Su Hao, Ma Chengquan, Li Hongjun
Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, P.R. China.
Exp Ther Med. 2021 Apr;21(4):320. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.9751. Epub 2021 Feb 3.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a variety of impacts on the human body. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is the pathogen that causes COVID-19. It invades human tissues through the receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, resulting in an imbalance in the angiotensin II (AngII) level and upregulation of renin-angiotensin system/AngII pathway activity. Furthermore, the binding of AngII to its receptor leads to vasoconstriction, endothelial injury and intravascular thrombosis. In addition, COVID-19 may have adverse effects on male reproductive organs and a marked impact on male reproductive health. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) may improve vascular endothelial function, promote testicular and systemic blood circulation and testosterone secretion and enhance epididymal function, as well as sperm maturation and capacitation. PDE5Is may also be of use in the treatment of infectious diseases by enhancing immunity and anti-inflammatory responses and improving vascular endothelial function. Based on the pharmacological mechanism of PDE5Is, they are of unique value in the fight against infectious diseases and may be effective in combination with direct antiviral drugs. The anti-infection mechanisms of PDE5Is and their roles in COVID-19 were reviewed in the present study.
2019冠状病毒病（COVID-19）对人体有多种影响。严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2是导致COVID-19的病原体。它通过受体血管紧张素转换酶2侵入人体组织，导致血管紧张素II（AngII）水平失衡以及肾素-血管紧张素系统/AngII途径活性上调。此外，AngII与其受体的结合会导致血管收缩、内皮损伤和血管内血栓形成。此外，COVID-19可能对男性生殖器官产生不利影响，并对男性生殖健康产生显著影响。5型磷酸二酯酶抑制剂（PDE5Is）可能改善血管内皮功能，促进睾丸和全身血液循环以及睾酮分泌，并增强附睾功能，以及精子成熟和获能。PDE5Is还可能通过增强免疫和抗炎反应以及改善血管内皮功能而用于治疗传染病。基于PDE5Is的药理机制，它们在抗击传染病方面具有独特价值，并且可能与直接抗病毒药物联合有效。本研究综述了PDE5Is的抗感染机制及其在COVID-19中的作用。
