Table 2.
Summary of studies characteristics with human models
| Drug class | Sample size, median (range) | Exposure to treatment, mean (SD) | Effect on ACE2 expression, levels or activity (number of studies) | Model tested | Site of ACE2 receptors | Condition of subject |
| Angiotensin receptor blockers | 46.5 (8–80) | 15 weeks (6) | Increase (n=2) Decrease (n=1) No effect (n=1) |
In vivo (n=3) In vitro (n=1) | Urinary (n=1) Serum (n=1) Renal (n=1) Not stated (n=1) |
Diabetes (n=1) Hypertension (n=1) Hypertension+diabetes (n=1) Diabetic+chronic kidney disease (n=1) |
| ACE inhibitors | 228 (80–375) | 12 weeks (N/A) | Increase (n=1) Decrease (n=1) |
In vitro (n=2) | Renal (n=1) Unclear (n=1) |
Diabetic+chronic kidney disease (n=1) Unclear (n=1) |
| Calcium channel blockers | N/A | Unclear | Increase ACE2 in the membrane surface (decreased in the cytosol) (n=1) | In vitro (n=1) | Cardiac | Healthy cells |
| Oestrogen | 36 (N/A) | 1 day (N/A) | Increase (n=2) No effect (n=1) |
In vitro (n=3) | Cardiac (n=1) Umbilical (n=1) Not stated (n=1) |
Heart problems (n=1) Healthy (n=1) Not stated (n=1) |
| Thiazolidinedione | Not stated | 1 day | Increase (n=1) | In vitro (n=1) | Cerebral (n=1) | Not stated |