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 released 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 Küçükusta brought up a curious subject in an article he wrote in Independent Turkish. In his published article, Küçükusta referred to different recent studies and showed how insulin can have effects against 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, it is stated that reducing the insulin level may reduce the risk of COVID-19.
It was also reported in the research that a protein found in the adipose tissue, called GRP78, facilitates the entry of SARS-CoV-2, which enters the cell via 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 medications 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, it was seen that factors such as exercise and calorie restriction can reduce the expression of GRP78 in adipose tissues. 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. According to the examples given from previous studies, it was emphasized that the risk of death from COVID-19 in patients treated with insulin is 27.2%, while the risk of people treated with other diabetes medications is 3.5%.
Küçükusta, who also underlined how metformin affects the risk of death due to COVID-19, 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 the others, and it was revealed that the risk was reduced by four times.
Finally, Küçükusta stated that obesity and diabetes are 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.
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