Comments on potential re-purposing of medicines against high-altitude illnesses towards SARS-CoV2: possibilities and pitfalls

In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the global fraternity of researchers has been assiduously investigating pharmacological interventions against the SARS-CoV2. This novel virus is known to gain entry through the ACE 2 receptor of pulmonary epithelial cells lining the respiratory tract. Many of its initial symptoms (e.g. difficulty breathing) resemble acute high altitude illnesses, particularly HAPE. Based on these overt symptoms, a number of high altitude researchers have speculated on repurposing of drugs used to treat acute altitude illnesses (especially HAPE). However, eminent high altitude researchers with medical expertise as well as some studies on the deeper causes underlying the overt symptoms have found that such repurposing maybe counter-productive. Other factors, (e.g. contra-indications of these drugs), make their use in COVID-19 patients hazardous. The fit-for-repurposing options maybe experimental prophylactic interventions (e.g. silymarin, curcumin) which have proven anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Another line of thought focuses on proteomics-based investigations of such patients. However, apart from the logistical and safety issues, a targeted proteomics approach based on prior sound molecular investigations is a more logical approach instead of mere shotgun proteomics. In this commentary, we shed light on such issues associated with COVID-19.