Jun 29, 2020 13:30:00

Nobel Prize winner claims that 'nasal breathing' may be effective for new coronavirus measures

The epidemic of the new coronavirus is still continuing around the world, and as of June 28, 2020, the

number of people infected with the new coronavirus worldwide has exceeded 10 million, and the death toll exceeds 497,000. .. To counter such new coronaviruses, 'nose breathing' may be useful, claims the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, pharmacologist Louis Ignarro .

The right way to breathe during the coronavirus pandemic
https://theconversation.com/the-right-way-to-breathe-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic-140695

'Nasal breathing' is a method of breathing that is sometimes taught in yoga classes, etc. It is said that by closing the mouth and breathing, you can prevent thirst and dry throat, increase the amount of oxygen taken in the body and burn fat well compared to mouth breathing,

which is said to have a diet effect. .. According to Ignarlo, nasal breathing also has strong medical benefits that help the body fight the virus.

Mr. Ignarlo's research that won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is 'Discovery of nitric oxide as a signal transduction molecule in the circulatory system.' Ignarlo points out that nitric oxide, which is produced from arginine and oxygen in vivo, acts as a neurotransmitter molecule, causing many different physiological effects.

Nitric oxide is mainly produced in cells of vascular endothelium that make up the inner surface of blood vessels , and continuously produced nitric oxide from vascular endothelium relaxes arterial smooth muscle and lowers blood pressure. It has the function of promoting blood flow to organs throughout the body. Nitric oxide also plays a role in preventing thrombus formation in arteries.

Nitric oxide, which has the effect of relaxing smooth muscles of blood vessels and increasing blood flow, causes neonatal persistent pulmonary hypertension in infants with pulmonary arterial stenosis and persistent pulmonary hypertension, causing hypoxemia. Used in medical practice to treat. By inhaling gaseous nitric oxide with a special device, the narrowed pulmonary artery expands, and blood can deliver sufficient oxygen throughout the body.

In addition, nitric oxide relaxes not only vascular smooth muscle but also respiratory tract smooth muscle, making it easier to breathe, and is also involved in penile erection, Ignarro points out. .. Viagra (sildenafil), which is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), works by enhancing the action of nitric oxide.

In addition, macrophages involved in immunity also produce nitric oxide and form antibacterial agents that react with other molecules and destroy invaders such as bacteria, parasites and viruses. The effects of nitric oxide on pathogens, dilation of airways and pulmonary arteries, and action of increasing oxygen content in blood may help protect the body from the new coronavirus, Ignaro and other studies The researchers are thinking that they are already starting a clinical trial of inhaling nitric oxide to treat patients with novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The idea of using nitric oxide to combat novel coronaviruses stems from test results associated with the

severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by the SARS coronavirus .

A 2004 study using SARS coronavirus-infected mammalian cells suggested that nitric oxide has a direct antiviral effect, as nitric oxide release increased cell viability. Was suggested. In this study, nitric oxide inhibited the production of viral proteins and RNA of genetic material and prevented the SARS coronavirus replication cycle. A small 2004 clinical study also suggested that nitric oxide inhalation was effective in treating patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome.

The new coronavirus, which became epidemic in 2020, shares most of its genome with the SARS coronavirus, so inhalation of nitric oxide may be effective in treating patients with COVID-19, Ignarlo said. Multiple clinical trials of inhaled nitric oxide and treatment of COVID-19 are ongoing and are expected to reduce the number of ventilators and inpatients needed.

Furthermore, nitric oxide is in the mouth while not generated sinus are generated continuously in nitric oxide produced in the sinuses is a nitric oxide and scientifically same used in clinical practice That. From this point, Ignaro said, ``By breathing nose, nitric oxide is directly sent to the lungs, which not only expands the airways and increases blood flow, but may also suppress the growth of the new coronavirus. No.' To maximize the inhalation of nitric oxide, 'don't forget to breathe through your nose,' said Ignarlo.