Repurposing Sitagliptin for COVID-19 in Adults: Clinical Benefits and An Approach for the Mechanism

Çınar G., Coşgun Yazgan S., Elhan A. H., Akdemir Kalkan İ., Gülten E., Ünal M. A., ...Daha Fazla

FLORA INFEKSIYON HASTALIKLARI VE KLINIK MIKROBIYOLOJI DERGISI, sa.2, ss.324-334, 2022 (ESCI) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2022
  • Doi Numarası: 10.5578/flora.20229816
  • Dergi Adı: FLORA INFEKSIYON HASTALIKLARI VE KLINIK MIKROBIYOLOJI DERGISI
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.324-334
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: COVID-19, DPP4 inhibitors, ACE2, Sitagliptin, SARS-CoV-2, SPIKE GLYCOPROTEIN, DOCKING
  • Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Introduction: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) has been shown to be a functional receptor for MERS-CoV. An interaction between the viral spike protein and DPP4 is thought to facilitate viral entry. We aimed to find out whether sitagliptin, a member of DPP4 inhibitors, would have beneficial effects in COVID-19 patients.Materials and Methods: In this single center retrospective study, we evaluated 58 patients of whom 16 were on sitagliptin treatment. Molecular docking studies were performed to identify possible interactions between ACE2 and sitagliptin.Results: Sitagliptin use shortened the time to clinical recovery about 3.5 and fastened viral clearance more than 5 days. Resolution of all symptoms was achieved on a mean +/- standard error (SE) of 2.50 +/- 0.40 days in sitagliptin (+) group and 5.69 +/- 0.61 days in sitagliptin (-) group (Log-rank test, p< 0.001). PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 resulted negative in mean +/- SE of 7.50 +/- 0.98 days in sitagliptin (+) and 13.17 +/- 1.07 days in sitagliptin (-) group (Log-rank test, p= 0.003). Compared to day 0, CRP, ferritin and D-dimer levels on days three, five, and seven were significantly lower whereas lymphocyte count was higher in sitagliptin (+) group.Conclusion: Our results suggest that sitagliptin seems to have a potential to be considered for the treatment of COVID-19.