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Cocea AC, Stoica CI. Interactions and Trends of Interleukins, PAI-1, CRP, and TNF-α in Inflammatory Responses during the Perioperative Period of Joint Arthroplasty: Implications for Pain Management-A Narrative Review. J Pers Med 2024; 14:537. [PMID: 38793119 PMCID: PMC11122505 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14050537] [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: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Inflammation during the perioperative period of joint arthroplasty is a critical aspect of patient outcomes, influencing both the pathophysiology of pain and the healing process. This narrative review comprehensively evaluates the roles of specific cytokines and inflammatory biomarkers in this context and their implications for pain management. Inflammatory responses are initiated and propagated by cytokines, which are pivotal in the development of both acute and chronic postoperative pain. Pro-inflammatory cytokines play essential roles in up-regulating the inflammatory response, which, if not adequately controlled, leads to sustained pain and impaired tissue healing. Anti-inflammatory cytokines work to dampen inflammatory responses and promote resolution. Our discussion extends to the genetic and molecular influences on cytokine production, which influence pain perception and recovery rates post-surgery. Furthermore, the role of PAI-1 in modulating inflammation through its impact on the fibrinolytic system highlights its potential as a therapeutic target. The perioperative modulation of these cytokines through various analgesic and anesthetic techniques, including the fascia iliac compartment block, demonstrates a significant reduction in pain and inflammatory markers, thus underscoring the importance of targeted therapeutic strategies. Our analysis suggests that a nuanced understanding of the interplay between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines is required. Future research should focus on individualized pain management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arabela-Codruta Cocea
- Faculty of Medicine, Doctoral School, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristian Ioan Stoica
- Orthopedics, Anaesthesia Intensive Care Unit, Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania;
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2
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Pereira TA, Espósito BP. Can iron chelators ameliorate viral infections? Biometals 2024; 37:289-304. [PMID: 38019378 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-023-00558-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
The redox reactivity of iron is a double-edged sword for cell functions, being either essential or harmful depending on metal concentration and location. Deregulation of iron homeostasis is associated with several clinical conditions, including viral infections. Clinical studies as well as in silico, in vitro and in vivo models show direct effects of several viruses on iron levels. There is support for the strategy of iron chelation as an alternative therapy to inhibit infection and/or viral replication, on the rationale that iron is required for the synthesis of some viral proteins and genes. In addition, abnormal iron levels can affect signaling immune response. However, other studies report different effects of viral infections on iron homeostasis, depending on the class and genotype of the virus, therefore making it difficult to predict whether iron chelation would have any benefit. This review brings general aspects of the relationship between iron homeostasis and the nonspecific immune response to viral infections, along with its relevance to the progress or inhibition of the inflammatory process, in order to elucidate situations in which the use of iron chelators could be efficient as antivirals.
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Birlutiu V, Neamtu B, Birlutiu RM. Identification of Factors Associated with Mortality in the Elderly Population with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Results from a Longitudinal Observational Study from Romania. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:202. [PMID: 38399417 PMCID: PMC10891894 DOI: 10.3390/ph17020202] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The progression of SARS-CoV-2 infection has been linked to a hospitalization rate of 20%. The susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2 infection increases with age, resulting in severe and atypical clinical forms of the disease. The severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the elderly population can be attributed to several factors, including the overexpression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors, immunosenescence, and alterations in the intestinal microbiota that facilitate the cytokine storm. In light of these observations, we conducted a retrospective analysis based on prospectively collected data between 23 December 2021 and 30 April 2022 (the fourth wave of SARS-CoV-2 infection). We analyzed patients aged over 60 years who were hospitalized in a county hospital in Romania. The primary objective of our study was to assess the risk factors for an unfavorable outcome, while the secondary objective was to assess the clinical and baseline characteristics of the enrolled patients. We included 287 cases with a complete electronic medical record from this available cohort of patients. We aimed to retrospectively evaluate a group of 127 patients that progressed, unfortunately, toward an unfavorable outcome versus 160 patients with a favorable outcome. We used the Combined Ordinal Scale of Severity that combines the WHO ordinal scale and the degrees of inflammation to assess the severity of the patients at the time of the initial assessment. The age group between 70 and 79 years had the highest percentage, accounting for 48.0%-61 patients, of the deceased patients. We noted statistically significant differences between groups related to other cardiovascular diseases, nutritional status, hematological diseases, other neurological/mental or digestive disorders, and other comorbidities. Regarding the nutritional status of the patients, there was a statistically significant unfavorable outcome for all the age groups and the patients with a BMI > 30 kg/m2, p = 0.004. The presence of these factors was associated with an unfavorable outcome. Our results indicate that with the presence of cough, there was a statistically significant favorable outcome in the age group over 80 years, p ≤ 0.049. In terms of the presence of dyspnea in all groups of patients, it was associated with an unfavorable outcome, p ≤ 0.001. In our study, we analyzed laboratory test results to assess the level of inflammation across various WHO categories, focusing on the outcome groups determined by the average values of specific biomarkers. Our findings show that, with the exception of IL-6, all other biomarkers tend to rise progressively with the severity of the disease. Moreover, these biomarkers are significantly higher in patients experiencing adverse outcomes. The differences among severity categories and the outcome group are highly significant (p-values < 0.001). CART algorithm revealed a specific cut-off point for the WHO ordinal scale of 4 to stand out as an important reference value for patients at a high risk of developing critical forms of COVID-19. The high death rate can be attributed to proinflammatory status, hormonal changes, nutritional and vitamin D deficiencies, comorbidities, and atypical clinical pictures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Birlutiu
- Faculty of Medicine, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Str. Lucian Blaga, Nr. 2A, 550169 Sibiu, Romania; (V.B.); (B.N.)
