Effects of TGF-b Arg25Pro polymorphism on the markers of systemic inflammation, intestinal permeability, and vascular regulation in patients with bronchial asthma during post-COVID period

The condition of patients following new coronavirus infection (NCI) is accompanied by a number of pathophysiologic changes that aggravate the course of the patient’s existing pathology, which is especially manifesting by cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. Cardiovascular risk after NCI is increased many-fold as compared to the patients who did not suffer with this infection. A decreased bronchial asthma (BA) control was reported in patients within post-NCI period. Many changes remain latent for a long time without clinical manifestations but increase the risk of adverse events. Earlier laboratory detection of these abnormalities would significantly accelerate clinical decision-making to reduce the likelihood of severe changes in the future. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) plays role in the regulation and resolution of inflammatory processes. Polymorphism of the gene encoding TGF-β is known to be associated with the development of BA and atopy, development and progression of remote NCI consequences. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of TGF-β Arg25Pro polymorphism on laboratory markers of systemic inflammation, intestinal permeability and vascular regulation in patients with BA who underwent NCI. The study included 72 patients with BA including 52 women (72.22%) and 20 males (27.78%), at a mean age of 64.9±6.86 years) who had a history of NCI. All patients underwent testing to determine the genotype of TGF-β Arg25Pro polymorphism by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (Litech, Russia). Immunoassay kits (Cloud Clone Corp., China) were used to determine plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) (mg/L), zonulin (ng/mL), angiotensin-2 (pg/mL), and TGF-β. Patients with AA genotype of TGF-β Arg25Pro polymorphism had higher level of CRP (3.59; 2.95-3.88) mg/l compared to PP genotypes (1.91; 0.54-3.37) mg/l (p 1-2 = 0.028) and AP (2.45; 0.48-2.88) mg/l (p 1-3 = 0.005). Plasma zonulin levels were also higher in the group with AA genotype, compared to study groups 2 and 3 (p 1-2 = 0.023 and p 1-3 = 0.032). The group with AA genotype displayed higher TGF-β levels compared to PP genotype (p 1-2 = 0.009). The lowest angiotensin-2 concentration was found in group 1. Conclusion: TGF-β Arg25Pro polymorphism may be associated with development of systemic inflammation and increased intestinal permeability in patients with BA over the post-COVID period.