Relationship Between Insulin Level and COVID-19 Examined

As we all know, the effects of COVID-19 have started to increase significantly in our country and in the world due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. The data announced by Health Minister Koca in the last few days show that the number of cases has reached 100 thousand or even exceeded. Even though the disease has lost its effect, the record number of cases raises people’s concerns.

Now Chest Diseases Specialist prof. Dr. Rasim KucukustaIn an article he wrote in Independent Turkish, he brought up a curious subject. Küçükusta referred to different recent researches in his published article and of insulin He showed how it could have effects against the COVID-19 disease.

Reducing insulin levels lowers risk of COVID-19

According to a new study led by the University of Oslo, high insulin levels may predispose groups of people at risk, such as diabetics, obese, and the elderly, to COVID. For this reason too reducing insulin levels COVID-19 risk can lower is expressed.

found in adipose tissue and GRP78 It was also reported in the study that a protein called the spike protein facilitates the entry of SARS-CoV-2, which enters the cell through the spike protein. Experts added that it increases the expression of GRP78, that is, the production of functional protein, to which the spike protein directly binds in cells exposed to insulin. In addition, diabetes drugs such as metformin can reduce the expression levels of GRP78; It was also included in the research that this situation may lead to a decrease in the risk of COVID-19.

Additionally, in this research, scientists also conducted experiments on mice. In these experiments exercise and calorie restriction It was observed that factors such as GRP78 expression in adipose tissues could decrease. This revealed that obese, elderly and diabetic people are at greater risk due to high insulin levels, and factors such as exercise are important in reducing the risk of COVID.

Insulin therapy increases risk of death from COVID-19

It was also stated that insulin therapy can increase deaths due to COVID-19. Based on examples from previous research, the risk of death from COVID-19 in patients receiving insulin therapy 27.2%while the risk of people being treated with other diabetes medications is 3.5% was emphasized.

also metformin Underlining how it affects the risk of death due to COVID-19, Küçükusta cited a study conducted in China as an example. In this study; 283 diabetic patients using and not using metformin were analyzed and compared. There was no difference in the risk of hospitalization in the results; however, a reduced risk of death was found. It was stated that the risk was 2.9% in those using metformin, and 12.3% in others. decreased fourfold appeared.

Finally, Kucukusta, obesity and diabetes is associated with COVID-19 disease; underlined that the risk of death increased significantly. Emphasizing that COVID should not be fought without considering insulin resistance, the professor added that he thinks the issue should be taken into consideration more.