- County Clinical Emergency Hospital, Bvd. Corneliu Coposu, Nr. 2-4, 550245 Sibiu, Romania
| | - Bogdan Neamtu
- Faculty of Medicine, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Str. Lucian Blaga, Nr. 2A, 550169 Sibiu, Romania; (V.B.); (B.N.)
- Pediatric Research Department, Pediatric Clinical Hospital Sibiu, Str. Pompeiu Onofreiu, Nr. 2-4, 550166 Sibiu, Romania
| | - Rares-Mircea Birlutiu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Clinical Hospital of Orthopedics, Traumatology, and Osteoarticular TB Bucharest, B-dul Ferdinand 35-37, Sector 2, 021382 Bucharest, Romania
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4
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Hafizi M, Kalanaky S, Fakharzadeh S, Karimi P, Fakharian A, Lookzadeh S, Mortaz E, Mirenayat MS, Heshmatnia J, Karam MB, Zamani H, Nadji A, Toutkaboni MP, Oraee-Yazdani S, Akbari ME, Jamaati H, Nazaran MH. Beneficial effects of the combination of BCc1 and Hep-S nanochelating-based medicines on IL-6 in hospitalized moderate COVID-19 adult patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Trials 2023; 24:720. [PMID: 37951972 PMCID: PMC10638761 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07624-2] [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: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the severe forms of COVID-19 and many other infectious diseases, the patients develop a cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) where pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α play a key role in the development of this serious process. Selenium and iron are two important trace minerals, and their metabolism is tightly connected to immune system function. Numerous studies highlight the role of selenium and iron metabolism changes in the procedure of COVID-19 inflammation. The immunomodulator effect of nanomedicines that are synthesized based on nanochelating technology has been proved in previous studies. In the present study, the effects of the combination of BCc1(with iron-chelating property) and Hep-S (containing selenium) nanomedicines on mentioned cytokines levels in hospitalized moderate COVID-19 patients were evaluated. METHODS Laboratory-confirmed moderate COVID-19 patients were enrolled to participate in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in two separate groups: combination of BCc1 and Hep-S (N = 62) (treatment) or placebo (N = 60) (placebo). The blood samples were taken before medications on day zero, at discharge, and 28 days after consumption to measure hematological and biochemical parameters and cytokine levels. The clinical symptoms of all the patients were recorded according to an assessment questionnaire before the start of the treatment and on days 3 and discharge day. RESULTS The results revealed that consumption of the nanomedicines led to a significant decrease in the mean level of IL-6 cytokine, and at the end of the study, there was a 77% downward trend in IL-6 in the nanomedicine group, while an 18% increase in the placebo group (p < 0.05). In addition, the patients in the nanomedicines group had lower TNF-α levels; accordingly, there was a 21% decrease in TNF-α level in the treatment group, while a 31% increase in this cytokine level in the placebo was observed (p > 0.05). On the other hand, in nanomedicines treated groups, clinical scores of coughing, fatigue, and need for oxygen therapy improved. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the combination of BCc1 and Hep-S inhibits IL-6 as a highly important and well-known cytokine in COVID-19 pathophysiology and presents a promising view for immunomodulation that can manage CSS. TRIAL REGISTRATION Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials RCT20170731035423N2 . Registered on June 12, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Hafizi
- Department of Research and Development, Sodour Ahrar Shargh Company, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Kalanaky
- Department of Research and Development, Sodour Ahrar Shargh Company, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saideh Fakharzadeh
- Department of Research and Development, Sodour Ahrar Shargh Company, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pegah Karimi
- Department of Research and Development, Sodour Ahrar Shargh Company, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atefeh Fakharian
- Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Lookzadeh
- Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Esmaeil Mortaz
- Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Sadat Mirenayat
- Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center (CRDRC), National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jalal Heshmatnia
- Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Bakhshayesh Karam
- Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Homa Zamani
- Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Nadji
- Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mihan Pourabdollah Toutkaboni
- Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Oraee-Yazdani
