/myc.13338] [PMID: 34133798]
[6]
Aranjani, J.M.; Manuel, A.; Abdul Razack, H.I.; Mathew, S.T. COVID-19 associated mucormycosis: Evidence-based critical review of an emerging infection burden during the pandemic’s second wave in India. PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis., 2021, 15(11), e0009921.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009921] [PMID: 34793455]
[7]
Ganjali, S.; Bianconi, V.; Penson, P.E.; Pirro, M.; Banach, M.; Watts, G.F.; Sahebkar, A. Commentary: Statins, COVID-19, and coronary artery disease: Killing two birds with one stone. Metabolism, 2020, 113, 154375.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2020.154375] [PMID: 32976855]
[8]
Bahrami, A.; Bo, S.; Jamialahmadi, T.; Sahebkar, A. Effects of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors on ageing: Molecular mechanisms. Ageing Res. Rev., 2020, 58, 101024.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2020.101024] [PMID: 32006687]
[9]
Bahrami, A.; Parsamanesh, N.; Atkin, S.L.; Banach, M.; Sahebkar, A. Effect of statins on toll-like receptors: A new insight to pleiotropic effects. Pharmacol. Res., 2018, 135, 230-238.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2018.08.014] [PMID: 30120976]
[10]
Bland, A.R.; Payne, F.M.; Ashton, J.C.; Jamialahmadi, T.; Sahebkar, A. The cardioprotective actions of statins in targeting mitochondrial dysfunction associated with myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Pharmacol. Res., 2022, 175, 105986.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105986] [PMID: 34800627]
[11]
Khalifeh, M.; Penson, P.; Banach, M.; Sahebkar, A. Statins as anti-pyroptotic agents. Arch. Med. Sci., 2021, 17(5), 1414-1417.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.5114/aoms/141155] [PMID: 34522271]
[12]
Koushki, K.; Shahbaz, S.K.; Mashayekhi, K.; Sadeghi, M.; Zayeri, Z.D.; Taba, M.Y.; Banach, M.; Al-Rasadi, K.; Johnston, T.P.; Sahebkar, A. Anti-inflammatory action of statins in cardiovascular disease: The role of inflammasome and toll-like receptor pathways. Clin. Rev. Allergy Immunol., 2021, 60(2), 175-199.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12016-020-08791-9] [PMID: 32378144]
[13]
Sohrevardi, S.; Nasab, F.; Mirjalili, M.; Bagherniya, M.; Tafti, A.; Jarrahzadeh, M.; Azarpazhooh, M.; Saeidmanesh, M.; Banach, M.; Jamialahmadi, T.; Sahebkar, A. Effect of atorvastatin on delirium status of patients in the intensive care unit: A randomized controlled trial. Arch. Med. Sci., 2019, 17(5), 1423-1428.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.5114/aoms.2019.89330] [PMID: 34522273]
[14]
Pal, R; Banerjee, M; Yadav, U; Bhattacharjee, S Statin use and clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Postgrad Med J., 2021, 98(1159), 354-359.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-139172] [PMID: 33541927]
[15]
Kollias, A.; Kyriakoulis, K.G.; Kyriakoulis, I.G.; Nitsotolis, T.; Poulakou, G.; Stergiou, G.S.; Syrigos, K. Statin use and mortality in COVID-19 patients: Updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Atherosclerosis, 2021, 330, 114-121.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.06.911] [PMID: 34243953]
[16]
Yetmar, Z.A.; Chesdachai, S.; Kashour, T.; Riaz, M.; Gerberi, D.J.; Badley, A.D.; Berbari, E.F.; Tleyjeh, I.M. Prior statin use and risk of mortality and severe disease from coronavirus disease 2019: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Open Forum Infect. Dis., 2021, 8(7), ofab284.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofab284] [PMID: 34258316]
[17]
Kow, C.S.; Hasan, S.S. Meta-analysis of effect of statins in patients with COVID-19. Am. J. Cardiol., 2020, 134, 153-155.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2020.08.004] [PMID: 32891399]
[18]
Kow, C.S.; Hasan, S.S. The association between the use of statins and clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Am. J. Cardiovasc. Drugs, 2022, 22(2), 167-181.
