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Qiu Y, Jiang Z, Zhang J. Causal effects of BMI, waist circumference, and body fat percentage on the risk of bladder cancer: A Mendelian randomization study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e38231. [PMID: 38758881 PMCID: PMC11098251 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000038231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The causal role of body mass index (BMI) in bladder cancer (BC) by Mendelian randomization (MR) has not yet been reported. We evaluated the causal associations between the measures of obesity (BMI, waist circumference, and body fat percentage) and BC. We conducted a 2-sample MR analysis to assess the genetic effect of measures of obesity on BC. The BMI dataset (GWAS ID: ukb-b-2303) comprised 454,884 Europeans, and we identified 9,851,867 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The waist circumference data (GWAS ID: ukb-b-9405) included 462,166 Europeans and 9,851,867 SNPs. The body fat percentage dataset (GWAS ID: ukb-a-264) contained data from 331,117 Europeans and 10,894,596 SNPs. For the outcome data, the GWAS ID was finn-b-C3_BLADDER, consisting of 1115 cases and 217,677 controls, with 16,380,466 SNPs. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) model was used as the primary MR analysis. Cochran Q-statistic was used to identify heterogeneity between the SNPs. The MR-Egger and MR-PRESSO methods were employed to assess directional pleiotropy and outlier SNPs. We detected a decisive causal link between BMI and BC by the IVW analysis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.85, P = .011). The IVW analyses revealed a significant correlation between BC and waist circumference (OR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.08-2.12, P = .016). However, the IVW method (OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 0.99-2.00, P = .05) did not report any statistical significance between body fat percentage and BC. We did not observe heterogeneity and directional pleiotropy in the 3 pairs of MR studies. The 2-sample MR analysis revealed a conceivable causal association between obesity (BMI, waist circumference) and BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Qiu
- Department of Urology, The First People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, China
- Department of Urology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zheng Jiang
- Department of Urology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Physiology, Yibin Health School, Yibin, Sichuang, China
| | - Jianqiang Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, China
- Department of Urology, Ruikang Hospital, Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China Nanning, Guangxi, China
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Tsilingiris D, Vallianou NG, Spyrou N, Kounatidis D, Christodoulatos GS, Karampela I, Dalamaga M. Obesity and Leukemia: Biological Mechanisms, Perspectives, and Challenges. Curr Obes Rep 2024; 13:1-34. [PMID: 38159164 PMCID: PMC10933194 DOI: 10.1007/s13679-023-00542-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To examine the epidemiological data on obesity and leukemia; evaluate the effect of obesity on leukemia outcomes in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors; assess the potential mechanisms through which obesity may increase the risk of leukemia; and provide the effects of obesity management on leukemia. Preventive (diet, physical exercise, obesity pharmacotherapy, bariatric surgery) measures, repurposing drugs, candidate therapeutic agents targeting oncogenic pathways of obesity and insulin resistance in leukemia as well as challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic are also discussed. RECENT FINDINGS Obesity has been implicated in the development of 13 cancers, such as breast, endometrial, colon, renal, esophageal cancers, and multiple myeloma. Leukemia is estimated to account for approximately 2.5% and 3.1% of all new cancer incidence and mortality, respectively, while it represents the most frequent cancer in children younger than 5 years. Current evidence indicates that obesity may have an impact on the risk of leukemia. Increased birthweight may be associated with the development of childhood leukemia. Obesity is also associated with worse outcomes and increased mortality in leukemic patients. However, there are several limitations and challenges in meta-analyses and epidemiological studies. In addition, weight gain may occur in a substantial number of childhood ALL survivors while the majority of studies have documented an increased risk of relapse and mortality among patients with childhood ALL and obesity. The main pathophysiological pathways linking obesity to leukemia include bone marrow adipose tissue; hormones such as insulin and the insulin-like growth factor system as well as sex hormones; pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF-α; adipocytokines, such as adiponectin, leptin, resistin, and visfatin; dyslipidemia and lipid signaling; chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress; and other emerging mechanisms. Obesity represents a risk factor for leukemia, being among the only known risk factors that could be prevented or modified through weight loss, healthy diet, and physical exercise. Pharmacological interventions, repurposing drugs used for cardiometabolic comorbidities, and bariatric surgery may be recommended for leukemia and obesity-related cancer prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Tsilingiris
- First Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Natalia G Vallianou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Evangelismos General Hospital, 45-47 Ipsilantou str, 10676, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Spyrou
- Tisch Cancer Institute Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1190 One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Dimitris Kounatidis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Evangelismos General Hospital, 45-47 Ipsilantou str, 10676, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Irene Karampela
- 2nd Department of Critical Care, Medical School, University of Athens, Attikon General University Hospital, 1 Rimini Str, 12462, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Dalamaga
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias str, 11527, Athens, Greece.
