COVID-19, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Iodide

VEGF is considered a key factor in acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Hypoxia and severe inflammation increase the levels of VEGF, significantly elevated in COVID-19 patients. Hypoxic upregulation of VEGF is normally countered by upregulation of ACE2. As SARS-CoV-2 downregulates ACE2, the VEGF-antagonizing effect is cancelled, increasing vascular permeability and aggravating endothelial damage.

Iodide is a VEGF modulator and may revert VEGF increase caused by SARS-CoV-2 downregulation of ACE2. Initial evidence suggests possible benefits of iodide for treatment of COVID-19 and warrants further research. VEGF can reliably be measured by ELISA in human serum, plasma, urine, and cell culture supernatants with a fully validated high quality assay. Only 10 µl of sample volume is required! VEGF ELISA Assay Highlights https://buff.ly/3pkMwQn:

√ SMALL SAMPLE VOLUME – only 10µl sample / well required

√ HIGH SENSITIVITY- measurable values in both serum and plasma

√ RELIABLE- rigorously validated according to FDA/ICH/EMEA guidelines

√ EASY- ready to use calibrators & controls included