Oxidative Stress and Lipid Profile During Acute Phase of COVID-19 Infection and After Recovery: Evidence of a Sequel in LDL

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the atherogenicity (quality) of LDL particles in patients with acute and recovered from COVID-19 infection. The participants were adults, aged 18 years or older of both sexes. Those with positive RT-PCR results at baseline were included in the Acute COVID-19 group (n = 33), and those with negative RT-PCR six months after acute infection, were included in the Recovered COVID-19 group (n = 30). The LDL quality was evaluated using three validated methods: Z-scan, UV–visible spectroscopy, and Lipoprint system. The Recovered COVID-19 group showed significantly higher numbers of large LDL particles (less atherogenic) than the Acute COVID-19 group (P < 0.05). We also found that COVID-19 infection was associated with the oxidative modification of LDL particles. D-dimer and CRP levels were correlated with Z-scan results and antioxidant-amount estimate. Moreover, we noticed that the infection left a sequel in LDL quality, even after six months of recovery. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring lipids during and after recovery from COVID-19 infection, and their potential deleterious effect on the LDL profile might correlate with the progression of atherosclerosis and poor clinical outcomes.