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Dalamaga M, Spyrou N. Special issue on "Excess body weight and cancer: Novel biologic insights and challenges". Semin Cancer Biol 2024; 99:1-4. [PMID: 38272105 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2024.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dalamaga
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias, 11527 Athens, Greece.
| | - Nikolaos Spyrou
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1190 One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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Dalamaga M, Kounatidis D, Tsilingiris D, Vallianou NG, Karampela I, Psallida S, Papavassiliou AG. The Role of Endocrine Disruptors Bisphenols and Phthalates in Obesity: Current Evidence, Perspectives and Controversies. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:675. [PMID: 38203845 PMCID: PMC10779569 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Excess body weight constitutes one of the major health challenges for societies and healthcare systems worldwide. Besides the type of diet, calorie intake and the lack of physical exercise, recent data have highlighted a possible association between endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as bisphenol A, phthalates and their analogs, and obesity. EDCs represent a heterogeneous group of chemicals that may influence the hormonal regulation of body mass and adipose tissue morphology. Based on the available data from mechanistic, animal and epidemiological studies including meta-analyses, the weight of evidence points towards the contribution of EDCs to the development of obesity, associated disorders and obesity-related adipose tissue dysfunction by (1) impacting adipogenesis; (2) modulating epigenetic pathways during development, enhancing susceptibility to obesity; (3) influencing neuroendocrine signals responsible for appetite and satiety; (4) promoting a proinflammatory milieu in adipose tissue and inducing a state of chronic subclinical inflammation; (5) dysregulating gut microbiome and immune homeostasis; and (6) inducing dysfunction in thermogenic adipose tissue. Critical periods of exposure to obesogenic EDCs are the prenatal, neonatal, pubertal and reproductive periods. Interestingly, EDCs even at low doses may promote epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of adult obesity in subsequent generations. The aim of this review is to summarize the available evidence on the role of obesogenic EDCs, specifically BPA and phthalate plasticizers, in the development of obesity, taking into account in vitro, animal and epidemiologic studies; discuss mechanisms linking EDCs to obesity; analyze the effects of EDCs on obesity in critical chronic periods of exposure; and present interesting perspectives, challenges and preventive measures in this research area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dalamaga
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Kounatidis
- Department of Internal Medicine, ‘Evangelismos’ General Hospital, 10676 Athens, Greece; (D.K.); (N.G.V.)
| | - Dimitrios Tsilingiris
- First Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece;
| | - Natalia G. Vallianou
- Department of Internal Medicine, ‘Evangelismos’ General Hospital, 10676 Athens, Greece; (D.K.); (N.G.V.)
