RETN Gene Polymorphisms as a Risk Factor in Diabetic Patients with Covid-19 Infection

Aims: People with diabetes mellitus (DM) represent a population group that is at high risk of developing a poor prognosis for Covid-19. Having diabetes increases the risk of serious illness, ICU stay, and death from Covid-19. The present study aimed to determine RETN gene polymorphisms as a risk factor in diabetic patients with Covid-19 infection. Instruments Methods: The current study included 150 participants with diabetes, 100 patients of whom had Covid-19 (46 male, 54 female), and 50 had diabetes only (28 male, 22 female). Five ml of venous blood was collected from participants, then used for examining the blood sugar and HbA1c levels and molecular study. Findings: There was a significant increase in random blood sugar and HbA1C concentrations in diabetic patients infected with Covid-19 compared to diabetic patients only. Regarding the molecular study of the gene encoding the protein resistin, diabetic patients with Covid-19 had a high frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms compared to diabetic patients only. Polymorphisms of X494T.C, X663A.C, X494T.C, and X663A.C recorded significant differences, while the polymorphisms of rs3219177, X542A.C, and rs3745367 did not show a significant difference. Conclusion: Diabetic parameters increase in diabetic patients with covid-19 compared to diabetic patients without Covid-19. In addition, diabetic patients with Covid-19 have a high frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the RETN gene.