- Functional Neurosurgery Research Center, Comprehensive Neurosurgical Center of Excellence, Shohada Tajrish, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Hamidreza Jamaati
- Clinical Tuberculosis and Epidemiology Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Lefebvre T, Boutten A, Raulet-Bussian C, Raynor A, Manceau H, Puy H, Moulouel B, Schmitt C, Timsit JF, Lefort A, Weiss E, Lescure FX, Ricard JD, Sonneville R, Peoc'h K. Evaluation of iron metabolism in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Clin Chim Acta 2023; 548:117509. [PMID: 37549821 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2023.117509] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Iron metabolism dysregulation may play a role in organ failure observed in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to explore the whole iron metabolism in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and evaluate the impact of tocilizumab. METHODS We performed an observational multicentric cohort study, including patients with PCR-provenCOVID-19 from the intensive care unit (ICU) (n = 66) and medical ward (n = 38). We measured serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), ferritin, glycosylated ferritin (GF), transferrin, iron, and hepcidin. The primary outcome was death. RESULTS Among the 104 patients, we observed decreased median GF percentage (35 %; IQ 23-51.5), low iron concentration (7.5 μmol/L; IQ 4-14), normal but low transferrin saturation (TSAT; 21%; IQ 11-33) and increased median hepcidin concentration (58.7 ng/mL; IQ 20.1-92.1). IL-6, ferritin, and GF were independently and significantly associated with death (p = 0.026, p = 0.023, and p = 0.009, respectively). Surprisingly, we observed a decorrelation between hepcidin and IL-6 concentrations in some patients. These findings were amplified in tocilizumab-treated patients. CONCLUSION Iron metabolism is profoundly modified in COVID-19. The pattern we observed presents differences with a typical inflammation profile. We observed uncoupled IL-6/hepcidin levels in some patients. The benefit of additive iron chelation therapy should be questionable in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibaud Lefebvre
- Centre Français des Porphyries, Hôpital Louis Mourier, DMU BIOGEM, APHP, Colombes, France; Université Paris Cité, Centre de Recherche sur l'Inflammation, INSERM, UMR1149, Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
| | - Anne Boutten
- Service de Biochimie, Hôpital Bichat, DMU BIOGEM, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | | | - Alexandre Raynor
- Service de Biochimie, Hôpital Bichat, DMU BIOGEM, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Hana Manceau
- Université Paris Cité, Centre de Recherche sur l'Inflammation, INSERM, UMR1149, Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France; Service de Biochimie, Hôpital Beaujon, DMU BIOGEM AP-HP, Clichy, France
| | - Hervé Puy
- Centre Français des Porphyries, Hôpital Louis Mourier, DMU BIOGEM, APHP, Colombes, France; Université Paris Cité, Centre de Recherche sur l'Inflammation, INSERM, UMR1149, Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France; Service de Biochimie, Hôpital Bichat, DMU BIOGEM, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Boualem Moulouel
- Centre Français des Porphyries, Hôpital Louis Mourier, DMU BIOGEM, APHP, Colombes, France
| | - Caroline Schmitt
- Centre Français des Porphyries, Hôpital Louis Mourier, DMU BIOGEM, APHP, Colombes, France; Université Paris Cité, Centre de Recherche sur l'Inflammation, INSERM, UMR1149, Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France
| | - Jean-François Timsit
- Université Paris Cité, Hôpital Bichat, Service de Médecine Intensive Réanimation, DMU INVICTUS, Paris, IAME, UMR1148, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Agnès Lefort
- Université Paris Cité, APHP, Service de médecine interne, DMU INVICTUS, Hopital Beaujon, IAME, INSERM UMR 1137, INSERM Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Weiss
- Université Paris Cité, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, DMU PARABOL, Service de Médecine Intensive Réanimation, Clichy, IAME, UMR1137, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Francois-Xavier Lescure
- Université Paris Cité, AP-HP, Hôpital Bichat, DMU INVICTUS, Service des Maladies Infectieuses, Paris, IAME, UMR1137, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Damien Ricard
- Université Paris Cité, AP-HP, Hôpital Louis Mourier, DMU ESPRIT, Service de Médecine Intensive Réanimation, Colombes, IAME, UMR1137, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Romain Sonneville
- Université Paris Cité, Hôpital Bichat, Service de Médecine Intensive Réanimation, DMU INVICTUS, Paris, IAME, UMR1148, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Katell Peoc'h
- Université Paris Cité, Centre de Recherche sur l'Inflammation, INSERM, UMR1149, Laboratoire d'Excellence GR-Ex, Paris, France; Service de Biochimie, Hôpital Bichat, DMU BIOGEM, AP-HP, Paris, France; Service de Biochimie, Hôpital Beaujon, DMU BIOGEM AP-HP, Clichy, France.