[PMID: 34341972]
[19]
Diaz-Arocutipa, C.; Melgar-Talavera, B.; Alvarado-Yarasca, Á.; Saravia-Bartra, M.M.; Cazorla, P.; Belzusarri, I.; Hernandez, A.V. Statins reduce mortality in patients with COVID-19: An updated meta-analysis of 147 824 patients. Int. J. Infect. Dis., 2021, 110, 374-381.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2021.08.004] [PMID: 34375760]
[20]
Vahedian-Azimi, A.; Mohammadi, S.; Beni, F.; Banach, M.; Guest, P.; Jamialahmadi, T.; Sahebkar, A. Improved COVID-19 ICU admission and mortality outcomes following treatment with statins: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch. Med. Sci., 2021, 17(3), 579-595.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.5114/aoms/132950] [PMID: 34025827]
[21]
Wu, K.S.; Lin, P.C.; Chen, Y.S.; Pan, T.C.; Tang, P.L. The use of statins was associated with reduced COVID-19 mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann. Med., 2021, 53(1), 874-884.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2021.1933165] [PMID: 34096808]
[22]
Chow, R.; Im, J.; Chiu, N.; Chiu, L.; Aggarwal, R.; Lee, J.; Choi, Y.G.; Prsic, E.H.; Shin, H.J. The protective association between statins use and adverse outcomes among COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One, 2021, 16(6), e0253576.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253576] [PMID: 34166458]
[23]
Zein, A.; Sulistiyana, C.S.; Khasanah, U.; Wibowo, A.; Lim, M.A.; Pranata, R. Statin and mortality in COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis of pooled adjusted effect estimates from propensity-matched cohorts. Postgrad. Med. J., 2021, 98(1161), 503-508.
[PMID: 34193549]
[24]
Lawrence, J.M.; Reckless, J.P.D. Fluvastatin. Expert Opin. Pharmacother., 2002, 3(11), 1631-1641.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1517/14656566.3.11.1631] [PMID: 12437496]
[25]
Tavakkoli, A.; Johnston, T.P.; Sahebkar, A. Antifungal effects of statins. Pharmacol. Ther., 2020, 208, 107483.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107483] [PMID: 31953128]
[26]
Galgóczy, L.; Lukács, G.; Nyilasi, I.; Papp, T.; Vágvölgyi, C. Antifungal activity of statins and their interaction with amphotericin B against clinically important Zygomycetes. Acta Biol. Hung., 2010, 61(3), 356-365.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1556/ABiol.61.2010.3.11] [PMID: 20724281]
[27]
Galgóczy, L.; Papp, T.; Vágvölgyi, C. In vitro interaction between suramin and fluvastatin against clinically important Zygomycetes. Mycoses, 2009, 52(5), 447-453.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0507.2008.01634.x] [PMID: 18983427]
[28]
Nagy, G.; Vaz, A.G.; Szebenyi, C.; Takó, M.; Tóth, E.J.; Csernetics, Á.; Bencsik, O.; Szekeres, A.; Homa, M.; Ayaydin, F.; Galgóczy, L.; Vágvölgyi, C.; Papp, T. CRISPR-Cas9-mediated disruption of the HMG-CoA reductase genes of Mucor circinelloides and subcellular localization of the encoded enzymes. Fungal Genet. Biol., 2019, 129, 30-39.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fgb.2019.04.008] [PMID: 30991115]
[29]
Nyilasi, I.; Kocsubé, S.; Galgóczy, L.; Papp, T.; Pesti, M.; Vágvölgyi, C. Effect of different statins on the antifungal activity of polyene antimycotics. Acta Biol. Szeged., 2010, 54(1), 33-36.
[30]
Nyilasi, I.; Kocsubé, S.; Pesti, M.; Lukács, G.; Papp, T.; Vágvölgyi, C. In vitro interactions between primycin and different statins in their effects against some clinically important fungi. J. Med. Microbiol., 2010, 59(2), 200-205.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.013946-0] [PMID: 19875509]
[31]
Lukács, G.; Papp, T.; Somogyvári, F.; Csernetics, Á.; Nyilasi, I.; Vágvölgyi, C. Cloning of the Rhizomucor miehei 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase gene and its heterologous expression in Mucor circinelloides. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek., 2009, 95(1), 55-64.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10482-008-9287-2] [PMID: 18853273]
[32]
Nagy, G.; Farkas, A.; Csernetics, Á.; Bencsik, O.; Szekeres, A.; Nyilasi, I.; Vágvölgyi, C.; Papp, T. Transcription of the three HMG-CoA reductase genes of Mucor circinelloides. BMC Microbiol., 2014, 14(1), 93.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2180-14-93] [PMID: 24731286]
[33]
