In general, while studies have shown that smoking adversely affects the pathology of coronavirus infections, surprisingly, fewer smokers are infected with coronavirus or fewer smokers are positive for coronavirus. There is also a report.In this study, in order to clarify the effect of smoking on new coronavirus infection, the expression level of ACE2, which is one of the constituent proteins of the new coronavirus receptor, was treated by treating human cells with tobacco smoke components. I investigated whether it changed like this.

　As a result, it was surprisingly found that the tobacco smoke component suppresses the ACE2 gene expression level in a concentration-dependent manner.It was also confirmed that this inhibitory effect is caused by the activation of AHR.

　Therefore, in addition to tobacco, tryptophan metabolites known to activate AHR and drugs for treating gastric ulcer were also examined, and these also suppressed the ACE gene expression level and, as a result, reduced the amount of infected virus (to cells). Inhibits the infection of the new coronavirus).

　This study showed the possibility that compounds whose safety has already been confirmed, such as tryptophan metabolites contained in food and gastric ulcer therapeutic agents that have been used in human clinical practice for a long time, can be applied to new coronavirus therapeutic agents. It can be said that it has paved the way for the development of a new coronavirus infection inhibitor, which has an advantage in that it is difficult to navigate.Based on this result, it is expected to develop into a new new coronavirus infectious disease treatment / prevention method by advancing the evaluation of effects, examination of treatment methods, and search for more effective similar compounds.

Paper information:[Scientific Reports] Inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro by suppressing its receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, via aryl-hydrocarbon receptor signal