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6
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Engin AB, Engin ED, Engin A. Can iron, zinc, copper and selenium status be a prognostic determinant in COVID-19 patients? ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2022; 95:103937. [PMID: 35882309 PMCID: PMC9307469 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2022.103937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
In severe COVID-19, the levels of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se), do not only regulate host immune responses, but modify the viral genome, as well. While low serum Fe concentration is an independent risk factor for the increased death rate, Zn controls oxidative stress, synthesis of inflammatory cytokines and viral replication. Therefore, Zn deficiency associates with a worse prognosis. Although Cu exposure inactivates the viral genome and exhibits spike protein dispersal, increase in Cu/Zn due to high serum Cu levels, are correlated with enhanced risk of infections. Se levels are significantly higher in surviving COVID-19 patients. Meanwhile, both Zn and Se suppress the replication of SARS-CoV-2. Since the balance between the deficiency and oversupply of these metals due to a reciprocal relationship, has decisive effect on the prognosis of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, monitoring their concentrations may facilitate improved outcomes for patients suffering from COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Basak Engin
- Gazi University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Evren Doruk Engin
- Ankara University, Biotechnology Institute, Gumusdere Campus, Kecioren, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Atilla Engin
- Gazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, Ankara, Turkey
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7
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The potential role of ischaemia-reperfusion injury in chronic, relapsing diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Long COVID, and ME/CFS: evidence, mechanisms, and therapeutic implications. Biochem J 2022; 479:1653-1708. [PMID: 36043493 PMCID: PMC9484810 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20220154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ischaemia–reperfusion (I–R) injury, initiated via bursts of reactive oxygen species produced during the reoxygenation phase following hypoxia, is well known in a variety of acute circumstances. We argue here that I–R injury also underpins elements of the pathology of a variety of chronic, inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, ME/CFS and, our chief focus and most proximally, Long COVID. Ischaemia may be initiated via fibrin amyloid microclot blockage of capillaries, for instance as exercise is started; reperfusion is a necessary corollary when it finishes. We rehearse the mechanistic evidence for these occurrences here, in terms of their manifestation as oxidative stress, hyperinflammation, mast cell activation, the production of marker metabolites and related activities. Such microclot-based phenomena can explain both the breathlessness/fatigue and the post-exertional malaise that may be observed in these conditions, as well as many other observables. The recognition of these processes implies, mechanistically, that therapeutic benefit is potentially to be had from antioxidants, from anti-inflammatories, from iron chelators, and via suitable, safe fibrinolytics, and/or anti-clotting agents. We review the considerable existing evidence that is consistent with this, and with the biochemical mechanisms involved.
