Published online Dec 6, 2022. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i34.12470
Peer-review started: August 4, 2022
First decision: October 12, 2022
Revised: October 20, 2022
Accepted: November 8, 2022
Article in press: November 8, 2022
Published online: December 6, 2022
Processing time: 120 Days and 7.1 Hours
Core Tip: Recently, conflicting results on circulating ACE2 (cACE2) levels in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients vs healthy people with low cACE2 values were published. cACE2 levels and activity were shown to be increased in severe COVID-19 patients. However, others showed no change or decreased cACE2 in severe COVID-19 patients compared to pre-pandemic controls. Furthermore, it is unclear how SARS-CoV-2 infection and recovery impact the cACE2 level. cACE2 levels increased throughout the first 2 wk of the acute phase of COVID-19. cACE2 levels, on the other hand, were elevated for 1-3 mo after infection and decreased by 4 mo of the illness course. The purpose of this review is to look at the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and cACE2. A variety of prospective therapeutic options for inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection is also explored.