1
|
Kuliczkowska-Płaksej J, Jawiarczyk-Przybyłowska A, Zembska A, Kolačkov K, Syrycka J, Kałużny M, Polowczyk-Kawałko B, Kubicka E, Bolanowski M. Ghrelin and Leptin Concentrations in Patients after SARS-CoV2 Infection. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12103551. [PMID: 37240656 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12103551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV2 infection can lead to severe cytokine storm especially in obese patients. Ghrelin acts not only as an appetite regulator but can also play a key role in the immune reaction. Leptin, secreted mainly by the white adipose tissue, can act as a pro-inflammatory cytokine. The crucial question is whether or not the cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients with obesity is linked to adipokine dysregulation. The aim of this study was to assess ghrelin and leptin concentrations in patients 6 months after SARS-CoV2 infection in comparison to a control group considering the influence of sex. The study group included 53 patients with a history of COVID-19 and 87 healthy subjects in the control group. Leptin and ghrelin concentrations as well as hormonal and biochemical parameters were measured. A significantly higher ghrelin concentration was observed in the COVID-19 group in comparison to the control group, with a statistically significant impact of sex on the relationship between COVID-19 and ghrelin concentration, which was lower in the males. No statistically significant differences in leptin concentration were observed between the groups. A significant negative correlation was observed between ghrelin and testosterone and morning cortisol levels in the COVID-19 group. The current study showed that ghrelin levels were significantly higher in patients 6 months after a mild course of SARS-CoV2 infection. To confirm the hypothetical protective role of ghrelin in the inflammatory process, it would be necessary to compare serum ghrelin levels between patients after mild and severe courses of COVID-19. Due to the small sample size and the lack of patients with a severe course of COVID-19, these observations need further investigation. There were no differences in leptin concentrations between the COVID-19 patients and the control group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Kuliczkowska-Płaksej
- Department and Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Isotope Therapy, Wrocław Medical University, Wybrzeże Pasteura 4, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Jawiarczyk-Przybyłowska
- Department and Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Isotope Therapy, Wrocław Medical University, Wybrzeże Pasteura 4, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Zembska
- Department and Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Isotope Therapy, Wrocław Medical University, Wybrzeże Pasteura 4, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kolačkov
- Department and Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Isotope Therapy, Wrocław Medical University, Wybrzeże Pasteura 4, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Syrycka
- Department and Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Isotope Therapy, Wrocław Medical University, Wybrzeże Pasteura 4, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Kałużny
- Department and Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Isotope Therapy, Wrocław Medical University, Wybrzeże Pasteura 4, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Beata Polowczyk-Kawałko
- Department and Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Isotope Therapy, Wrocław Medical University, Wybrzeże Pasteura 4, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Eliza Kubicka
- Department and Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Isotope Therapy, Wrocław Medical University, Wybrzeże Pasteura 4, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Marek Bolanowski
- Department and Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Isotope Therapy, Wrocław Medical University, Wybrzeże Pasteura 4, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Potential Antioxidative, Anti-inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Effects of Ghrelin, an Endogenous Peptide from the Stomach in SARS-CoV2 Infection. Int J Pept Res Ther 2021; 27:1875-1883. [PMID: 33880115 PMCID: PMC8050636 DOI: 10.1007/s10989-021-10217-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The current COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most devastating events in recent history. The respiratory effects of this disease include acute respiratory distress syndrome, systemic inflammation, cytokine storm, and pulmonary fibrosis. Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, is a peptide hormone secreted mainly by the stomach. Interestingly, ghrelin possesses promising antioxidant, anti-and inflammatory effects, making it an attractive agent to reduce the complications of the SARS-CoV-2. In addition, ghrelin exerts a wide range of immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects and can mitigate the uncontrolled cytokine production responsible for acute lung injury by upregulating PPARγ and down-regulating NF-κB expression. Ghrelin has also been reported to enhance Nrf2 expression in inflammatory conditions which led to the suppression of oxidative stress. The current opinion summarizes the evidence for the possible pharmacological benefits of ghrelin in the therapeutic management of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Collapse
|
3
|
Gupta S, Mitra A. Heal the heart through gut (hormone) ghrelin: a potential player to combat heart failure. Heart Fail Rev 2020; 26:417-435. [PMID: 33025414 DOI: 10.1007/s10741-020-10032-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Ghrelin, a small peptide hormone (28 aa), secreted mainly by X/A-like cells of gastric mucosa, is also locally produced in cardiomyocytes. Being an orexigenic factor (appetite stimulant), it promotes release of growth hormone (GH) and exerts diverse physiological functions, viz. regulation of energy balance, glucose, and/or fat metabolism for body weight maintenance. Interestingly, administration of exogenous ghrelin significantly improves cardiac functions in CVD patients as well as experimental animal models of heart failure. Ghrelin ameliorates pathophysiological condition of the heart in myocardial infarction, cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, cachexia, and ischemia reperfusion injury. This peptide also exerts significant impact at the level of vasculature leading to lowering high blood pressure and reversal of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. However, the molecular mechanism of actions elucidating the healing effects of ghrelin on the cardiovascular system is still a matter of conjecture. Some experimental data indicate its beneficial effects via complex cellular cross talks between autonomic nervous system and cardiovascular cells, some other suggest more direct receptor-mediated molecular actions via autophagy or ionotropic regulation and interfering with apoptotic and inflammatory pathways of cardiomyocytes and vascular endothelial cells. Here, in this review, we summarise available recent data to encourage more research to find the missing links of unknown ghrelin receptor-mediated pathways as we see ghrelin as a future novel therapy in cardiovascular protection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shreyasi Gupta
- Department of Zoology, Triveni Devi Bhalotia College, Raniganj, Paschim Bardhaman, 713347, India
| | - Arkadeep Mitra