| | - Irene Karampela
- Second Department of Critical Care, ‘Attikon’ General University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece;
| | - Sotiria Psallida
- Department of Microbiology, ‘KAT’ General Hospital of Attica, 14561 Athens, Greece;
| | - Athanasios G. Papavassiliou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Almanza-Aguilera E, Cano A, Gil-Lespinard M, Burguera N, Zamora-Ros R, Agudo A, Farràs M. Mediterranean diet and olive oil, microbiota, and obesity-related cancers. From mechanisms to prevention. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 95:103-119. [PMID: 37543179 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Olive oil (OO) is the main source of added fat in the Mediterranean diet (MD). It is a mix of bioactive compounds, including monounsaturated fatty acids, phytosterols, simple phenols, secoiridoids, flavonoids, and terpenoids. There is a growing body of evidence that MD and OO improve obesity-related factors. In addition, obesity has been associated with an increased risk for several cancers: endometrial, oesophageal adenocarcinoma, renal, pancreatic, hepatocellular, gastric cardia, meningioma, multiple myeloma, colorectal, postmenopausal breast, ovarian, gallbladder, and thyroid cancer. However, the epidemiological evidence linking MD and OO with these obesity-related cancers, and their potential mechanisms of action, especially those involving the gut microbiota, are not clearly described or understood. The goals of this review are 1) to update the current epidemiological knowledge on the associations between MD and OO consumption and obesity-related cancers, 2) to identify the gut microbiota mechanisms involved in obesity-related cancers, and 3) to report the effects of MD and OO on these mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Almanza-Aguilera
- Unit of Nutrition and Cancer, Epidemiology Research Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Ainara Cano
- Food Research, AZTI, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Astondo Bidea, Edificio 609, 48160, Derio, Spain
| | - Mercedes Gil-Lespinard
- Unit of Nutrition and Cancer, Epidemiology Research Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Nerea Burguera
- Food Research, AZTI, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Astondo Bidea, Edificio 609, 48160, Derio, Spain
| | - Raul Zamora-Ros
- Unit of Nutrition and Cancer, Epidemiology Research Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences, and Gastronomy, Food Innovation Network (XIA), Institute for Research on Nutrition and Food Safety (INSA), Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Antonio Agudo
- Unit of Nutrition and Cancer, Epidemiology Research Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Marta Farràs
- Unit of Nutrition and Cancer, Epidemiology Research Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.
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Yin Z, Liu B, Feng S, He Y, Tang C, Chen P, Wang X, Wang K. A Large Genetic Causal Analysis of the Gut Microbiota and Urological Cancers: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study. Nutrients 2023; 15:4086. [PMID: 37764869 PMCID: PMC10537765 DOI: 10.3390/nu15184086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several observational studies and clinical trials have shown that the gut microbiota is associated with urological cancers. However, the causal relationship between gut microbiota and urological cancers remains to be elucidated due to many confounding factors. METHODS In this study, we used two thresholds to identify gut microbiota GWAS from the MiBioGen consortium and obtained data for five urological cancers from the UK biobank and Finngen consortium, respectively. We then performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis with Wald ratio or inverse variance weighted as the main method. We also performed comprehensive sensitivity analyses to verify the robustness of the results. In addition, we performed a reverse MR analysis to examine the direction of causality. RESULTS Our study found that family Rikenellaceae, genus Allisonella, genus Lachnospiraceae UCG001, genus Oscillibacter, genus Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group, genus Eubacterium ruminantium group, genus Ruminococcaceae UCG013, and genus Senegalimassilia were related to bladder cancer; genus Ruminococcus torques group, genus Oscillibacter, genus Barnesiella, genus Butyricicoccus, and genus Ruminococcaceae UCG005 were related to prostate cancer; class Alphaproteobacteria, class Bacilli, family Family XI, genus Coprococcus2, genus Intestinimonas, genus Lachnoclostridium, genus Lactococcus, genus Ruminococcus torques group, and genus Eubacterium brachy group were related to renal cell cancer; family Clostridiaceae 1, family Christensenellaceae, genus Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group, genus Clostridium sensu stricto 1, and genus Eubacterium eligens group were related to renal pelvis cancer; family Peptostreptococcaceae, genus Romboutsia, and genus Subdoligranulum were related to testicular cancer. Comprehensive sensitivity analyses proved that our results were reliable. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirms the role of specific gut microbial taxa on urological cancers, explores the mechanism of gut microbiota on urological cancers from a macroscopic level, provides potential targets for the screening and treatment of urological cancers, and is dedicated to providing new ideas for clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kunjie Wang
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology (Laboratory of Reconstructive Urology), National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu 610041, China; (Z.Y.); (S.F.); (Y.H.); (C.T.); (P.C.)
