ABSTRACT
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and its potential impact on the severity of COVID-19 have gained significant attention during the pandemic. This review aimed to explore the genetic determinants associated with MAFLD, previously recognized as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and their potential influence on COVID-19 outcomes. Various genetic polymorphisms, including PNPLA3 (rs738409), GCKR (rs780094), TM6SF2 (rs58542926), and LYPLAL1 (rs12137855), have been investigated in relation to MAFLD susceptibility and progression. Genome-wide association studies and meta-analyses have revealed associations between these genetic variants and MAFLD risk, as well as their effects on lipid metabolism, glucose regulation, and liver function. Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests a possible connection between these MAFLD-associated polymorphisms and the severity of COVID-19. Studies exploring the association between indicated genetic variants and COVID-19 outcomes have shown conflicting results. Some studies observed a potential protective effect of certain variants against severe COVID-19, while others reported no significant associations. This review highlights the importance of understanding the genetic determinants of MAFLD and its potential implications for COVID-19 outcomes. Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking these genetic variants to disease severity and to develop gene profiling tools for early prediction of COVID-19 outcomes. If confirmed as determinants of disease severity, these genetic polymorphisms could aid in identifying high-risk individuals and improving the management of COVID-19.
Subject(s)
Fatty Liver , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease , COVID-19ABSTRACT
The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining host health and has a significant impact on human health and disease. In this study, we investigated the alpha diversity of gut microbiota in COVID-19 patients and analyzed the impact of COVID-19 variants, antibiotic treatment, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and metformin therapy on gut microbiota composition and diversity. We used a culture-based method to analyze the gut microbiota and calculated alpha-diversity using the Shannon H' and Simpson 1/D indices. We collected clinical data, such as length of hospital stay (LoS), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). We found that patients with T2D had significantly lower alpha-diversity than those without T2D. Antibiotic use was associated with a reduction in alpha-diversity, while metformin therapy was associated with an increase. We did not find significant differences in alpha-diversity between the Delta and Omicron groups. Length of hospital stay, CRP levels, and NLR showed weak to moderate correlations with alpha diversity. Our findings suggest that maintaining a diverse gut microbiota may benefit COVID-19 patients with T2D. Interventions aimed at preserving or restoring gut microbiota diversity, such as avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use and promoting metformin therapy, may improve patient outcomes.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2ABSTRACT
The global population is currently experiencing the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which has caused the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. By our profound comprehension of COVID-19, encompassing the involvement sequence of the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal system, and cardiovascular apparatus, the multiorgan symptoms of this infectious disease have been discerned. Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a pervasive public health concern, intricately linked with metabolic dysregulation and estimated to afflict one-fourth of the global adult population. The burgeoning focus on the association between COVID-19 and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is justified by the potential role of the latter as a risk factor for both SARS-CoV-2 infection and the subsequent emergence of severe COVID-19 symptoms. Investigations have suggested that changes in both innate and adaptive immune responses among metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) patients may play a role in determining the severity of COVID-19. The remarkable similarities observed in the cytokine pathways implicated in both diseases imply the existence of shared mechanisms governing the chronic inflammatory responses characterizing these conditions. The effect of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) on the severity of COVID-19 illness remains uncertain, as indicated by conflicting results in cohort investigations.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Fatty Liver , Coronavirus Infections , Chronobiology DisordersABSTRACT
Background: Despite several targeted antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 currently being available, the application of type I interferons (IFNs) still deserves attention as an alternative antiviral strategy. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic effectiveness of IFN-α in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and community-acquired pneumonia of viral etiology. Methods The prospective cohort study included 130 adult patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). 80,000 IU of IFN-α2b was administered daily intranasally for 10 days. The primary parameters were the length of hospital stay, CT-diagnosed lung injuries and the SpO2 level after-before dynamics following IFN-α2b treatment. Results Adding IFN-α2b to standard therapy for patients with severe COVID-19 reduces the length of the hospital stay by 3 days (p < 0.001). The level of CT-diagnosed lung injuries was also reduced from 35% to 15% (p = 0.011) at the time of discharge, and CT injuries decreases at the end of hospital stay from 50% up to 15% (p = 0.017). In the group of patients receiving IFN-α2b, the SpO2 index before and after treatment increased from 94 (92-96, Q₁ - Q₃) to 96 (96-98, Q₁ - Q₃) (p < 0.001), while the percentage of patients with normal saturation increased (from 33.9% to 74.6%, p < 0.05), and decreased in the categories low (from 52.5% to 16.9%) and very low (from 13.6% to 8.5%). Conclusion Addition of IFN-α2b to standard therapy has a positive effect on the course of severe COVID-19. Nevertheless, more research on the therapeutic use of Type I IFNs should be performed.