Smokers 'four times less likely' to contract Covid-19, prompting nicotine patch trials on patients
Source: The Telegraph
Smokers 'four times less likely' to contract Covid-19, prompting nicotine patch trials on patients
Researchers in France will test nicotine patches on health workers and patients but reiterated smoking could also cause more severe illness
By Henry Samuel 23 April 2020 5:04pm
Frontline health workers and patients in France may be given nicotine patches after studies found that four times fewer smokers contracted Covid-19 than non-smokers.
It may sound counterintuitive that people who puff on Gauloises are less likely to catch a virus that can cause deadly attacks on the lungs. However, that was the statistical outcome of an in-depth study conducted by the Pasteur Institute, a leading French research centre into the disease.
The institute tested almost 700 teachers and pupils of a school in Crépy-en-Valois in one of the hardest-hit areas in France, as well as their families. The highly accurate tests found that only 7.2 per cent of smokers from among the adults tested were infected while four times as many non-smokers, some 28 per cent, were infected.
Arnaud Fontanet, an epidemiologist at the institute, warned that they were not encouraging people to take up smoking, remarking that those smokers who do catch the virus risk suffering more complications than others. Scientists suggested it could be the nicotine in cigarettes that was behind the surprising results regarding infection, although more research is needed.
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more at link
Read more: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/23/smokers-four-times-less-likely-contract-covid-19-prompting-nicotine/
LisaM
(27,806 posts)I mean, who knows, but it seems strange.
Mike 03
(16,616 posts)the virus can't even find its way to the ACE2 receptors because of the tar. If the virus travels through the bloodstream though your theory makes more sense.
LisaM
(27,806 posts)However, that was just something that popped into my head and should in no way be construed as a thought that has any merit.
Mike 03
(16,616 posts)I wonder about things like this all the time.
I just don't want to wear a nicotine patch. It doesn't seem like a good solution. I'd rather smoke, and I've never been a smoker.
mpcamb
(2,870 posts)Surprising that that is supportive.
yellowdogintexas
(22,252 posts)nicotine is a stimulant and messes with blood pressure and other things, but that layer of yuck that fills the lungs of a smoker is nasty. Seems like the virus can't penetrate it
capechacon
(91 posts)nicotine or some other component of the smoke is somehow toxic to corona virus.
live love laugh
(13,104 posts)not a hospitable environment for the virus.
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,001 posts)Mike 03
(16,616 posts)From Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2013 Mar; 20(3): 319327.
doi: 10.1128/CVI.00636-12
PMCID: PMC3592351
PMID: 23283640
Targeting the Cytokine Storm for Therapeutic Benefit
Riccardo V. D'Elia,corresponding author Kate Harrison, Petra C. Oyston, Roman A. Lukaszewski, and Graeme C. Clark
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3592351/
There's also a paper about the use of nicotine to suppress cytokine production in Crohn's Disease:
In-vivo effect of nicotine on cytokine production by human non-adherent mononuclear cells. (result: Nicotine inhibits Interleukin 10)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8930570
Aimee in OKC
(158 posts)I'd be interested to see if anyone's exploring this route since it seems to be much less toxic than nicotine.
(Excerpted from article)
https://www.medchemexpress.com/GTS-21-dihydrochloride.html
nAChR GTS-21 dihydrochloride
(Synonyms: DMXB-A; DMBX-anabaseine)
Description
GTS-21 dihydrochloride (...) a selective ?7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, has recently been established as a promising treatment for inflammation.
Target: nAChR in vitro: GTS-21 is one of the most potent ?7nAChR agonists, has been reported to attenuate pro-inflammatory cytokine production, improve outcomes in sepsis models, pancreatitis, and ischemia-reperfusion injury, and inhibit the production of endotoxin-induced TNF in lung tissue.
In addition, recent studies have demonstrated that GTS-21 inhibits the activities of endothelial cells and monocyte macrophages, as well as the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood samples, by regulating the JAK2-STAT3 pathway.
JudyM
(29,233 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(49,001 posts)JudyM
(29,233 posts)Faux pas
(14,672 posts)'em if you've got 'em
Loki Liesmith
(4,602 posts)Good old Reverend Bayes. Fairly sure this is a garbage result.
SergeStorms
(19,199 posts)smokers know they're fucked anyway, so they take more precautions to not get the virus? It smells quite fishy to me as well.
RobinA
(9,888 posts)I think I can safely say that very few smokers I ever knew think theyre fucked, and even fewer take more precautions about much of anything. For example, they smoke.
SergeStorms
(19,199 posts)realize they're cutting their lives short by smoking? I used to smoke as well, and I have mild COPD because of it (I'm 70 now). With every cigarette I smoked I knew I was doing harm to my body, but nicotine is the most addicting drug I've ever come across. I haven't tried heroin, and don't plan to. I'm terribly afraid I'd like it too much.
