Edae CK, Bedada AT, Teklemariam MD, Girma T, Gebre SG. Longitudinal effects of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccination on metabolic biomarkers in type 2 diabetes mellitus in Ethiopia.
World J Diabetes 2025;
16:105447. [DOI:
10.4239/wjd.v16.i6.105447]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2025] [Revised: 03/30/2025] [Accepted: 05/15/2025] [Indexed: 06/13/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disproportionately impacted individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), increasing their risk of severe illness and mortality. Vaccination has been a crucial intervention in mitigating these risks. However, the metabolic effects of COVID-19 vaccination, particularly the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine, in diabetic populations remain inadequately explored. This study investigated the longitudinal effects of the J&J vaccine on lipid and eicosanoid biomarkers to assess its metabolic safety and potential cardiovascular benefits.
AIM
To evaluate the long-term impact of the J&J COVID-19 vaccine on lipid and eicosanoid biomarkers in Ethiopian patients with T2DM.
METHODS
This prospective cohort study was conducted at Adama Hospital Medical College (Oromia, Ethiopia) from May 2023 to June 2024. A total of 224 T2DM patients (57 vaccinated, 167 unvaccinated) were monitored for 1 year. Biomarkers including triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), prostaglandins (PGs), and thromboxanes (TXs) were measured at baseline and at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 1 year post-vaccination. Statistical analyses included Generalized Estimating Equations to assess longitudinal biomarker changes.
RESULTS
TG and PG levels remained stable across all time points. HDL levels showed a temporary decline at 3 months (mean difference [MD] = -4.33; P < 0.001) and 6 months (MD = -2.62; P < 0.001) but recovered by 9 months (MD = 2.09; P = 0.001) and 1 year (MD = 2.38; P < 0.001). TC exhibited a significant decrease at 3 months (MD = -16.44, P = 0.001) before stabilizing. TX levels showed a consistent decline across all follow-ups (e.g., 1 year: MD = -0.08; P = 0.036), suggesting a reduced thrombotic risk. Correlation analysis indicated significant interrelations among biomarkers, emphasizing their roles in metabolic and inflammatory pathways.
CONCLUSION
The J&J COVID-19 vaccine exhibited metabolic safety in patients with T2DM, with transient HDL and TC reductions that later stabilized and a sustained TX decline, suggesting potential cardiovascular benefits. Further studies are needed to explore long-term immunometabolic effects on high-risk populations.
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