Lipid profile alteration in sars coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) affected patients and its association with inflammatory markers

ABSTRACT

Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS coronavirus 2 has challenged the global healthcare system since 2019. Lipids are integral component of this enveloped virus that play an essential role in in its life cycle starting from fusion of viral membrane to host cell, viral replication and exocytosis. It also disrupts metabolic profile due to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines leading to systemic inflammation reaction. Aim and Objective Therefore, it was aimed to find association between human host serum lipid levels and its association with inflammatory markers. Materials and Methods It was a retrospective study conducted from June 2020 to December 2020, included 500 COVID-19 admitted patients tested positive by Oral/Nasopharyngeal swab by Real time PCR. Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides (TG), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL-C), High Density lipoprotein (HDL), Ferritin, Procalcitonin (PCT), High sensitive C Reactive protein (hsCRP) estimated in Vitros XT 7600 Autoanalyzer and Interleukin-6(IL-6) by ELISA. Results A significant increase in Serum Triglycerides(185mg/dL) and decrease in HDLC(30mg/dL) was observed with no remarkable finding in other lipid parameters. A statistically significant (p<0.05)positive correlation was observed between TG and inflammatory markers such as hsCRP, PCT, Ferritin, IL-6. Likewise, a negative correlation was detected between HDL-C and hsCRP, PCT, Ferritin, IL-6. Conclusion Lipid profile and host cell metabolism is altered in COVID 19 patients either by cellular infection or by systemic inflammation. Hence it is important to study lipid profile alterations in synergism with inflammatory markers. It may act as guiding step in management and prognosis of this disease.