HDL cholesterol levels and susceptibility to COVID-19

Vignesh Chidambaram, Amudha Kumar, Marie Gilbert Majella, Bhavna Seth, Ranjith Kumar Sivakumar, Dinesh Voruganti, Mahesh Bavineni, Ahmad Baghal, Kim Gates, Annu Kumari, Subhi J. Al'Aref, Panagis Galiatsatos, Petros C. Karakousis, Jawahar L. Mehta

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Host cell-membrane cholesterol, an important player in viral infections, is in constant interaction with serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). Low serum lipid levels during hospital admission are associated with COVID-19 severity. However, the effect of antecedent serum lipid levels on SARS-CoV-2 infection risk has not been explored. Methods: From our retrospective cohort from the Arkansas Clinical Data-Repository, we used log-binomial regression to assess the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among the trajectories of lipid levels during the 2 years antecedent to COVID-19 testing, identified using group-based-trajectory modelling. We used mixed-effects linear regression to assess the serum lipid level trends followed up to the time of, and 2-months following COVID-19 testing. Findings: Among the 11001 individuals with a median age of 59 years (IQR 46-70), 1340 (12.2%) tested positive for COVID-19. The highest trajectory for antecedent serum HDL-C was associated with the lowest SARS-CoV-2 infection risk (RR 0.63, 95%CI 0.46-0.86). Antecedent serum LDL-C, total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG) were not independently associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection risk. In COVID-19 patients, serum HDL-C (-7.7, 95%CI -9.8 to -5.5 mg/dL), and LDL-C (-6.29, 95%CI -12.2 to -0.37 mg/dL), but not TG levels, decreased transiently at the time of testing. Interpretation: Higher antecedent serum HDL-C, but not LDL-C, TC, or TG, levels were associated with a lower SARS-CoV-2 infection risk. Serum HDL-C, and LDL-C levels declined transiently at the time of infection. Further studies are needed to determine the potential role of lipid-modulating therapies in the prevention and management of COVID-19. Funding: Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number UL1 TR003107.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number104166
JournalEBioMedicine
Volume82
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2022

Keywords

  • LDL
  • Risk
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Total cholesterol
  • Triglycerides

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'HDL cholesterol levels and susceptibility to COVID-19'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this