Dexamethasone - a steroid used significantly to reduce COVID-19 mortality, may be less effective in patients with diabetes, according to a research at the Advanced Photon Source (APS), a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science User Facility at DOE's Argonne National Laboratory.
A blood protein, called serum albumin binds with dexamethasone and is responsible for transporting them throughout the body. Patients with diabetes may have low levels of serum albumin due to high blood sugar.
Coronavirus
Coronaviruses infect animals, humans, and birds. Human coronaviruses, such as SARS, MERS, and 2019-nCoV cause respiratory distress and even death. The S protein is the infectious agent of the virus.
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‘Dexamethasone may be less effective in COVID-19 patients, having diabetes. A blood protein, called serum albumin binds with dexamethasone to transport them throughout the body. High blood sugars modify the way albumin binds with dexamethasone and hence, reduces the drug efficacy.’
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This changes the way albumin binds with dexamethasone and hence, reduces the drug efficacy, shows a study published in the Journal of the International Union of Crystallography.
The research team led by scientists at the University of Virginia, used powerful X-rays from the APS to get a full picture of the structure of serum albumin combined with dexamethasone, with aid of remote access technology. These findings re-emphasize the ways, physicians prescribe the drug for certain patients.
![Type 2 Diabetes]( "Type 2 Diabetes")
Globalization and changing lifestyles has made diabetes very common in developing countries so much so that India is known as the Diabetes Capital of the World.
"Gaining new insight into the mechanisms of this drug will help doctors design more effective treatments," said Argonne's Bob Fischetti, life sciences advisor to the APS director. "Since the start of this pandemic, the APS has been a powerful tool for gaining insights into the virus itself, and into methods for combating it."
Source: Medindia
Type 2 Diabetes
Globalization and changing lifestyles has made diabetes very common in developing countries so much so that India is known as the Diabetes Capital of the World.
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"Gaining new insight into the mechanisms of this drug will help doctors design more effective treatments," said Argonne's Bob Fischetti, life sciences advisor to the APS director. "Since the start of this pandemic, the APS has been a powerful tool for gaining insights into the virus itself, and into methods for combating it."
Source: Medindia
Dexamethasone Use for COVID-19 Treatment
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released an updated clinical management protocol for managing COVID-19 cases, advising use of dexamethasone as an alternative to methylprednisolone for managing moderate to severe cases of the disease.
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 WHO Welcomes Results of Dexamethasone Against COVID-19The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomed the positive results of dexamethasone in treating the novel coronavirus, while warning that the drug should not be used on mild cases. | Advertisement
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