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Anosmia and dysgeusia among COVID-19 patients are associated with low levels of serum Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1)
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  • Eli Ben-Chetrit,
  • Ami Ben Yaa'cov,
  • Ahamad Quiteineh,
  • Ohad Atia,
  • Eran Regev,
  • Eyal Shteyer,
  • Rizan Nashef
Eli Ben-Chetrit
Shaare Zedek Medical Center

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Ami Ben Yaa'cov
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
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Ahamad Quiteineh
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
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Ohad Atia
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
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Eran Regev
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
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Eyal Shteyer
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
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Rizan Nashef
Shaare Zedek Medical Center
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Abstract

Purpose: Anosmia and dysgeusia (AD) are common among COVID-19 patients. These symptoms are not frequently associated with rhinorrhea or nasal congestion and the underlying mechanism is unclear. Previous reports suggested that Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) signaling plays a role in the modulation of olfaction and geusia. We aimed to assess the correlation between GLP-1 and COVID-19-associated AD. Methods: Blood samples obtained from COVID-19 patients with and without AD were tested for serum GLP-1 levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A second control group comprised of COVID-19-negative volunteers. Results: Forty-nine subjects were included in the study. Nineteen were positive for COVID-19. Of the 19 patients, ten had AD and nine declined such complaints. Age and basic metabolic rate were similar among all study groups. Serum GLP-1 levels were significantly lower among patients with AD as compared with patients without AD and COVID-19-negative individuals (1820 pg/ml vs 3536 pg/ml vs 3014 pg/ml, respectively, p<0.02). Conclusion: COVID-19 patients who reported of AD had lower serum levels of GLP-1 as compared with those lacking AD symptoms and COVID-19-negative individuals. These results suggest that GLP-1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of AD. However, further larger scale studies should corroborate our findings
08 Jul 2021Submitted to International Journal of Clinical Practice
08 Jul 2021Submission Checks Completed
08 Jul 2021Assigned to Editor
09 Jul 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
19 Oct 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
27 Oct 2021Editorial Decision: Accept