A decrease in the concentration of free blood glutathione in the acute phase of coronavirus infection

Abstract

Aim of the study: to investigate the dynamics of glutathione metabolite concentrations in the blood of patients during the acute phase of coronavirus infection, as well as their dependencies on each other, on NAD⁺ metabolites, the severity of the infl ammatory response, and pre-existing conditions. Materials and methods. Changes in the concentration of oxidized and reduced forms of glutathione and their ratio, as well as clinical and biochemical parameters, including NAD⁺ and NADPH⁺ metabolites, were analyzed in patients with new coronavirus infection COVID-19 during the acute phase. Results. A signifi cant decrease in the concentration of both reduced and oxidized forms of glutathione and an increase in the ratio of reduced to oxidized forms compared to the control were demonstrated. A positive correlation was noted between the severity of respiratory failure and the oxidized form of glutathione and NADPH⁺. The reduced form of glutathione had a positive correlation with the concentration of NAD⁺ and NADPH⁺ and a negative correlation with the presence of obesity and ferritin concentration. Conclusion. For the fi rst time, a decrease in the concentration of key components of the cell’s antioxidant defense system — glutathione system — has been shown in patients with COVID-19, opening up prospects for the development of treatment methods for patients in the active phase using sulfhydryl group donors.