Is highly expressed ACE 2 in pregnant women "a curse" in times of COVID-19 pandemic?

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE 2) is a membrane-bound enzyme that cleaves angiotensin II (Ang II) into angiotensin (1-7). It also serves as an important binding site for SARS-CoV-2, thereby, facilitating viral entry into target host cells. ACE 2 is abundantly present in the intestine, kidney, heart, lungs, and fetal tissues.

Alpha-lipoic acid-stearylamine conjugate-based solid lipid nanoparticles for tamoxifen delivery: formulation, optimization, in-vivo pharmacokinetic and hepatotoxicity study.

Objectives: This study was designed to demonstrate the potential of novel α-lipoic acid-stearylamine (ALA-SA) conjugate-based solid lipid nanoparticles in modulating the pharmacokinetics and hepatotoxicity of tamoxifen (TMX).

Methods: α-lipoic acid-stearylamine bioconjugate was synthesized via carbodiimide chemistry and used as a lipid moiety for the generation of TMX-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (TMX-SLNs). TMX-SLNs were prepared by solvent emulsification-diffusion method and optimized for maximum drug loading using rotatable central composite design.