Association of Low Molecular Weight Plasma Aminothiols with the Severity of Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Evgeny Vladimirovich Kryukov,Vladimir Olegovich Karpov,Alexander Mikhaylovich Dygai,Maria Petrovna Kruglova,Sergei Petrovich Kazakov,Alexander Vladimirovich Ivanov,Aslan Amirkhanovich Kubatiev,Valery Vasil’evich Alexandrin,Gennady Ivanovich Kostiuchenko,Alessandra Durazzo

doi:10.1155/2021/9221693

Abstract

Objective Aminothiols (glutathione (GSH), cysteinylglycine (CG)) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but the possible association of these indicators with the severity of COVID-19 has not yet been investigated. Methods The total content (t) and reduced forms (r) of aminothiols were determined in patients with COVID-19 (n = 59) on admission. Lung injury was characterized by computed tomography (CT) findings in accordance with the CT0-4 classification. Results Low tGSH level was associated with the risk of severe COVID-19 (tGSH ≤ 1.5 μM, mild vs. moderate/severe: risk ratio (RR) = 3.09, p = 0.007) and degree of lung damage (tGSH ≤ 1.8 μM, CT < 2 vs. CT ≥ 2: RR = 2.14, p = 0.0094). The rGSH level showed a negative association with D-dimer levels (ρ = −0.599, p = 0.014). Low rCG level was also associated with the risk of lung damage (rCG ≤ 1.3 μM, CT < 2 vs. CT ≥ 2: RR = 2.28, p = 0.001). Levels of rCG (ρ = −0.339, p = 0.012) and especially tCG (ρ = −0.551, p = 0.004) were negatively associated with platelet count. In addition, a significant relationship was found between the advanced oxidation protein product level and tGSH in patients with moderate or severe but not in patients with mild COVID-19. Conclusion Thus, tGSH and rCG can be seen as potential markers for the risk of severe COVID-19. GSH appears to be an important factor to oxidative damage prevention as infection progresses. This suggests the potential clinical efficacy of correcting glutathione metabolism as an adjunct therapy for COVID-19.

Highlights

The treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a focus of medical research since 2020
We investigated the plasma levels of the rand t-forms of Hcy, Cys, CG, and GSH in COVID-19 patients, in order to identify their associations with traditionally used laboratory parameters and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP, a marker of oxidative stress (OS)) and to identify the possible impact of these LMWTs on COVID-19 severity and level of lung injury
Three (5%) patients had severe COVID-19, and two of them had a degree of lung damage that corresponded to CT4

Summary

Introduction

The treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a focus of medical research since 2020. Endothelial dysfunction plays a key role in the pathogenesis of this condition, and the disease develops as a result of the disruption of the surface protein angiotensin IIconverting enzyme (ACE II). This triggers numerous pathways that dysregulate the homeostasis of vascular tone and permeability and leads to impaired lung function and in some cases to multiple organ failure [1]. Markers of COVID-19 severity and prognosis are being actively studied.

Results

Discussion

Conclusion