Valproic acid use is associated with diminished risk of contracting COVID-19, and diminished disease severity: Epidemiologic and in vitro analysis reveal mechanistic insights.

ABSTRACT: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused unprecedented worldwide infections from persistent mutant variants with various degrees of infectivity and virulence. The elusiveness of a highly penetrant, worldwide vaccination strategy suggests that the complete eradication of SARS-CoV-2 is unlikely. Even with the advent of new antiviral agents, the disease burden worldwide continues to exceed current preventative and therapeutic strategies. Greater interest has been placed towards the development of affordable,broadly effective antiviral therapeutics. Here, we report that the small branched-chain fatty acid Valproic acid (VPA), approved for maintenance of seizure and bipolar disorder, has a novel anti- coronavirus activity that can be augmented with the addition of a long-chain, polyunsaturated omega-

SUBMITTER: Watson A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11296636 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature