Serum FGF-21 Levels During COVID-19 Infection Recovery Period

Abstract

Aim: Mitochondrial dysfunction causes oxidative stress, which triggers the release of proinflammatory cytokines, which play an important role in the immune response. One of these cytokines, fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21), has demonstrated an increase in its level in severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection. In this context, this study aimed to investigate whether FGF-21 can be used in the follow-up of COVID-19 infection. Methods: This study was conducted as a cross-sectional design between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022. This study included women and men over 18 years old who had recovered from the COVID-19 infection (n=27). The data regarding hospitalization place (internal medicine ward, internal medicine ward + intensive care unit), comorbidities, vital signs, acute respiratory distress syndrome development, and applied treatments were obtained from hospital records. Fibroblast growth factor-21 levels were specifically studied for this study. Results: The FGF-21 level was found to be 254 pg/mL at the beginning of the study and increased to 454 pg/mL at the end of the study. The difference was found to be statistically significant (p=0.004). Conclusion: Considering the increasing level of FGF-21 compared to the beginning of the infection, it is thought that FGF-21 plays a role in the healing process in the COVID-19 infection.