We believe that, in parallel to the attempts for direct blockade of the SARS-CoV-2 penetration into host cell and repurposing drugs, finding new therapeutic strategies for patients with lung injury or cardiovascular complications/coagulopathies associated with COVID-19 should be paid particular attention. Apelin or its receptor agonists are of great potential treatment for COVID-19 through suppressing angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin II (Ang-II) production, as well as, down-regulating angiotensin receptor 1 (AT1R) and ACE2 up-regulation. These drugs have potential to improve acute lung injury and cardiovascular/coagulopathy complications in COVID-19 which are associated with elevated Ang-II/Ang(1–7) ratio.

我们认为，在尝试直接阻断SARS-CoV-2渗透进入宿主细胞并重新利用药物的同时，应特别为肺损伤或心血管并发症/与COVID-19相关的凝血病患者寻找新的治疗策略注意。通过抑制血管紧张素转化酶（ACE）和血管紧张素II（Ang-II）的产生，以及下调血管紧张素受体1（AT1R）和ACE2的表达，Apelin或其受体激动剂对COVID-19的治疗潜力巨大。规。这些药物可能会改善COVID-19中的急性肺损伤和心血管/凝血病并发症，这些并发症与Ang-II / Ang（1-7）比例升高有关。