Comparative Characteristics of the Immunometabolic Profile of Individuals with Newly Developed Metabolic Disorders and Classic Metabolic Syndrome

Introduction: Immune dysfunction plays a significant role in metabolic syndrome, contributing to both IR and chronic low-grade inflammation. This immune dysfunc-tion is characterized by overproduction of inflammatory cytokines among which of primary importance are tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and MCP-1, whereas others such as IFN-γ, IL-17А, and the anti-inflammatory IL-10 appear to be of secondary importance. Cytokines also play a significant role in post-COVID disorders contributing to prolonged immune dysregulation and persistent subclinical inflammation. However, their role in the newly emerging metabolic disorders follow-ing infection remains poorly defined. Methods and materials: In the current study 78 patients (26 men and 52 women) were included, divided into two groups - group 1 (individuals with newly diagnosed car-bohydrate disorders after proven COVID-19 or post-COVID group; n=35) and group 2 (COVID-19 negative persons with Metabolic Syndrome; n=33). They were further di-vided into several subgroups according to type of metabolic disorder present. Standard biochemical, hormonal and immunological parameters were measured using ELISA and ECLIA methods, as wells as some indices for assessment of insulin resistance were calculated using the corresponding formula. Results: Patients from both groups demonstrate similar (P>0.05) metabolic parameters including BMI, lipid profile, uric acid, whereas those from the Post-COVID group demonstrated poor glycaemic parameters (Fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c) (P< 0.05). Patients from both Post-COVID and COVID-negative group demonstrated high levels of IR, the latter having higher mean values of both indices. Higher TNF-α and IL-10 values were registered in the Post-COVID group (P>0.05) whereas higher levels of INF-γ (P< 0.001) and IL-17A we registered in the COVID-negative group (P>0.05). A lot of correlations were found between the immunological parameters evaluated and the metabolic ones. Conclusion: The observed changes in both metabolic and immune parameters studied among the two groups show many similarities, but some significant differences have also been identified. What can be asserted is that cytokines definitely have an im-portant role in Post-COVID newly-emerging metabolic disorders contributing to both adipose tissue dysfunction, IR, dysglycaemia and dyslipidemia observed.