Impact of Sitagliptin on Non-diabetic Covid-19 Patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVE 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 management 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 add-on standard therapy improved clinical outcomes, radiological scores, and inflammatory biomarkers than standard therapy alone in non-diabetic patients with Covid-19 (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Sitagliptin add-on standard therapy in managing non-diabetic Covid-19 patients may have a robust beneficial effect by modulating inflammatory cytokines with subsequent good clinical outcomes.