- Department of Zoology, City College , 102/1, Raja Rammohan Sarani, Kolkata, 700009, India.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Implications of Oxidative Stress and Potential Role of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in COVID-19: Therapeutic Effects of Vitamin D. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9090897. [PMID: 32967329 PMCID: PMC7555731 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9090897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to its high degree of contagiousness and like almost no other virus, SARS-CoV-2 has put the health of the world population on alert. COVID-19 can provoke an acute inflammatory process and uncontrolled oxidative stress, which predisposes one to respiratory syndrome, and in the worst case, death. Recent evidence suggests the mechanistic role of mitochondria and vitamin D in the development of COVID-19. Indeed, mitochondrial dynamics contribute to the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, and its uncoupling involves pathological situations. SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with altered mitochondrial dynamics with consequent oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory state, cytokine production, and cell death. Furthermore, vitamin D deficiency seems to be associated with increased COVID-19 risk. In contrast, vitamin D can normalize mitochondrial dynamics, which would improve oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory state, and cytokine production. Furthermore, vitamin D reduces renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system activation and, consequently, decreases ROS generation and improves the prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thus, the purpose of this review is to deepen the knowledge about the role of mitochondria and vitamin D directly involved in the regulation of oxidative stress and the inflammatory state in SARS-CoV-2 infection. As future prospects, evidence suggests enhancing the vitamin D levels of the world population, especially of those individuals with additional risk factors that predispose to the lethal consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Collapse
|
5
|
Noda M, Uemura Y, Yoshii Y, Horita T, Takemi S, Sakata I, Sakai T. Circulating messenger for neuroprotection induced by molecular hydrogen. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2019; 97:909-915. [DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2019-0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Molecular hydrogen (H2) showed protection against various kinds of oxidative-stress-related diseases. First, it was reported that the mechanism of therapeutic effects of H2was antioxidative effect due to inhibition of the most cytotoxic reactive oxygen species, hydroxy radical (•OH). However, after chronic administration of H2in drinking water, oxidative-stress-induced nerve injury is significantly attenuated even in the absence of H2. It suggests indirect signaling of H2and gastrointestinal tract is involved. Indirect effects of H2could be tested by giving H2water only before nerve injury, as preconditioning. For example, preconditioning of H2for certain a period (∼7 days) in Parkinson’s disease model mice shows significant neuroprotection. As the mechanism of indirect effect, H2in drinking water induces ghrelin production and release from the stomach via β1-adrenergic receptor stimulation. Released ghrelin circulates in the body, being transported across the blood–brain barrier, activates its receptor, growth-hormone secretagogue receptor. H2-induced upregulation of ghrelin mRNA is also shown in ghrelin-producing cell line, SG-1. These observations help with understanding the chronic effects of H2and raise intriguing preventive and therapeutic options using H2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mami Noda
- Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yuya Uemura
- Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yusuke Yoshii
- Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Taichi Horita
- Area of Regulatory Biology, Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakuraku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| | - Shota Takemi
- Area of Regulatory Biology, Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakuraku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| | - Ichiro Sakata
- Area of Regulatory Biology, Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakuraku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| | - Takafumi Sakai
- Area of Regulatory Biology, Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakuraku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
- Area of Life-NanoBio, Division of Strategy Research, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Maffei P, Dassie F, Wennberg A, Parolin M, Vettor R. The Endothelium in Acromegaly. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:437. [PMID: 31396153 PMCID: PMC6667653 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Growth hormone (GH) and insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) excess induce well-known deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system, especially after long-term exposition. Acromegaly, a condition of chronic GH and IGF-1 hypersecretion, is frequently associated to cardiovascular complications, although recent studies have shown a reduction in the prevalence of these comorbidities in well-controlled patients and a mortality risk similar to normal aging population. Many factors could contribute to the increased cardiovascular risk of acromegaly patients. Among these factors, the endothelium plays a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic plaques and could be considered an early marker of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular dysfunction. In this review we examined the relationship between GH/IGF-1 excess and the endothelium, from basic studies to clinical evidence. Many studies involving various arterial districts (microvascular arteries of retina, kidney and brain, and major vessels as carotid and aorta) showed that GH/IGF-1 excess promotes endothelial dysfunction via several different mechanisms. Increased endothelial proliferation, dysfunction of endothelial progenitor cells, increased oxidative stress, and compromised oxidative defenses are the main factors that are associated with endothelial dysfunction. In the general population, these alterations are associated with the development of atherosclerosis with an increased incidence of coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular complications. However, in acromegaly this is still a debated issue, despite the presence of many pro-atherogenic factors and comorbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnoea, and metabolic syndrome. Preclinical markers of atherosclerosis as arterial intima media thickness, pulse wave velocity and flow mediated dilation seem to be impaired in acromegaly and partly mediated by the endothelium dysfunction. In conclusion, the pathophysiology of endothelial dysfunction in the condition of GH and IGF-1 excess remains a crucial area of investigation to fully dissect the association of acromegaly with cardiovascular disease complications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Maffei
- Clinica Medica 3, Department of Medicine (DIMED), Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
- *Correspondence: Pietro Maffei
| | - Francesca Dassie
- Clinica Medica 3, Department of Medicine (DIMED), Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Alexandra Wennberg
- Clinica Neurologica, Department of Neurosciences (DNS), Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Matteo Parolin
- Clinica Medica 3, Department of Medicine (DIMED), Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Roberto Vettor
- Clinica Medica 3, Department of Medicine (DIMED), Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| |
Collapse
|