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Štampar P, Blagus T, Goričar K, Bogovič P, Turel G, Strle F, Dolžan V. Genetic variability in the glucocorticoid pathway and treatment outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a pilot study. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1418567. [PMID: 39135792 PMCID: PMC11317398 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1418567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Corticosteroids are widely used for the treatment of coronavirus disease (COVID)-19. Genetic polymorphisms of the glucocorticoid receptor, metabolizing enzymes, or transporters may affect treatment response to dexamethasone. This study aimed to evaluate the association of the glucocorticoid pathway polymorphisms with the treatment response and short-term outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19. Methods: Our pilot study included 107 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 treated with dexamethasone and/or methylprednisolone, genotyped for 14 polymorphisms in the glucocorticoid pathway. Results: In total, 83% of patients had severe disease, 15.1% had critical disease and only 1.9% had moderate disease. CYP3A4 rs35599367 was the major genetic determinant of COVID-19 severity as carriers of this polymorphism had higher risk of critical disease (OR = 6.538; 95% confidence interval = 1.19-35.914: p = 0.031) and needed intensive care unit treatment more frequently (OR = 10; 95% CI = 1.754-57.021: p = 0.01). This polymorphism was also associated with worse disease outcomes, as those patients had to switch from dexamethasone to methylprednisolone more often (OR = 6.609; 95% CI = 1.137-38.424: p = 0.036), had longer hospitalization (p = 0.022) and needed longer oxygen supplementation (p = 0.040). Carriers of NR3C1 rs6198 polymorphic allele required shorter dexamethasone treatment (p = 0.043), but had higher odds for switching therapy with methylprednisolone (OR = 2.711; 95% CI = 1.018-7.22: p = 0.046). Furthermore, rs6198 was also associated with longer duration of hospitalization (p = 0.001) and longer oxygen supplementation (p = 0.001). NR3C1 rs33388 polymorphic allele was associated with shorter hospitalization (p = 0.025) and lower odds for ICU treatment (OR = 0.144; 95% CI = 0.027-0.769: p = 0.023). GSTP1 rs1695 was associated with duration of hospitalization (p = 0.015), oxygen supplementation and (p = 0.047) dexamethasone treatment (p = 0.022). Conclusion: Our pathway-based approach enabled us to identify novel candidate polymorphisms that can be used as predictive biomarkers associated with response to glucocorticoid treatment in COVID-19. This could contribute to the patient's stratification and personalized treatment approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricija Štampar
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Blagus
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katja Goričar
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Petra Bogovič
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gabriele Turel
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Franc Strle
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vita Dolžan
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Mourelatos P, Vrettou CS, Diamantopoulos A, Vassiliou AG, Jahaj E, Angelousi A, Pratikaki M, Katsaounou P, Kotanidou A, Vassiliadi DA, Dimopoulou I. A prospective study on endocrine function in patients with long-COVID symptoms. Hormones (Athens) 2024; 23:59-67. [PMID: 37996650 DOI: 10.1007/s42000-023-00511-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate hormonal status in patients with long-COVID and explore the interrelationship between hormone levels and long-COVID symptoms. DESIGN Prospective observational study. PARTICIPANTS Patients who visited our long-COVID outpatients' clinic due to long-COVID symptoms from February 2021 to December 2022. MEASUREMENTS Total triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, thyrotropin, thyroglobulin, anti-thyroperoxidase, and antithyroglobulin autoantibodies were measured for thyroid assessment. Other hormones measured were growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), serum cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), total testosterone, plasma insulin, and C-peptide. Blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin were also measured. To assess adrenal reserve, an ACTH stimulation test was performed. The fatigue assessment scale (FAS) was used to evaluate fatigue severity. RESULTS Eighty-four adult patients were included. Overall, 40.5% of the patients had at least one endocrine disorder. These included prediabetes (21.4%), low DHEA-S (21.4%), subclinical hypothyroidism (3.6%), non-specific thyroid function abnormality (7.1%), thyroid autoimmunity (7.1%), low testosterone in males (6.6%), and low IGF-1 (3.6%). All patients had normal adrenal reserve. Long-COVID-19 symptoms were present in all patients and the most commonly reported symptom was fatigue (89.3%). The FAS score was higher than normal (≥ 22) in 42.8% of patients. There were no associations between patients' symptoms and hormone levels. Diabetic patients reported confusion (p = 0.020) and hair loss (p = 0.040) more often than non-diabetics. CONCLUSIONS The evaluation of endocrine function 3 months after a positive SARS-CoV2 test revealed only subclinical syndromes. The vast majority of patients reported mainly fatigue, among other symptoms, which were unrelated, however, to endocrine function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Mourelatos
