Selenium, selenoprotein P, and oxidative stress levels in SARS-CoV-2 patients during illness and recovery

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess tendency of oxidative stress in COVID-19 patients depending on severity. METHODS: The study was conducted with 80 post-COVID-19 disease patients and 40 acutely ill patients. Content of selenium in blood plasma was detected by a fluorimetric method with di-amino-naphthalene using acidic hydrolysis. Selenoprotein P, malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal and their metabolite adducts were evaluated by spectrophotometric methods using commercial assay kits. RESULTS: Obtained results showed that selenium content in blood for post-COVID-19 disease patients was of a similar lower norm for Latvian inhabitants. Selenium and seleno-protein P contents for acute patients were significantly decreased compared with post-COVID-19 disease patients. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, COVID-19 involves induction of antioxidant systems—in case of severe disease, patients have significantly low concentration of selenium, seleno-protein P and higher level of oxidative stress, which, in turn, confirms the more intense formation of free radicals in the body.