American Society of Hirudotherapy

PEROXIDATION OF SALIVA LIPIDS IN PATIENTS WITH POSTCOVID SYNDROME DURING HIRUDOTHERAPY

Research article published in Georgian medical news (2024)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Research reportSalivary PharmacologyClinical TrialsSerikbayeva S et al. · Georgian medical news, 2024

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: With COVID-19, there are isolated reports of a change in the free radical oxidation of blood lipids in the body of patients, however, the state of the half-AOS of saliva remains unexplored. At the same time, the editors of three scientific medical journals have already adopted the author's concept of the name of the disease - "COVID - 19 - POST-COVID SYNDROME". MATERIAL AND METHODS: The saliva of 63 patients with postcovid syndrome (PСS) served as the object of the study. The individual sensitivity of patients to xenobiotics was determined using the isoniazid method. According to the results of sensitivity to xenobiotics, patients were divided into groups: resistant, sensitive and very sensitive groups. RESULTS: Thus, the results of the conducted studies indicate a significant increase in the intensity of free radical lipid oxidation in postcovid syndrome, an increase in the prooxidant index of saliva associated with the sensitivity of the body to xenobiotics. The work carried out made it possible to determine the feasibility of using a medical leech for the rehabilitation of patients with PKS, depending on sensitivity to xenobiotics. The use of hirudotherapy inhibits the intensity of free radical oxidation processes, makes it possible to prevent the development of oxidative stress. CONCLUSION: PKS is characterized by activation of the processes of lipoperoxidation of saliva, an increase in the content of primary, secondary and final POL products in it. The degree of increase in the prooxidant index in the saliva of patients with PKS depends on the sensitivity of the body to xenobiotics.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Publication typeJournal Article
Indexed MeSH termsHumansSalivaCOVID-19Lipid PeroxidationMaleFemaleOxidative StressAdultMiddle AgedLeechingSARS-CoV-2Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome

Summary

With COVID-19, there are isolated reports of a change in the free radical oxidation of blood lipids in the body of patients, however, the state of the half-AOS of saliva remains unexplored.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This study examined salivary lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress markers in 63 patients with post-COVID syndrome, categorized by xenobiotic sensitivity using the isoniazid method, and evaluated whether hirudotherapy influenced these markers during rehabilitation. It is directly relevant to hirudotherapy, as the authors report that medical leech application appeared to inhibit free radical oxidation processes and may help prevent oxidative stress in post-COVID patients, while also proposing that xenobiotic sensitivity profiling could guide leech therapy decisions. The conceptual link to antioxidant or salivary-secretome-mediated effects is plausible but not mechanistically dissected here. A meaningful caveat is that the abstract provides minimal quantitative outcome data, no statistical detail, and no characterization of which leech-derived components might be responsible, so the reported associations and the feasibility conclusion remain preliminary and require further validation.

Citation

PEROXIDATION OF SALIVA LIPIDS IN PATIENTS WITH POSTCOVID SYNDROME DURING HIRUDOTHERAPY.

Serikbayeva S et al. · Georgian medical news, 2024

Added to ASH library: March 18, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026

This website provides educational information and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Medicinal leech therapy carries clinically meaningful risks and should be performed only by qualified clinicians under institutionally approved protocols. FDA 510(k) clearance for medicinal leeches is limited to specific indications; investigational and off-label discussions are labeled accordingly. For patient-specific guidance, consult a qualified healthcare provider.