OXIDATIVE STRESS AND CYTOKINES' INVOLVEMENT IN THE OCCURENCE AND PROGRESSION OF DIABETIC COMPLICATIONS IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC CONTEXT

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease presenting growing prevalence worldwide. Oxidative stress is involved in the development of micro- and macrovascular complications in diabetic patients. Several pro-oxidative pathways contribute to the production of reactive oxygen species which can damage different biomolecules and a variety of inflammatory cytokines are also involved in the aggravation of diabetic manifestations. COVID-19 infection enhances oxygen free radical production and intensifies the inflammation, thus has a negative impact on the evolution of diabetes mellitus and its complications. The complications of diabetes including the macrovascular and microvascular conditions as well as the psychological illnesses have a major influence on the patients' quality of life.