ABSTRACT
Aim: We performed the current study to evaluate the effects of caspase-3 (CASP3) gene expression levels and their products on preventing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Materials and Methods: A total of 41 individuals (male: 21; female: 20) with SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in the current study. Blood samples were drawn from the patients. Hemograms were examined from patient blood samples, and CASP3 gene expression levels were detected. In addition, Human CASP3 levels were determined from the serum samples obtained from the blood of patients. Results: The mean age of patients was 56.220 ± 18.937 years. Statistically significant differences were detected among all groups for CASP3 2−ΔΔCt (χ2 = 10.609; p = 0.014) and CASP3 concentration (p = 0.024). When both CASP3 2−ΔΔCt and CASP3 concentration levels of the related genes and blood parameters were evaluated. The relation between CASP3 2−ΔΔCt levels and haemoglobin (p = 0.023), between CASP3 2−ΔΔCt levels and C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.001), between CASP3 2−ΔΔCt levels and ferritin (p = 0.003), between CASP3 2−ΔΔCt levels and lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.001) and between CASP3 2−ΔΔCt levels and SpO2 (p = 0.006) were statistically significant. Also, the relation between CASP3 concentration levels and SpO2 was statistically significant (p < 0.046). Conclusion: The CASP3 gene and/or its products have an important function to prevent injury caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. They play crucial roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis and viability. Perhaps CASP3 levels can provide information about the severity of the disease.
Fuente: Journal of Medical Virology
29 September 2021
