Effects of l-arginine Supplementation in Patients with COVID Disease and Possible Role of GH/IGF-I Axis in Regulating Immune Response: Preliminary Results

UOSD Malattie Endocrine Del Ricambio e Della Nutrizione, Ospedale del Mare ASL Napoli, Italy
UOC Patologia Clinica, Ospedale del Mare, ASL NapolI1, Italy

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Health Sci J

Abstract:

Background and aim: Recent studies have suggested a possible link between GH-IGF-I axis impairment and COVID-19 disease (COVD) severity, reporting a potential beneficial effect of the administration of GH secretagogues in the high-risk groups. The current study aims at investigating retrospectively the effects of L-arginine supplementation in patients with COVD in addition to standard therapy, evaluating a possible role of GH/IGF-I axis in regulating immune response. Patients and methods: A total of 15 patients admitted to the COVID Center (4 F/11 M, mean age 58.9 years) entered the present study. All patients were treated for a mean time of 10.8 days with L-arginine supplementation. Disease severity, inflammatory response and GH/IGF-I levels were evaluated before and after therapy. Results: At baseline evaluation 5 patients (33%) had severe pneumonia associated with severe disease and 4 out of 5 patients (80%) had low IGF-I levels. Seven had moderate pneumonia (46%) associated with normal IGF-I levels, and 3 had mild pneumonia (20%), 1 out of 3 patients had low IGF-I levels. 11 patients were on O2 supplementations (73%). After L-arginine therapy, IGF-I levels increased significantly (p=0.001), and CRP, procalcitonin, fibrinogen, ferritin, d-dimers, WBC and lymphocyte levels reduced significantly (p=0.0001). Five patients were still treated with O2 supplementation (33%). Discussion: The results of the present study suggest that severe COVD should be associated with low GH/IGF-I levels and L-arginine could have a beneficial effect, in addition to standard therapy, in improving patient’s outcome.

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