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7
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Peppa M, Manta A, Mavroeidi I, Nastos C, Pikoulis E, Syrigos K, Bamias A. Dietary Approach of Patients with Hormone-Related Cancer Based on the Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load Estimates. Nutrients 2023; 15:3810. [PMID: 37686842 PMCID: PMC10490329 DOI: 10.3390/nu15173810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hormone-related cancers, namely breast, endometrial, cervical, prostate, testicular, and thyroid, constitute a specific group of cancers dependent on hormone levels that play an essential role in cancer growth. In addition to the traditional risk factors, diet seems to be an important environmental factor that partially explains the steadily increased prevalence of this group of cancer. The composition of food, the dietary patterns, the endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and the way of food processing and preparation related to dietary advanced glycation end-product formation are all related to cancer. However, it remains unclear which specific dietary components mediate this relationship. Carbohydrates seem to be a risk factor for cancer in general and hormone-related cancers, in particular, with a difference between simple and complex carbohydrates. Glycemic index and glycemic load estimates reflect the effect of dietary carbohydrates on postprandial glucose concentrations. Several studies have investigated the relationship between the dietary glycemic index and glycemic load estimates with the natural course of cancer and, more specifically, hormone-related cancers. High glycemic index and glycemic load diets are associated with cancer development and worse prognosis, partially explained by the adverse effects on insulin metabolism, causing hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, and also by inflammation and oxidative stress induction. Herein, we review the existing data on the effect of diets focusing on the glycemic index and glycemic load estimates on hormone-related cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melpomeni Peppa
- Endocrine Unit, 2nd Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Research Institute and Diabetes Center, Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12641 Athens, Greece; (A.M.); (I.M.)
| | - Aspasia Manta
- Endocrine Unit, 2nd Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Research Institute and Diabetes Center, Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12641 Athens, Greece; (A.M.); (I.M.)
| | - Ioanna Mavroeidi
- Endocrine Unit, 2nd Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Research Institute and Diabetes Center, Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12641 Athens, Greece; (A.M.); (I.M.)
| | - Constantinos Nastos
- 3rd Department of Surgery, Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12641 Athens, Greece; (C.N.); (E.P.)
| | - Emmanouil Pikoulis
- 3rd Department of Surgery, Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12641 Athens, Greece; (C.N.); (E.P.)
| | - Konstantinos Syrigos
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Sotiria Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Aristotelis Bamias
- 2nd Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Research Institute and Diabetes Center, Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12641 Athens, Greece;
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Colella M, Topi S, Palmirotta R, D'Agostino D, Charitos IA, Lovero R, Santacroce L. An Overview of the Microbiota of the Human Urinary Tract in Health and Disease: Current Issues and Perspectives. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1486. [PMID: 37511861 PMCID: PMC10381901 DOI: 10.3390/life13071486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
This article is intended to deepen our knowledge to date regarding the functions of the resident microbiota/microbiome in the urinary system for human health and disease. First, we sought to report the general characteristics (composition and stability) of the normal urinary system microbiota in the different anatomical sites in relation to some factors such as the effect of age, gender and diet, analyzing in detail the functions and the composition of the microbiota in the light of current knowledge. Several pieces of evidence suggest the importance of preserving the micro-ecosystem of the urinary system, and in some cases their relationship with diseases is important for maintaining human health is well understood. The female and male reproductive microbiota have mainly been studied over the past decade. In the past, the arrest was thought to have taken place in a sterile environment. Microorganisms of the microbiota form biofilms, three-dimensional structures, that differ in the reproductive organs and interact with both gametes and the embryo as well as with maternal tissues. These biofilms from the reproductive system also interact with others, such as that of the gastrointestinal tract. Reduction in its diversity intestinal microbiota can disrupt estrogen metabolism and affect the reproductive microbiota. It is therefore understood that its quantitative and qualitative identification is important for microbiota, but also the study of the structures formed by the microorganisms. A dysbiosis with local or systemic causes can lead to serious diseases. The role of probiotics in maintaining microbial population harmony (eubiosis) and preventing certain pathologies of the urinary and reproductive system was also investigated. A negative variation in the qualitative and quantitative composition of certain strains of microorganisms (dysbiosis) due to local or systemic causes can even lead to serious diseases. The role of probiotics in maintaining the healthy balance of microorganism populations (eubiosis), and thus in the prevention of certain pathologies of the urinary and reproductive system, has also been studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marica Colella
