Gene Expression of Human Interleukin 3 and Human Interleukin 6 in Obese and Smokers of Covid-19 Patients in Wasit Province, Iraq

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, emerged in China in late 2019 and rapidly reached pandemic status. The virus displays tropism for the respiratory system, causing symptoms that range from an acute respiratory syndrome, manifested in mild form in the vast majority of cases, and progressing in some cases to an extremely severe. Obesity and smoking are causing and increasing health problems all over the world. In combination with the current COVID-19 pandemic, led to increased risk of getting severe COVID-

19. The aim of this study is determination of IL-6 and IL-3 gene expression and compare it with the IL-6 and IL-3 serum levels in smoking and obese patients with Covid-19 infection . So this study included 25 obese COVID-19 patients, 25 smokers with COVID-19, 25 non-obese & non-smoking COVID-19 patients (as control positive) and 25 healthy people (as negative control). Real-Time PCR used in quantification of IL-3 and IL-6 genes expression, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits used to measure serum IL-3 and IL-6 levels. The expression & serum levels of IL-3& IL-6 was significantly increased a significant increasing (p<0.0001) in SARS-Cov-2 patients groups in comparison to control group (healthy individuals), also there is a significant increasing (p<0.0001) in IL-3 & IL-6 expression & levels of obese covid-19 patients group & smokers covid-19 Patients group in comparison with positive control group. Furthermore, There was a significant value of IL-6 with IL-3 serum levels and IL-6 with IL-3 gene expression and correlated positively