Purpose: With the extensive presence of Covid-19, it is imperative to find compounds that can obstruct the virus's inflammatory activity and perhaps even stop the inflammatory phase from occurring. Several neuropeptides act as immune system regulators, which nerve terminals release as co-transmitters. It has been suggested that Neuropeptide Y (NPY) may be involved in inflammatory diseases through its ability to regulate the function of inflammatory cells. Consequently, the present study was designed to examine the changes in this neuropeptide in the serum of patients with Covid-19 disease, particularly following anti-inflammatory treatment, and its relationship with other inflammatory factors such as TNF-α.
Methods: The demographic information, vital and clinical signs (blood oxygen saturation level, blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature), laboratory factors such as blood factors, inflammation, and blood electrolytes, as well as the use of steroids, were collected before and after steroid treatment the patient files. As part of the study, serum samples from patients were used to measure levels of NPY and TNF-α inflammatory factors using an ELISA kit. Additionally, the correlation between NPY values, other inflammatory factors, and other variables was examined before and after treatment.
Results: NPY, TNF-α, c-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels were significantly reduced after steroid treatment. But the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) factor level increased after treatment compared to the initial evaluation. Lymphocytes and neutrophils also changed after drug treatment. Results indicated a high correlation between NPY and TNF-α. In addition to TNF-α, NPY, creatinine, and BUN presented a direct and significant relationship. ESR and BUN factors showed a positive and significant correlation regarding the length of hospitalization. However, the correlation between NPY and TNF-α with hospitalization length was insignificant.
Conclusion: Since the current study had a significant association between NPY and TNF-α, the regulating function of this peptide in Covid-19 inflammatory processes may be validated. Enough that it is crucial to consider NPY as a marker and its antagonist as a potential Covid-19 therapy. Also, the considerable reduction in NPY levels after steroid therapy to lower inflammatory variables supports the regulatory function of this peptide in inflammatory processes.
Keywords: Covid-19; Inflammation; Neuropeptide Y; TNF-α; Biomarker; Immunomodulators; Steroid Drugs..