The Cytokine Profiles and Immune Response Are Increased in COVID-19 Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

• Published in: Journal of diabetes research 2021-01, Vol.2021, p.9526701-8
• Main Authors: Zheng, Mao, Wang, Xiaobing, Guo, Hui, Fan, Yinguang, Song, Zichen, Lu, Zhaohui, Wang, Jinquan, Zheng, Changcheng, Dong, Lin, Ma, Yan, Zhu, Yuyou, Fang, Haoshu, Ye, Shandong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biomarkers - blood; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Body mass index; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - virology; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - virology; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - blood; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - immunology; COVID-19 - virology; Cytokine storm; Cytokines - blood; Cytokines - immunology; Diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - epidemiology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - immunology; Drugs; Female; Glucose; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Illnesses; Inflammation Mediators - blood; Inflammation Mediators - immunology; Insulin; Laboratories; Length of Stay; Male; Metabolism; Middle Aged; Mortality; Pandemics; Patients; Prognosis; Reagents; Respiratory diseases; SARS-CoV-2 - immunology; Sepsis; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Time Factors
• ISSN: 2314-6745; 2314-6753
• DOI: 10.1155/2021/9526701

The induction of inflammation and cytokine storm was proposed to play a critical role in COVID-19. This study is aimed at investigating the relationship between glucose metabolism and the inflammatory state of inpatients with COVID-19. 71 inpatients with COVID-19 were classified into nondiabetes mellitus (NDM) group, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) group, and diabetes mellitus (DM) group. The average hospitalization days were significantly shorter in DM patients when compared with patients in the IFG group and NDM group. CD4+ T cell percentage was higher while CD8+ T cells percentage was lower in the DM group than those in the NDM group. The serum levels of IL-6, IL-2, IL-10, and INF-γ in the DM group were upregulated when compared with those in the NDM group. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-2, IL-10, and INF-γ were significantly higher in the DM group than those in the IFG group. A significant difference was observed in CD4+ T cell, CD4+/CD8+ ratio percentage, IL-6, and IL-10 between the NDM group and DM group with adjusted BMI. In conclusion, COVID-19 patients with elevated glucose levels have promoted cytokine profiles and immune response.