COVID-19 vaccine does not affect male reproductive health (Based on RNA sequencing data)

Objective. To evaluate the effect of COVID-19 vaccine on molecular features of semen samples based on the gene expression analysis. Materials and methods. 10 men of reproductive age with no history of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were inlcuded in this study. Six men were planning to get vector-based COVID-19 vaccine «Gam-COVID-Vac» («Sputnik-V») of the National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after N.F. Gamaleya, four men were included in the control group. Gene expression level in semen samples of men who received COVID-19 vaccine was analyzed using RNA-sequencing (semen samples were collected prior to the vaccination and 75 days after the administration of the second dose of the «Gam-COVID-Vac» vaccine). The semen samples, collected of men of the control group at the same time interval, were also analyzed using RNA-sequencing. Results. Comparative analysis of the gene expression level in the semen samples collected prior to and after getting COVID-19 vaccine did not reveal statistically significant changes in the intracellular molecular pathways functioning. Conclusion. Study results indicate the absence of an adverse effects of the «Gam-COVID-Vac» («Sputnik-V») vaccine on molecular features of semen samples. © 2021, Media Sphera Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

N-acetylcysteine as a part of complex treatment of moderate COVID-associated pneumonia

The need for safe and effective treatment is becoming increasingly urgent due to the high COVID-19 mortality rates observed worldwide. The choice of drug products for COVID-19 treatment regimens is based on the efficacy and safety data, the mechanism of action, and potential interactions. N-acetylcysteine's (NAC) pharmacological activity and its potential to suppress the progression of COVID-19 make it a promising therapeutic agent for COVID-19. Aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of NAC in the complex treatment of moderate COVID-associated pneumonia. Methods. The study included adult patients (n = 46) with moderate COVID-associated (the 2nd degree on CT) pneumonia (age 57 (51;71) years, body mass index – 30 (27.1;32.3) kg/m2, duration of the disease before hospitalization – 7 (6;8) days, body temperature at the admission – 37.5 (37.1;37.8)°С). The patients were randomized into two study groups. The 1st group (n = 22) received standard COVID-19 treatment [1]. The 2nd group (n = 24) additionally received NAC 1,200 – 1,500 mg/day intravenously. Treatment with NAC was started together with the standard therapy. Results. Our study showed that the inclusion of NAC in the complex treatment of moderate COVID-associated pneumonia led to a statistically significant increase in blood oxygen saturation, oxygenation index, the difference in delta increase in oxygenation index, a quicker reduction in the volume of lung damage, and the difference between the groups in delta reduction of this index. Also, the rate of reduction of C-reactive protein and reduction of the duration of hospitalization in the group of patients who received NAC was statistically significantly more profound than in the standard treatment group. Conclusion. The study confirmed the effectiveness of NAC as a part of the complex treatment of moderate COVID-associated pneumonia. © 2021 Medical Education. All rights reserved.