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza G. Cesare, 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Skender Topi
- Department of Clinical Disciplines, School of Technical Medical Sciences, University of Elbasan "A. Xhuvani", 3001 Elbasan, Albania
| | - Raffaele Palmirotta
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza G. Cesare, 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Donato D'Agostino
- Department of Clinical Disciplines, School of Technical Medical Sciences, University of Elbasan "A. Xhuvani", 3001 Elbasan, Albania
| | - Ioannis Alexandros Charitos
- Respiratory Rehabilitation Unit, Clinical Scientific Institutes Maugeri (IRCCS), Section of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Roberto Lovero
- AOU Policlinico Consorziale di Bari-Ospedale Giovanni XXIII, Clinical Pathology Unit, Policlinico University Hospital of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Luigi Santacroce
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Piazza G. Cesare, 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
- Department of Clinical Disciplines, School of Technical Medical Sciences, University of Elbasan "A. Xhuvani", 3001 Elbasan, Albania
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Tsilingiris D, Vallianou NG, Karampela I, Christodoulatos GS, Papavasileiou G, Petropoulou D, Magkos F, Dalamaga M. Laboratory Findings and Biomarkers in Long COVID: What Do We Know So Far? Insights into Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Therapeutic Perspectives and Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10458. [PMID: 37445634 PMCID: PMC10341908 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Long COVID (LC) encompasses a constellation of long-term symptoms experienced by at least 10% of people after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection, and so far it has affected about 65 million people. The etiology of LC remains unclear; however, many pathophysiological pathways may be involved, including viral persistence; a chronic, low-grade inflammatory response; immune dysregulation and a defective immune response; the reactivation of latent viruses; autoimmunity; persistent endothelial dysfunction and coagulopathy; gut dysbiosis; hormonal and metabolic dysregulation; mitochondrial dysfunction; and autonomic nervous system dysfunction. There are no specific tests for the diagnosis of LC, and clinical features including laboratory findings and biomarkers may not specifically relate to LC. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to develop and validate biomarkers that can be employed for the prediction, diagnosis and prognosis of LC and its therapeutic response, although this effort may be hampered by challenges pertaining to the non-specific nature of the majority of clinical manifestations in the LC spectrum, small sample sizes of relevant studies and other methodological issues. Promising candidate biomarkers that are found in some patients are markers of systemic inflammation, including acute phase proteins, cytokines and chemokines; biomarkers reflecting SARS-CoV-2 persistence, the reactivation of herpesviruses and immune dysregulation; biomarkers of endotheliopathy, coagulation and fibrinolysis; microbiota alterations; diverse proteins and metabolites; hormonal and metabolic biomarkers; and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. At present, there are only two reviews summarizing relevant biomarkers; however, they do not cover the entire umbrella of current biomarkers, their link to etiopathogenetic mechanisms or the diagnostic work-up in a comprehensive manner. Herein, we aim to appraise and synopsize the available evidence on the typical laboratory manifestations and candidate biomarkers of LC, their classification based on pathogenetic mechanisms and the main LC symptomatology in the frame of the epidemiological and clinical aspects of the syndrome and furthermore assess limitations and challenges as well as potential implications in candidate therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Tsilingiris
- First Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece;
| | - Natalia G. Vallianou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Evangelismos General Hospital, 45-47 Ipsilantou Street, 10676 Athens, Greece;
| | - Irene Karampela
- 2nd Department of Critical Care, Medical School, University of Athens, Attikon General University Hospital, 1 Rimini Street, 12462 Athens, Greece;
| | | | - Georgios Papavasileiou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece; (G.P.); (D.P.)
| | - Dimitra Petropoulou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece; (G.P.); (D.P.)
| | - Faidon Magkos
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Sports, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Frederiksberg, Denmark;
| | - Maria Dalamaga
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece; (G.P.); (D.P.)
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