Argentine researchers to analyze Omega-3 as prevention of COVID-19

By Estudio Chaloupka

Medical researchers from the Harvard Medical School, University of California, Davis, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, have discovered that chemical molecules called resolvins, could help prevent the hyper inflammation that occurs in the lungs which are fatal to many of the victims that die from the COVID-19 disease. 

Based on the study, an Argentine team of researchers will work in Argentina with 1500 volunteers to analyze the effects of an Omega-3 component in the prevention of COVID-19 in health personnel and individuals at high risk of contracting the disease.

Severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is frequently characterized by pulmonary inflammation. 

According to the study, a paradigm shift is emerging in the understanding of the resolution of inflammation as an active biochemical process with the discovery of resolvins, which “resolve” inflammatory eicosanoids. “Resolvins counter pro-inflammatory cytokine production, a process called inflammation resolution. Resolvins and their lipid precursors (Omega-3s] exhibit anti-viral activity at nanogram doses in the setting of influenza without being immunosuppressive,” the study states.