2-Dg for Covid - What Is It and How Does It Work?
The DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India) has recently given approval to a drug 2-DG ( 2–deoxy—D—glucose) for emergency use as an adjunct therapy in moderate to severe Covid-19 patients. Work on this drug was conducted by INMAS (Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences) and the pharma company Dr Reddy's Labs. What is 2-dg? 2-Deoxy-D- Glucose is a modified glucose molecule, modified in a manner that it cannot undergo Glycolysis (breakdown of glucose molecule to release energy and pyruvate). It has been in existence since a long time, and initial research on this molecule was conducted as long as sixty years ago. How does it Work? The drug works by concentrating in virus-infected cells. It is supposed to prevent the multiplication of the virus by stopping the growth of the virus. It selectively reaches viral affected cells. It reduces the body's need for supplemental oxygen and patients can be weaned off earlier from external oxygen support. The...