Evaluation of the relationship between KIM-1 and suPAR level in COVID-19
patients and a different perspective on suPAR
Abstract
Objective: COVID-19 is one of the most important health problems
concerning the last century and our knowledge of the disease is still
limited. In our study, we aimed to compare serum-soluble urokinase
plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and kidney injury molecule-1
(KIM-1) level with clinical course in COVID-19 patients. Methods: Our
study included 102 patients over the age of 18 who were diagnosed with
Covid-19 between September 2020 and December 2020 by taking
nasopharyngeal swap and using real time PCR method and 30 volunteer
medical personnel over the age of 18 who were PCR negative after the
nasopharyngeal swap. KİM-1 and suPAR were measured by enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay. Results: NLR, LDH, prothrombin time, CRP,
PaO2/FiO2, D-Dimer, ferritin and fibrinogen levels, which have been
mentioned in previous studies to be of prognostic importance for
COVID-19, were observed to be higher in the severely ill group (p=0,001,
0,001, 0,05, 0,001, 0,001, 0,005, 0,001, 0,001 respectively). suPAR and
KIM-1 levels were statistically significantly higher in patient groups
compared to the control group (p=0.001 for all). While suPAR level was
statistically significantly lower in severe patients compared to
moderate patients (p=0.034), KIM-1 level was observed to be higher in
severe patients (p=0.001). Conclusion: The increased level of KIM-1 in
severe patients, which is thought to play an important role in the
endocytosis of SARS-CoV-2 to the cell, may have an important place for
the therapeutic target in the future. SuPAR can be considered to play an
important role especially in the defense mechanism and fibrinolysis and
its decreased level in severe patients may be associated with poor
prognosis in the early period. However, extensive studies are needed to
reach a definitive opinion about suPAR.