- Department of Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism, National Expertise Center for Rare Endocrine Diseases, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Charikleia S Vrettou
- First Department of Critical Care Medicine & Pulmonary Services, Evangelismos Hospital, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - Aristidis Diamantopoulos
- Department of Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism, National Expertise Center for Rare Endocrine Diseases, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Alice G Vassiliou
- First Department of Critical Care Medicine & Pulmonary Services, Evangelismos Hospital, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Edison Jahaj
- First Department of Critical Care Medicine & Pulmonary Services, Evangelismos Hospital, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Anna Angelousi
- Unit of Endocrinology, First Department of Internal Medicine, Laiko Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Pratikaki
- Biochemical Department, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Katsaounou
- First Department of Critical Care Medicine & Pulmonary Services, Evangelismos Hospital, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasia Kotanidou
- First Department of Critical Care Medicine & Pulmonary Services, Evangelismos Hospital, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitra A Vassiliadi
- Department of Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism, National Expertise Center for Rare Endocrine Diseases, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioanna Dimopoulou
- First Department of Critical Care Medicine & Pulmonary Services, Evangelismos Hospital, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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3
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Al‐Kuraishy HM, Al‐Maiahy TJ, Al‐Gareeb AI, Alexiou A, Papadakis M, Elhussieny O, Saad HM, Batiha GE. New insights on the potential effect of progesterone in Covid-19: Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Immun Inflamm Dis 2023; 11:e1100. [PMID: 38018575 PMCID: PMC10683562 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.1100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 is higher in men than women and sex hormones have immune-modulator effects during different viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2 infection. One of the essential sex hormones is progesterone (P4). AIMS This review aimed to reveal the association between P4 and Covid-19. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The possible role of P4 in COVID-19 could be beneficial through the modulation of inflammatory signaling pathways, induction of the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and inhibition release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. P4 stimulates skew of naïve T cells from inflammatory Th1 toward anti-inflammatory Th2 with activation release of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and activation of regulatory T cells (Treg) with decreased interferon-gamma production that increased during SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, P4 is regarded as a potent antagonist of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), it could reduce MRs that were activated by stimulated aldosterone from high AngII during SARS-CoV-2. P4 active metabolite allopregnanolone is regarded as a neurosteroid that acts as a positive modulator of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABAA ) so it may reduce neuropsychiatric manifestations and dysautonomia in COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSION Taken together, the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of P4 may improve central and peripheral complications in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayder M. Al‐Kuraishy
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutic Medicine, College of MedicineMustansiriyah UniversityBaghdadIraq
| | - Thabat J. Al‐Maiahy
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, College of MedicineAl‐Mustansiriyah UniversityBaghdadIraq
| | - Ali I. Al‐Gareeb
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutic Medicine, College of MedicineMustansiriyah UniversityBaghdadIraq
| | - Athanasios Alexiou
- University Centre for Research & DevelopmentChandigarh UniversityMohaliPunjabIndia
- Department of Science and EngineeringNovel Global Community Educational FoundationHebershamNew South WalesAustralia
- Department of Research & DevelopmentAFNP MedWienAustria
| | - Marios Papadakis
- Department of Surgery II, University Hospital Witten‐Herdecke, Heusnerstrasse 40University of Witten‐HerdeckeWuppertalGermany
| | - Omnya Elhussieny
- Department of Histology and Cytology, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineMatrouh UniversityMarsa MatruhEgypt
| | - Hebatallah M. Saad
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineMatrouh UniversityMarsa MatruhEgypt
| | - Gaber El‐Saber Batiha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineDamanhour University, DamanhourAlBeheiraEgypt
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4
