ABSTRACT
Based on many reports, an unmistakable link probably exists between diabetes mellitus and COVID-19. A major predisposing factor determining severity and mortality of COVID-19 is diabetes mellitus, diabetic patients were shown to be at higher risk for developing severe COVID-19 disease than non-diabetics;many recent studies reported a striking prevalence of DM in those diagnosed with COVID-19. Accordingly, antidiabetic drugs can possibly impact the clinical course and / or the outcome of this infection, either by alleviating diabetes-associated symptoms, minimizing its complications, or by mitigating or aggravating COVID-19 disease by effects independent from their direct antidiabetic effects. Several antidiabetic drug classes were shown to have varying effects, like blocking viral entry to cells, as well as having immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, or cardioprotective effects;such effects could prove beneficial for COVID-19 patients. On the other hand, some antidiabetic agents may have adverse effects that aggravate patients’ condition like hypoglycemia, fluid retention, increased weight or lactic acidosis, which require special consideration in patient management. Some of the drugs were found in observational studies to either reduce mortality from COVID-19 or pose no harm, but more solid evidence from clinical trials is still lacking. © 2022, University of Defence, Faculty of Military Health Sciences. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Being a micronutrient, zinc involves in numerous biochemical reactions as a principle component or catalyzing enzymes for proper propagation of enzymatic function. Metabolic syndrome (MS) has been increasingly reported to be associated with derangement of the intrinsic physiological functions including suppression of micronutrient functionality and concentration. During the COVID-19 outbreak, a relatively high dose of zinc has been prescribed by private clinics for non-infected/high-risk subjects;who include patients with MS on polytherapy. We aimed to investigate the effect of 50mg-zinc tablet administered as an add-on therapy for three months to patients with MS. According to our health care providers;MS patients undergo an annual quadruple check by measuring the routine biochemical factors (serum glucose, and lipid profile), blood pressure, and body mass indices. Data were collected before and after zinc administration and statistically analyzed in comparison to the control non-zinc user group. The results confirmed that zinc positively improved measured parameters by significantly reducing blood pressure, serum glucose, and lipid indices;together with slightly modulating body mass indices. To confirm that the quality of the zinc tablet provided by the supplier, plasma zinc concentrations were also measured before and after therapy. In conclusion, zinc supplementation could be part of the therapy for metabolic diseases and we do advise intermittent zinc use in such patients.