A relationship of contactin-1 with a number of trace elements in Iraqi rheumatoid arthritis patients with and without COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Anti-inflammatory intermediaries like contactin-1 (CNTN-1) play an essential role in regulating several diseases, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). This paper explores the relationship between CNTN-1 and a number of trace elements in RA patients with and without COVID19. Accordingly, it investigates whether there are any correlations between CNTN-1 and some trace elements. Materials and Methods: The paper involved 56 patients, where 28 suffer from RA without any complications, the other 28 have RA with COVID19 attending Al-Fallujah teaching hospital and 28 healthy persons matching in age, sex and ethnic background as control group. Serum level of contactin-1 was estimated by ELISA technique while Uric acid, urea, creatinine, lipid Profile, zinc, copper, ferrous and magnesium were assessed by colorimetric enzymatic methods. Results: The results demonstrated that Contactin-1 serum concentrations had existed more significantly in patients with and without COVID19. However, RA patients and RA with Covid-19 patients showed lower levels of magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and Fe/Cu ratio. High serum concentrations of CNTN-1 have been identified and associated positively with ESR and Cu/Zn, while serum concentrations of CNTC-1 were positively related with total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), copper (Cu), zn and iron (Fe). Compared to other biomarkers studies, ESR and CNTN-1 showed the highest ROC curve value. Conclusion: Serum CNTN-1 levels can be used as a novel biomarker in the detection of RA and may be an effective biomarker in the diagnostic of RA with and without COVID19.