Intramuscular Effect of Polymerized Type I Collagen on the Cytokine Storm in COVID-19 Patients

SARS-CoV-2 infection induces a hyperinflammatory syndrome, causing the acute respiratory distress syndrome, massive lung cell destruction and, as a plausible sequelae, pulmonary fibrosis in COVID-19 patients. Current focus has been on the development of novel immunosuppressant therapies, in order to control the cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients. Thus, the effect of steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, non-steroidal immunosuppressants, selective cytokine blockade, JAK/STAT pathway inbhibition, and mesenchymal precursor cells have been evaluated. Based on the above information, we propose COLLAGEN-POLYVINYLPYRROLIDONE (Distinctive name: FibroquelMR, active substance: Collagen-polyvinylpyrrolidone, pharmaceutical form: intramuscular injectable solution, with sanitary registration No. 201M95 SSA IV and SSA code: 010 000 3999) as a potential drug for the downregulation of the cytokine storm. Polymerized type I collagen reduces the expression of IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-alpha, TGF-β1, IL-17, Cox-1, leukocyte adhesion molecules (ELAM-1, VCAM- 1 and ICAM-1), some other mediators of inflammation and increases the levels of IL-10 and the number of regulatory T cells. In addition, it promotes the mechanisms of inhibition of tissue fibrosis, without adverse effects in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.