Evaluating the expression of IDO and TNF-α and vitamin D levels in diabetic patients cured of MERS-CoV compared to the control groups

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2, the new virus responsible for the current coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, has infected people around the world since the first case was reported in Wuhan, China. As more epidemiological data is collected on COVID-19 patients, factors that increase the severity of infection are identified and reported. It is well known that diabetes is one of the most frequently associated comorbidities with worse outcomes for COVID-19 patients, as it is considered a high-risk aggregate of COVID-19. In addition to low NAD availability and exacerbation of infection. These patients are predisposed to severe COVID-19 pathophysiology due to a metabolic imbalance. The current study looked at the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF- α) and IDO (the NAD-biosynthesizing enzyme), as well as serum vitamin D levels and triglycerides. This study included 100 participants: 25 patients with type 2 diabetes who recovered from COVID-19, 25 type 2 diabetic patients who were not infected with COVID-19, and 25 not-diabetic subjects who recovered from COVID-19 compared to 25 healthy control. TNF-α and IDO levels were measured with quantitative PCR, while vitamin D levels were measured with competitive fluorescent immunoassay technology.