BamaRefugee
(3,483 posts)I love France and have visited several times, so I'm wondering if more is involved than just the smoking?
Could it be that bad breath from the Gauloises makes no one want to kiss them or get close to their face, thus lowering the risk of infection?
IronLionZion
(45,433 posts)The researchers said that a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) plays a key role in infection from the coronavirus and that nicotine may act to protect this receptor from attack. It may also lessen the overreaction of the bodys immune system that has been found in the most severe cases of Covid-19 infection.
I suppose it's worth investigating everything in hopes of finding treatments but I won't be taking up smoking. No thanks
moriah
(8,311 posts)... had followed social distancing guidelines more assiduously/washed their hands more vs giving up the habit.
Though smokers do touch their face more often, and so any benefit to handwashing would have to be from it being done after re-entry into the home, and not smoking in the car between locations and trying very hard not to touch their face until they got home.
Sgent
(5,857 posts)sort of interaction between smoking and COVID even as far back as Jan. Just looking at the statistics for Wuhan smokers are underrepresented.
The Mouth
(3,149 posts)customerserviceguy
(25,183 posts)sdfernando
(4,935 posts)sure does make that Orb attractive!
brush
(53,774 posts)ancianita
(36,048 posts)appalachiablue
(41,131 posts)know who he was yet. I like Casablanca, watch it a lot.
In middle school I studied francaise and in college it was the Impressionists and Symbolists.
France I've visited a few times, Paris has my heart. Love New Orleans and Martinique.
I hope this helps. Merci beaucoups et Vive La France!
ancianita
(36,048 posts)Although my second language is Spanish. Qué lástima.
Mike 03
(16,616 posts)Can't find much on the antiviral properties of nicotine, justone paper I don't want to pay to access:
S1932 Effect of Nicotine On Innate Antiviral Pathways and HCV Replication
Yamashina et al., 2008
https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(08)63674-4/pdf
(Sorry, this link keeps posting as a broken link)
Supposedly the study asserts nicotine prevents Hepatitis C viral replication.
Nicotine causes dose-dependent inhibition of the growth of various bacterial and fungal pathogens (Pavia et al., 2000 ), and has been shown to kill parasitoids in two caterpillar species (Barbosa et al., 1986). Nicotine also has antiviral effects, as shown for the hepatitis C virus, where the alkaloid inhibits viral replication (Yamashina et al., 2008 ). In a recent study, another nectar alkaloid, gelsemine, reduced infection by a protozoan pathogen (Crithidia bombi) in bumble bees (Manson et al., 2010).
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/246722772_S1932_Effect_of_Nicotine_On_Innate_Antiviral_Pathways_and_HCV_Replication
Doubt much will come of this, but we'll see.
EDIT: Nicotine does have some interesting properties. It was studied as a possible treatment (not cure) for Alzheimer's disease at one point.
ancianita
(36,048 posts)appalachiablue
(41,131 posts)Marrah_Goodman
(1,586 posts)Maybe my mother will quit nagging me about vaping!
Leith
(7,809 posts)Not only do we get the effects of nicotine without the tar, added chemicals, and smell, but my ejuice contains 30% propolyne glycol (sorry about the spelling). A gaseous solution that is often piped into hospital rooms of pneumonia patients contains 3% PG.
Not making any claims, but it may keep your mom at bay for a few minutes.
Marrah_Goodman
(1,586 posts)Bootleg THC cartridges.
My state and the state next door (RI and MA) both caved due to the pressure caused by those lying news reports and I have to make my own e-juice now. It crushed a lot of really good small businesses.
Mike 03
(16,616 posts)smoking cigarettes or cigars (possibly vaping, but vaping isn't the same as smoking tobacco), such as gum, lozenges, patches, snuff.
(Just an idea).
Buckeye_Democrat
(14,853 posts)The researchers said that a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) plays a key role in infection from the coronavirus and that nicotine may act to protect this receptor from attack.
Dont be hoarding all the cartons of cigs now, people!
Mike 03
(16,616 posts)htuttle
(23,738 posts)Though I understand the alcohol should be poured on one's hands...
eggplant
(3,911 posts)stillcool
(32,626 posts)set for life.
burrowowl
(17,639 posts)Sloumeau
(2,657 posts)bucolic_frolic
(43,146 posts)Mike 03
(16,616 posts)on a link between COVID-19 and Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR).
Ordinarily, no matter how thin the evidence there's something interesting online. The only articles/papers that appear have to do with this new French study.
Warpy
(111,254 posts)but people trying to quit smoking are not going to be able to find lozenges, gum, or patches for love or money.
My own guess says that smokers enjoy better social distancing from others because nonsmokers are trying to avoid the reek.
Personally, I'll wait for proof that coronavirus has something to do with nicotine receptors.
EllieBC
(3,014 posts)I might ask him to vape more around me. Or maybe I will try it again.
Response to Tactical Peek (Original post)
customerserviceguy This message was self-deleted by its author.
StarryNite
(9,444 posts)Unfortunately they have all already died from lung cancer.
imavoter
(646 posts)Nicotine actually helps with bleeding.
They don't like people to know that, though.
B Stieg
(2,410 posts)Just askin'...
Chainfire
(17,536 posts)for a lot of Trump's base.
LizBeth
(9,952 posts)I quit 13 days ago. Now I ask, is the smoking what has kept me from getting sick for 4 decades. Quitting 13 days ago because of the virus, it is taunting me, universe taunting me. The first time I truly feel like this quitting will be easy. I stopped taking chantix cause I did not need it.
Wrong! wrong wrong.
smoked his entire life and I never knew the man to have a respiratory infection my entire life with him, 59 years. Never once. COPD, yes. Cold? Flu? Not ever. But quitting is good, keep it up.
Towlie
(5,324 posts)ancianita
(36,048 posts)Me Kylie Jenner Prince (oh wait) Jessic Alba Salma Hayek Johnny Depp Brad Pitt Elijah Wood Leo DeCaprio Barack Obama
to name a few! Support Democrats!
former9thward
(31,997 posts)Especially non smokers who want everyone to know it. And ex smokers are the worst. I don't smoke but I would rather be around smokers any day than a group of self-righteous non-smokers. When I am in a bar I go out to the patio with the smokers who are friendly and having a good time. The non-smokers are inside glumly looking at their beer.
RobinA
(9,888 posts)and I would rather be around meat-eating smokers. That crowd outside restaurants in the city catching a smoke? They are having fun. Id rather be out there too.
Skittles
(153,156 posts)but I LOVE the smell of tobacco and always try to catch a whiff when passing by them - it amuses them greatly
tavernier
(12,383 posts)I dont anymore, but Ill fall in and chat with the doorstep people any time.
EllieBC
(3,014 posts)This was early 90s. The smokers were way more relaxed, fun, and honestly...tipped more.
Hugin
(33,135 posts)I don't believe it has anything to do with nicotine.
Tiger8
(432 posts)You must hold all risk factors equal.
My guess is that older people or those with existing health issues, including obesity, are less likely to smoke.
Shrek
(3,977 posts)I won't post any spoilers but it's a good read.
HuskyOffset
(888 posts)Cigarettes contain tar, which gets in the lungs when you smoke, therefore coronavirus hates tar, therefore, DRINKING TAR PREVENTS CORONAVIRUS! Just find your nearest roofer, have them heat you up a steaming mug of roofing tar and guzzle that sumbitch down! Yum yum, good for ya!
/sarcasm of course. DON'T DRINK TAR. You'll poke your eye out.
spudspud
(511 posts)Tiger8
(432 posts)Rest assured, no MAGAt is gonna let you restrict their "feedrom" to guzzle said mentioned bucket of tar.
spudspud
(511 posts)Mr.Bill
(24,284 posts)France would have about ten cases in the entire country.
trixie2
(905 posts)barbtries
(28,789 posts)but it does make me feel just a little bit better about my chances of getting the virus.
klook
(12,154 posts)Maeve
(42,282 posts)And you'll be off down a half-million page rabbit hole that will eat up the rest of the week....
JDC
(10,127 posts)amuse bouche
(3,657 posts)Hugin
(33,135 posts)They were ahead of the curve on social distancing.
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,853 posts)and men were dying at far, far higher rates than women, one explanation offered was that so many more Chinese men (two-thirds of them) smoke as compared to maybe ten percent of the women.
Here's something else that makes this report highly suspect: Smokers, like obese people, are likely to have any number of underlying health conditions. Like high blood pressure. Coronary artery disease. All kinds of compromises to the lungs. And on and on.
This is going to pan out rather like the very earliest indications that chloroquine was supposed to be effective against the virus.
I just am not buying what they are selling here.
Hugin
(33,135 posts)I think it'll be found to be a case of correlation and not a causation.
It may be a behavior common to smokers such as a tendency to maintain a physical distance from others than from the smoking itself. Which, would cause a reduction in contracting the virus.
As you pointed out, in the very different culture of China vs France, the correlation didn't hold up.
Rebl2
(13,498 posts)this for one minute. It makes no sense.
Soxfan58
(3,479 posts)safeinOhio
(32,674 posts)go long. On average, tobacco dividend stocks pay very consistent and attractive dividends and can be a great source of income for investors.
Initech
(100,068 posts)How are you supposed to fight a lung infection if your lungs are fried from smoke?
JI7
(89,248 posts)among the older generation when they were growing up.