Rana, R.; Sharma, R.; Kumar, A. Repurposing of fluvastatin against candida albicans CYP450 lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase, a target enzyme for antifungal therapy: An in silico and in vitro study. Curr. Mol. Med., 2019, 19(7), 506-524.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1566524019666190520094644] [PMID: 31109273]
[34]
Parihar, S.P.; Guler, R.; Brombacher, F. Statins: A viable candidate for host-directed therapy against infectious diseases. Nat. Rev. Immunol., 2019, 19(2), 104-117.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41577-018-0094-3] [PMID: 30487528]
[35]
Jouneau, S.; Bonizec, M.; Belleguic, C.; Desrues, B.; Brinchault, G.; Galaine, J.; Gangneux, J.P.; Martin-Chouly, C. Anti-inflammatory effect of fluvastatin on IL-8 production induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus antigens in cystic fibrosis. PLoS One, 2011, 6(8), e22655.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0022655] [PMID: 21826199]
[36]
Cornely, O.A.; Alastruey-Izquierdo, A.; Arenz, D.; Chen, S.C.A.; Dannaoui, E.; Hochhegger, B.; Hoenigl, M.; Jensen, H.E.; Lagrou, K.; Lewis, R.E.; Mellinghoff, S.C.; Mer, M.; Pana, Z.D.; Seidel, D.; Sheppard, D.C.; Wahba, R.; Akova, M.; Alanio, A.; Al-Hatmi, A.M.S.; Arikan-Akdagli, S.; Badali, H.; Ben-Ami, R.; Bonifaz, A.; Bretagne, S.; Castagnola, E.; Chayakulkeeree, M.; Colombo, A.L.; Corzo-León, D.E.; Drgona, L.; Groll, A.H.; Guinea, J.; Heussel, C.P.; Ibrahim, A.S.; Kanj, S.S.; Klimko, N.; Lackner, M.; Lamoth, F.; Lanternier, F.; Lass-Floerl, C.; Lee, D.G.; Lehrnbecher, T.; Lmimouni, B.E.; Mares, M.; Maschmeyer, G.; Meis, J.F.; Meletiadis, J.; Morrissey, C.O.; Nucci, M.; Oladele, R.; Pagano, L.; Pasqualotto, A.; Patel, A.; Racil, Z.; Richardson, M.; Roilides, E.; Ruhnke, M.; Seyedmousavi, S.; Sidharthan, N.; Singh, N.; Sinko, J.; Skiada, A.; Slavin, M.; Soman, R.; Spellberg, B.; Steinbach, W.; Tan, B.H.; Ullmann, A.J.; Vehreschild, J.J.; Vehreschild, M.J.G.T.; Walsh, T.J.; White, P.L.; Wiederhold, N.P.; Zaoutis, T.; Chakrabarti, A. Global guideline for the diagnosis and management of mucormycosis: An initiative of the European Confederation of Medical Mycology in Cooperation with the Mycoses Study Group Education and Research Consortium. Lancet Infect. Dis., 2019, 19(12), e405-e421.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(19)30312-3] [PMID: 31699664]
[37]
Chen, L.; Krekels, E.H.J.; Verweij, P.E.; Buil, J.B.; Knibbe, C.A.J.; Brüggemann, R.J.M. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of posaconazole. Drugs, 2020, 80(7), 671-695.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40265-020-01306-y] [PMID: 32323222]
[38]
Ledoux, M.P.; Denis, J.; Nivoix, Y.; Herbrecht, R. Isavuconazole: A new broad-spectrum azole. Part 2: Pharmacokinetics and clinical activity. J. Mycol. Med., 2018, 28(1), 15-22.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mycmed.2018.02.002] [PMID: 29551442]
[39]
Dioverti, M.V.; Cawcutt, K.A.; Abidi, M.; Sohail, M.R.; Walker, R.C.; Osmon, D.R. Gastrointestinal mucormycosis in immunocompromised hosts. Mycoses, 2015, 58(12), 714-718.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/myc.12419] [PMID: 26456920]
[40]
de Pádua Borges, R.; Degobi, N.A.H.; Bertoluci, M.C. Choosing statins: A review to guide clinical practice. Arch. Endocrinol. Metab., 2020, 64(6), 639-653.
[PMID: 33166435]
[41]
Wiggins, B.S.; Lamprecht, D.G., Jr; Page, R.L., II; Saseen, J.J. Recommendations for managing drug–drug interactions with statins and HIV medications. Am. J. Cardiovasc. Drugs, 2017, 17(5), 375-389.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40256-017-0222-7] [PMID: 28364370]
[42]
Benesic, A.; Zilly, M.; Kluge, F.; Weissbrich, B.; Winzer, R.; Klinker, H.; Langmann, P. Lipid lowering therapy with fluvastatin and pravastatin in patients with HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy: Comparison of efficacy and interaction with indinavir. Infection, 2004, 32(4), 229-233.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s15010-004-3136-7] [PMID: 15293079]
[43]
Milazzo, L.; Caramma, I.; Mazzali, C.; Cesari, M.; Olivetti, M.; Galli, M.; Antinori, S. Fluvastatin as an adjuvant to pegylated interferon and ribavirin in HIV/hepatitis C virus genotype 1 co-infected patients: An open-label randomized controlled study. J. Antimicrob. Chemother., 2010, 65(4), 735-740.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkq002] [PMID: 20118492]

Rights & Permissions Print Cite
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy