Affiliation:
1. Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
2. Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt
3. Faculty of Physical
Therapy, Nahda University, Beni Suef, Egypt
Abstract
Abstract::
COVID-19 is still a world disaster; however, its vaccination is globally available.
Liver and gastrointestinal disturbances occur in patients infected with COVID-19 at varying
incidences. Aging decreases the functions of the liver. Thus, the elderly have a weaker response
to the COVID-19 virus. The COVID-19 virus affects the liver directly through direct and indirect
mechanisms. It directly affects the renin-angiotensin system or indirectly causes sepsis, uncontrolled
immune reactions, drug-related hepatic injury, and cytokine storm. Also, COVID-19
vaccines and anti-drugs have adverse effects on the liver too. Thus, this review explores the effect
of enhancing aerobic capacity as a nonpharmacological intervention on decreasing COVID-
19-induced liver injury. Enhancing aerobic capacity decreases COVID-19-induced liver injury
through the following: 1) downregulating systemic and tissue ACE/ANG II/AT1R axis, upregulating
ACE2/ANG 1–7/Mas axis, and moving the renin-angiotensin system to the direction of
the ACE2/ANG (1–7)/Mas axis, 2) Improving mitochondrial function and oxygenation to body
and lung tissues, causing a decrease in harmful oxidative reactions, 3) Increasing the processing
of accumulated free radicals and inhibiting the acute respiratory distress syndrome, 4) Acting as
an antioxidant to protect the liver from oxidative stress, 5) Increasing the effect of antiviral
drugs and COVID-19 vaccines, which improves the function of immune biomarkers, decreases
the viral load, and increases the body's defense against the virus, 6) Decreasing coagulation abnormalities
and thrombosis. In conclusion, enhancing aerobic capacity may be an efficient nonpharmacological
intervention to decrease COVID-19-induced liver injury in elderlies and regenerate
the liver to its normal status after being infected by the COVID-19 virus. It also helps
to strengthen the body's immunity for better effects of both COVID-19 vaccination and drugs.
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Subject
Immunology and Allergy,Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism