Hypothesis for renin-angiotensin inhibitor mitigation of COVID-19

Preexisting hypertension is a known risk factor for severe COVID-19. Abnormal activation of RAS upregulates angiotensin II (Ang-II) and contributes to severe manifestations of COVID-19. Although RAS inhibitors (RASi) are a mainstay of antihypertensive therapy, they have been associated (in some animal studies) with an increase in angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors that facilitate cellular entry of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Nonetheless,...