Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Nov 23, 2024 3 hours, 46 minutes ago
Medical News: Researchers from Costa Rica’s Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social, Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health-USA have explored the intriguing connection between severe COVID-19 outcomes and Klotho, a protein widely known for its anti-aging properties. The study proposes a "unifying hypothesis" suggesting that low levels of Klotho could be central to understanding the disease's severity.
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Various dietary interventions to upregulate Klotho protein expression/activity
COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has left a devastating global impact, with millions affected. The disease manifests in varied ways, from mild symptoms to severe complications like acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), inflammation, and organ failure. What sets severe cases apart, according to this study that is covered in this
Medical News report, might be linked to deficiencies in the Klotho protein. This protein, discovered in 1997, regulates aging, inflammation, and other critical pathways, and its decline with age could explain why older individuals are at higher risk for severe COVID-19.
The Hypothesis: Klotho Deficiency and COVID-19 Severity
The hypothesis revolves around the idea that low Klotho levels may predispose individuals to severe COVID-19 outcomes. Klotho plays a significant role in kidney health, protecting against acute kidney injury (AKI) - a condition strongly associated with higher mortality in COVID-19 patients. The study revealed that patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or experiencing AKI during COVID-19 episodes exhibit sharply reduced Klotho levels.
This research also highlighted potential links between Klotho and viral infections. Klotho appears to inhibit pathways such as NF-κβ and mTOR, which are involved in inflammation and viral replication. These findings open new avenues for understanding the disease and suggest that increasing Klotho levels might offer protective benefits.
Supporting Evidence: Medications That Boost Klotho Levels
The study reviewed the effects of medications known to increase Klotho expression, such as metformin, statins, and vitamin D. Observational studies have shown that patients using these drugs experienced better COVID-19 outcomes, including reduced severity and mortality.
-Metformin
Metformin, a widely used antidiabetic drug, was found to lower inflammation and enhance antiviral responses, possibly through Klotho-related mechanisms. Clinical trials have shown that early administration of metformin can decrease hospitalization rates and even lower the risk of developing long COVID.
-Statins
Statins, primarily used to manage cholesterol, also increase Klotho levels. Meta-analyses indicate that chronic statin use is linked to reduced ICU admissions and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Their anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, partly mediated through Klotho, make them promis
ing adjuncts in managing the disease.
-Vitamin D
Vitamin D analogs have been associated with improved immune responses and reduced COVID-19 severity. By boosting Klotho expression and inhibiting pathways like mTOR, vitamin D supplements have shown potential in mitigating severe disease outcomes.
Preclinical Insights: Klotho Therapy Shows Promise
In experimental settings, administering Klotho protein or its related peptides to animals demonstrated striking results. Mice treated with exogenous Klotho exhibited significantly lower mortality rates after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Additionally, Klotho-related peptides effectively mitigated kidney damage induced by the virus, offering hope for therapeutic interventions.
These findings underscore the potential of Klotho-focused therapies, especially for patients who cannot use conventional medications like metformin or statins due to complications such as acute kidney injury.
The Bigger Picture: Implications and Future Research
The implications of these findings are profound. If Klotho indeed plays a pivotal role in determining COVID-19 severity, monitoring its levels in patients could become a critical diagnostic tool. Moreover, strategies to increase Klotho - whether through medication or direct supplementation - might provide new ways to reduce mortality and long-term complications.
However, limitations remain. Genetic studies have yet to establish a definitive link between Klotho and COVID-19, and most evidence supporting its role comes from preclinical models. More robust clinical trials are needed to validate these findings and explore the potential of Klotho-based therapies for other viral infections.
Conclusion: Klotho's Potential as a Game-Changer
The study brings to light the multifaceted role of Klotho in health and disease, emphasizing its potential as a protective factor against severe COVID-19. By modulating critical pathways involved in aging, inflammation, and viral replication, Klotho emerges as a central player in mitigating disease severity.
Moving forward, researchers must focus on integrating Klotho-targeted therapies into clinical practice, exploring their applications beyond COVID-19. The protein’s antiviral and organ-protective properties could revolutionize how we approach pandemics and chronic diseases.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: COVID.
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8112/4/12/129
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
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