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Durcan E, Hacioglu A, Karaca Z, Unluhizarci K, Gonen MS, Kelestimur F. Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis Function and Adrenal Insufficiency in COVID-19 Patients. Neuroimmunomodulation 2023; 30:215-225. [PMID: 37703857 PMCID: PMC10614450 DOI: 10.1159/000534025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of COVID-19 has affected more than half a billion people worldwide and caused more than 6 million deaths since 2019. The responsible virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), primarily affects the lungs, but it has multisystemic effects. It is well known that dysfunction of multiple endocrine organs may occur during or after COVID-19. Impairment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is of utmost importance as it may lead to death if went undiagnosed. SARS-CoV-2 may cause both primary and secondary adrenal insufficiencies (AIs). The clinical manifestations of AI are generally non-specific and might be attributed to the complications caused by the infection itself. The underlying pathogenetic mechanisms were explained by the immunogenic, vascular effects of the infection or the direct effects of the virus. The diagnosis of AI in critically ill patients with COVID-19 is not straightforward. There is lack of consensus on the cut-off values of basal serum cortisol levels and stimulation tests during the disease. Here we review the literature with a special regard on the evaluation of the HPA axis in patients with COVID-19. We conclude that the possibility of AI should always be kept in mind when dealing with patients with COVID-19, and repeated basal cortisol measurements and the ACTH stimulation test results could guide the clinician during the diagnostic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Durcan
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aysa Hacioglu
- Department of Endocrinology, Medical School, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Zuleyha Karaca
- Department of Endocrinology, Medical School, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Kursad Unluhizarci
- Department of Endocrinology, Medical School, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Sait Gonen
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fahrettin Kelestimur
- Department of Endocrinology, Medical School, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
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5
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Nicolaides NC, Chrousos GP. Glucocorticoid Signaling Pathway: From Bench to Bedside. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11030. [PMID: 37446208 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids were named by Hans Hugo Bruno Selye, the modern father of stress concepts, for their important role in glucose metabolism [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas C Nicolaides
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Function and Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia 1683, Cyprus
| | - George P Chrousos
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Bellastella G, Cirillo P, Carbone C, Scappaticcio L, Maio A, Botta G, Tomasuolo M, Longo M, Pontillo A, Bellastella A, Esposito K, De Bellis A. Neuroimmunoendocrinology of SARS-CoV 2 Infection. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2855. [PMID: 36359373 PMCID: PMC9687863 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
This review is aimed at illustrating and discussing the neuroimmune endocrinological aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in light of the studies on this topic that have so far appeared in the literature. The most characteristic findings and pending controversies were derived by PubMed and Scopus databases. We included original and observational studies, reviews, meta-analysis, and case reports. The entry of the coronavirus into susceptible cells is allowed by the interaction with an ecto-enzyme located on human cells, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). SARS-CoV-2 also targets the central nervous system (CNS), including hypothalamic-pituitary structures, as their tissues express ACE2, and ACE2 mRNA expression in hypothalamus and pituitary gland cells has been confirmed in an autoptic study on patients who died of COVID 19. SARS-CoV-2 infection may cause central endocrine disorders in acute phase and in post-COVID period, particularly due to the effects of this virus at CNS level involving the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The aggression to the hypothalamus-pituitary region may also elicit an autoimmune process involving this axis, responsible consequently for functional disorders of the satellite glands. Adrenal, thyroid and gonadal dysfunctions, as well as pituitary alterations involving GH and prolactin secretions, have so far been reported. However, the extent to which COVID-19 contributes to short- and long-term effects of infection to the endocrine system is currently being discussed and deserves further detailed research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Bellastella
- Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Cirillo
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Carla Carbone
- Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Scappaticcio
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonietta Maio
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Graziella Botta
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Tomasuolo
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Miriam Longo
- Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pontillo
- Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Katherine Esposito
- Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria De Bellis
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
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Greenhalgh DG, Green TL, Lim D, Cho K. BACTERIAL PATHOGEN-ASSOCIATED MOLECULAR PATTERNS UPREGULATE HUMAN GLUCOCORTICOID RECEPTOR EXPRESSION IN PERIPHERAL BLOOD MONONUCLEAR CELLS. Shock 2022; 58:393-399. [PMID: 36156050 DOI: 10.1097/shk.0000000000002004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT It is well known that bacterial components (pathogen-associated molecular patterns [PAMPs]) induce a proinflammatory response through pattern recognition receptor signaling. What is not known, however, is how the inflammatory response is downregulated. We hypothesize that bacterial products initiate compensatory anti-inflammatory responses by inducing expression of the human glucocorticoid receptor (hGR). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from leukocytes concentrated from single human donors (Leukopaks). PBMCs were treated with a gram-negative bacterial component, LPS, or gram-positive bacterial components, lipoteichoic acid (LTA) or peptidoglycan (PGN), for 1, 3, or 13 h. Protein expression of hGR was evaluated by Western blot analysis. RNA was extracted from similarly treated cells for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis of hGR and cytokine expression. At 13 h after LPS treatment, there was an increase in the reference hGR protein (hGRα) expressed within some but not all PBMCs isolated from Leukopaks. There was also a dose-dependent increase in hGRα expression with increasing concentrations of PGN (10 and 50 μg/mL). LTA, however, did not affect hGRα expression. PGN also increased the mRNA expression of an hGR splice variant, hGR-B(54). The mRNA expression changes for the inflammatory cytokines were Leukopak specific. We found that cell wall components of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria can increase the expression of hGRα. Although these PAMPs augment the inflammatory response, it seems that there is a simultaneous upregulation of hGRα expression. Because binding of cortisol to hGRα typically induces anti-inflammatory proteins, the same PAMPs that induce an inflammatory response seem to also initiate a negative feedback system by inducing hGRα expression in PBMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tajia L Green
- Shriners Children's Northern California, Sacramento, California
| | - Debora Lim
- Department of Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California
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8
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Sezer S, Bal C, Kalem AK, Kayaaslan B, Eser F, Hasanoglu İ, Akıncı E, Güner R, Erel Ö, Yılmaz G. COVID-19 patients with altered steroid hormone levels are more likely to have higher disease severity. Endocrine 2022; 78:373-379. [PMID: 35907083 PMCID: PMC9362412 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-022-03140-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to evaluate the correlations between the severity of the disease and serum steroid levels by analyzing the serum steroid levels in COVID-19 patients with different levels of disease progression and the control group. METHODS Morning serum Aldosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, Androstenedione, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), Corticosterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), Estrone, Estradiol, Progesterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone, Cortisol, Corticosterone, Androsterone, Pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone and 21-deoxycortisol levels were measured in 153 consecutive patients were grouped as mild, moderate, and severe based on the WHO COVID-19 disease severity classification and the control group. Steroid hormone levels were analyzed at once with a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method (LC-MS/MS). RESULTS In our study, nearly all steroids were statistically significantly higher in the patients' group than in the control group (p < 0.001). Also, DHEA was an independent indicator of the disease severity with COVID-19 CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals that the alteration in steroid hormone levels was correlated with disease severity. Also, steroid hormone levels should be followed up during COVID-19 disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sevilay Sezer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Ceylan Bal
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ayşe Kaya Kalem
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Bircan Kayaaslan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Fatma Eser
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - İmran Hasanoglu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Esragül Akıncı
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Health Sciences University, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Rahmet Güner
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Özcan Erel
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Gülsen Yılmaz
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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9
