SOD2 rs4880 and GPX1 rs1050450 polymorphisms do not confer risk of COVID-19, but influence inflammation or coagulation parameters in Serbian cohort

Objectives: Due to the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of COVID-19, it is biologically plausible that inter-individual differences in patients' clinical manifestations might be affected by antioxidant genetic profile. The aim of our study was to assess the distribution of antioxidant genetic polymorphisms Nrf2 rs6721961, SOD2 rs4880, GPX1 rs1050450, GPX3 rs8177412, and GSTP1 (rs1695 and rs1138272) haplotype in COVID-19 patients and controls, with special emphasis on their association with laboratory biochemical parameters. Methods: The antioxidant genetic polymorphisms were assessed by appropriate PCR methods in 229 COVID-19 patients and 229 matched healthy individuals. Results: Among examined polymorphisms, only GSTP1 haplotype was associated with COVID-19 risk (p = 0.009). Polymorphisms of SOD2 and GPX1 influenced COVID-19 patients' laboratory biochemical profile: SOD2*Val allele was associated with increased levels of fibrinogen (p = 0.040) and ferritin (p = 0.033), whereas GPX1*Leu allele was associated with D-dimmer (p = 0.009). Discussion: Our findings regarding the influence of SOD2 and GPX1 polymorphisms on inflammation and coagulation parameters might be of clinical importance. If confirmed in larger cohorts, these developments could provide a more personalized approach for better recognition of patients prone to thrombosis and those for the need of targeted antioxidant therapy.