COVID-19 Hastalarında TNF-α Düşüşünü Etkileyen Faktörler

Abstract

Aim: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) have several functions, including cell survival, differentiation, and proliferation. TNF-α may effect the cell death during the cytokine storm that occurred during COVID-19 infection. We aimed to investigate, the factors that affects the TNF-α decrease in COVID-19 patients.
 Material and Methods: Totally 44 individuals with COVID-19 infection were included the study. Blood counts, biochemical examinations and D-dimer examinations were obtained. Comorbidities and initial symptoms of the patients were recorded. TNF-α, CRP and ferritin values were measured twice on the 1st and 7th days of hospitalization. The change in this values were examined according to comorbidities, initial symptoms and steroid usage.
 Results: Of a total of 44 patients, 56.8% were male (25/44) and 43.2 % were female (19/44). TNF-α decrease was found to be statistically significant in non-diabetic patients, while TNF-α decrease was found to be insignificant in diabetic patients. CRP decrease was found to be statistically significant in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients while ferritin decrease was insignificant in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. While TNF-α and CRP decreased statistically significantly in those without lung disease, it was observed that both TNF-α and CRP decreases were not significant in those with lung disease. The decrease in TNF-α and CRP was statistically insignificant in those who did not treated with steroids, while the decrease in TNF-α and CRP was significant in those who treated with steroids.
 Conclusion: Steroids decreases the TNF-α levels. TNF decrease is not significant in those with diabetes and lung disease.