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Jensterle M, Herman R, Janež A, Mahmeed WA, Al-Rasadi K, Al-Alawi K, Banach M, Banerjee Y, Ceriello A, Cesur M, Cosentino F, Galia M, Goh SY, Kalra S, Kempler P, Lessan N, Lotufo P, Papanas N, Rizvi AA, Santos RD, Stoian AP, Toth PP, Viswanathan V, Rizzo M. The Relationship between COVID-19 and Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis: A Large Spectrum from Glucocorticoid Insufficiency to Excess—The CAPISCO International Expert Panel. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137326. [PMID: 35806331 PMCID: PMC9266848 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly heterogeneous disease regarding severity, vulnerability to infection due to comorbidities, and treatment approaches. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis has been identified as one of the most critical endocrine targets of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that might significantly impact outcomes after infection. Herein we review the rationale for glucocorticoid use in the setting of COVID-19 and emphasize the need to have a low index of suspicion for glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency, adjusting for the glucocorticoid formulation used, dose, treatment duration, and underlying health problems. We also address several additional mechanisms that may cause HPA axis dysfunction, including critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency, the direct cytopathic impacts of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the adrenals, pituitary, and hypothalamus, immune-mediated inflammations, small vessel vasculitis, microthrombotic events, the resistance of cortisol receptors, and impaired post-receptor signaling, as well as the dissociation of ACTH and cortisol regulation. We also discuss the increased risk of infection and more severe illness in COVID-19 patients with pre-existing disorders of the HPA axis, from insufficiency to excess. These insights into the complex regulation of the HPA axis reveal how well the body performs in its adaptive survival mechanism during a severe infection, such as SARS-CoV-2, and how many parameters might disbalance the outcomes of this adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojca Jensterle
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Medical Center Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.J.); (R.H.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rok Herman
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Medical Center Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.J.); (R.H.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andrej Janež
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Medical Center Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.J.); (R.H.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +386-1-522-35-64
| | - Wael Al Mahmeed
- Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 112412, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Khalid Al-Rasadi
- Medical Research Center, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 113, Oman;
| | - Kamila Al-Alawi
- Department of Training and Studies, Royal Hospital, Ministry of Health, Muscat 113, Oman;
| | - Maciej Banach
- Department of Preventive Cardiology and Lipidology, Medical University of Lodz (MUL), 90-419 Lodz, Poland;
- Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute (PMMHRI), 93-338 Lodz, Poland
- Cardiovascular Research Centre, University of Zielona Gora, 65-417 Zielona Gora, Poland
| | - Yajnavalka Banerjee
- Department of Biochemistry, Mohamed Bin Rashid University, Dubai P.O. Box 505055, United Arab Emirates;
| | | | - Mustafa Cesur
- Clinic of Endocrinology, Ankara Güven Hospital, 06540 Ankara, Turkey;
| | - Francesco Cosentino
- Unit of Cardiology, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, University of Stockholm, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Massimo Galia
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (Bind), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Su-Yen Goh
- Department of Endocrinology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 169856, Singapore;
| | - Sanjay Kalra
- Department of Endocrinology, Bharti Hospital & BRIDE, Karnal 132001, India;
| | - Peter Kempler
- Department of Medicine and Oncology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Nader Lessan
- The Research Institute, Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 48338, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Paulo Lotufo
- Center for Clinical and Epidemiological Research, University Hospital, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil;
| | - Nikolaos Papanas
- Diabetes Center, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, 68100 Alexandroupoli, Greece;
| | - Ali A. Rizvi
- Department of Medicine, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL 32827, USA;
| | - Raul D. Santos
- The Heart Institute (InCor), University of Sao Paulo Medical School Hospital, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil;
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo 05652-900, Brazil
| | - Anca P. Stoian
- Faculty of Medicine, Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, Carol Davila University, 050474 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Peter P. Toth
- Cicarrone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | | | - Manfredi Rizzo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (Promise), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
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