Title:Impact of Sitagliptin on Non-diabetic Covid-19 Patients
Volume: 15
Author(s): Hayder M. Al-kuraishy, Ali I. Al-Gareeb, Naeem Qusty, Athanasios Alexiou and Gaber El-Saber Batiha*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour
University, Damanhour 22511, AlBeheira, Egypt
Keywords:
Covid-19, sitagliptin, non-diabetic patients, DPP4, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, inflammatory cytokines.
Abstract:
Objectives: In coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), SARS-CoV-2 may use dipeptidyl
peptidase 4 (DPP4) as an entry-point in different tissues expressing these receptors. DPP4 inhibitors
(DPP4Is), also named gliptins, like sitagliptin, have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects,
thereby lessen inflammatory and oxidative stress in diabetic Covid-19 patients. Therefore, the present
study aimed to illustrate the potential beneficial effect of sitagliptin in managing Covid-19 in
non-diabetic patients.
Methods: A total number of 89 patients with Covid-19 were recruited from a single center at the
time of diagnosis. The recruited patients were assigned according to the standard therapy for
Covid-19 and our interventional therapy into two groups; Group A: Covid-19 patients on the standard
therapy (n=40) and Group B: Covid-19 patients on the standard therapy plus sitagliptin
(n=49). The duration of this interventional study was 28 days according to the guideline in managing
patients with Covid-19. Routine laboratory investigations, serological tests, Complete Blood
Count (CBC), C-reactive Protein (CRP), D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and serum ferritin
were measured to observed Covid-19 severity and complications. Lung Computed Tomography
(CT) and clinical scores were evaluated.
Results: The present study illustrated that sitagliptin as an add-on to standard therapy improved
clinical outcomes, radiological scores, and inflammatory biomarkers than standard therapy alone in
non-diabetic patients with Covid-19 (P<0.01).
Conclusion: Sitagliptin as an add-on to standard therapy in managing non-diabetic Covid-19 patients
may have a robust beneficial effect by modulating inflammatory cytokines with subsequent
good clinical outcomes.
