COVID-19 and Progesterone: Part 1.SARS-CoV-2, Progesterone and its potential clinical use

Shah, Shilpa Bhuaptrai

SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) infection is a global medical challenge. Experience based medicines and therapies are being attempted and vaccines are beingdeveloped. SARS-CoV-2 infection exhibits varied patterns of infection and clinical presentations with varied disease outcomes. These attributes are strongly suggestive of some variables that vary among individuals and that affect the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection and symptoms of COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease of 2019). Sex hormones vary with ageing, between the sexes, among individuals and populations. Sex hormones are known to play a role in immunity and infections. Progesterone is a critical host factor to promote faster recovery following Influenza A virus infection. Anti-inflammatory effects of progesterone are noted.In part 1 of the current study the regulatory role ofprogesterone for SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 is analyzed. The role of progesterone at different stages of the SARS CoV-2 infection is investigated with respect to two types of immunity status: immune regulation and immune dysregulation.Progesterone could have various alleviating impacts from SARS-CoV-2 entry till recovery: reversing of hypoxia, stabilizing of blood pressure, controlling thrombosis, balancing electrolytes, reducing the viral load, regulation of immune responses, damage repair, and clearance of debris among others. The present research adds to the available evidence by providing a comprehensive and thorough evaluation ofthe regulatory role of progesterone in SARS COV-2 infection, COVID-19 pathogenesis, and immune dysregulation. The available evidencehas implications for upcoming studies about pathophysiology of COVID-19, as well as the roles of progesterone and other hormones in other infectious diseases.