THE INSTITUT PASTEUR
IVERMECTIN ALLEVIATES COVID-19 SYMPTOMS IN AN ANIMAL MODEL
We chose to study ivermectin because it is an allosteric modulator of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). This choice was based on the assumption that the nAChR receptor plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection and could therefore represent a target for the prevention and control of infection," says Guilherme Dias de Melo, researcher in the Lyssavirus, Epidemiology and Neuropathology Unit and first author of the study.
The results of the study reveal that ivermectin acts on the modulation of the immune response in animal models infected with SARS-CoV-2 and thus reduces inflammation in the respiratory tract. This immunomodulatory effect contributes to the reduction of the onset of symptoms of the disease. The researchers also showed that the molecule reduces the risk of loss of smell. However, they observed that ivermectin treatment does not affect the viral replication of SARS-CoV-2.
« Surprisingly, we observed that ivermectin treatment did not limit viral replication, treated and untreated models had similar amounts of viral load in the nasal cavity and in the lungs. Our results reveal that ivermectin has an immunomodulatory and not antiviral effect," comments Guilherme Dias de Melo.
In an opinion of 31 March 2021, WHO advises against using ivermectin to treat Covid-19 outside of clinical trials, pending the availability of more data. Guilherme Dias de Melo explains: "Our study provides preclinical data that scientifically demonstrate a protective action of ivermectin during SARS-CoV-2 infection in an animal model. This data is essential to support human clinical trials. »
Ivermectin could then be considered an encouraging therapeutic agent against Covid-19, with no impact on SARS-CoV-2 replication but relieving inflammation and the resulting symptoms.
« Our results provide a significant breakthrough and demonstrate that ivermectin belongs to a new category of anti-Covid-19 agent in an animal model. This work paves the way for development axes for better treatments against Covid-19 in humans," concludes Hervé Bourhy, head of the Lyssavirus, Epidemiology and Neuropathology Unit and latest author of the study.
https://www.pasteur.fr/fr/espace-presse/documents-presse/ivermectine-attenue-symptomes-covid-19-modele-animal