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8
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Birlutiu V, Dobritoiu ES, Lupu CD, Herteliu C, Birlutiu RM, Dragomirescu D, Vorovenci A. Our experience with 80 cases of SARS-CoV-2-Clostridioides difficile co-infection: An observational study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e29823. [PMID: 35801777 PMCID: PMC9258966 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000029823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Beside the changes in the gut microbiota in context of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the increased use of high-risk broad-spectrum antibiotics during the actual pandemic raises concerns about a possible increase of Clostridioides difficile infections (CDIs). We retrospectively analyzed 80 consecutive patients, with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and CDI. The mean length of hospitalization was 19.63 days. The mean time of the onset of the digestive symptoms related to CDI was 5.16 days. Patients with an onset of the digestive symptoms from hospital admission have a significantly lower median length in hospital stay. The recovered patients present a statistically significant decreased median age. coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cured patients present CDI symptoms much earlier than the deceased patients, when comparing the median days before the occurrence of any digestive symptoms regarding CDI. Among the patients that prior to their hospitalization for COVID-19 were exposed to antibiotics, 54.7% presented CDI digestive symptoms during their hospitalization and 65.6% had a severe or critical COVID-19 form. Although the incidence of CDI in the pandemic is lower compared to the period before the pandemic, the severity of cases and the death rate increased. In the actual setting clinicians need to be aware of possible CDI and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Birlutiu
- Faculty of Medicine Sibiu, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Academic Emergency Hospital Sibiu—Infectious Diseases Clinic, Sibiu, Romania. Sibiu, Romania
| | - Elena Simona Dobritoiu
- Faculty of Medicine Sibiu, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Academic Emergency Hospital Sibiu—Infectious Diseases Clinic, Sibiu, Romania. Sibiu, Romania
| | - Claudia Daniela Lupu
- Faculty of Medicine Sibiu, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Academic Emergency Hospital Sibiu—Infectious Diseases Clinic, Sibiu, Romania. Sibiu, Romania
| | - Claudiu Herteliu
- Bucharest University of Economic Studies, London Southbank University, Bucharest Romania, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Rares Mircea Birlutiu
- Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, FOISOR Clinical Hospital of Orthopedics, Traumatology, and Osteoarticular TB Bucharest, Sibiu, Romania
- * Correspondence: Rares-Mircea Birlutiu, MD, PhD, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, FOISOR Clinical Hospital of Orthopedics, Traumatology, and Osteoarticular TB Bucharest, Str. Lucian Blaga, Nr. 2A, Sibiu 550169, Romania (e-mail: )
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9
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Therapeutic potential of induced iron depletion using iron chelators in Covid-19. Saudi J Biol Sci 2022; 29:1947-1956. [PMID: 34924800 PMCID: PMC8666385 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.11.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferritin, which includes twenty-four light and heavy chains in varying proportions in different tissues, is primarily responsible for maintaining the body's iron metabolism. Its normal value is between 10 and 200 ngmL-1 in men and between 30 and 300 ngmL-1 in women. Iron is delivered to the tissue via them, and they act as immunomodulators, signaling molecules, and inflammatory markers. When ferritin level exceeds 1000 µgL-1, the patient is categorized as having hyperferritinemia. Iron chelators such as deferiprone, deferirox, and deferoxamine are currently FDA approved to treat iron overload. The inflammation cascade and poor prognosis of COVID-19 may be attributed to high ferritin levels. Critically ill patients can benefit from deferasirox, an iron chelator administered orally at 20-40 mgkg-1 once daily, as well as intravenous deferoxamine at 1000 mg initially followed by 500 mg every 4 to 12 h. It can be combined with monoclonal antibodies, antioxidants, corticosteroids, and lactoferrin to make iron chelation therapy effective for COVID-19 victims. In this article, we analyze the antiviral and antifibrotic activity of iron chelators, thereby promoting iron depletion therapy as a potentially innovative treatment strategy for COVID-19.
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10
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Gupta Y, Maciorowski D, Medernach B, Becker DP, Durvasula R, Libertin CR, Kempaiah P. Iron dysregulation in COVID-19 and reciprocal evolution of SARS-CoV-2: Natura nihil frustra facit. J Cell Biochem 2022; 123:601-619. [PMID: 34997606 PMCID: PMC9015563 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
After more than a year of the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 infection rates with newer variants continue to devastate much of the world. Global healthcare systems are overwhelmed with high positive patient numbers. Silent hypoxia accompanied by rapid deterioration and some cases with septic shock is responsible for COVID-19 mortality in many hospitalized patients. There is an urgent need to further understand the relationships and interplay with human host components during pathogenesis and immune evasion strategies. Currently, acquired immunity through vaccination or prior infection usually provides sufficient protection against the emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 except Omicron variant requiring recent booster. New strains have shown higher viral loads and greater transmissibility with more severe disease presentations. Notably, COVID-19 has a peculiar prognosis in severe patients with iron dysregulation and hypoxia which is still poorly understood. Studies have shown abnormally low serum iron levels in severe infection but a high iron overload in lung fibrotic tissue. Data from our in-silico structural analysis of the spike protein sequence along with host proteolysis processing suggests that the viral spike protein fragment mimics Hepcidin and is resistant to the major human proteases. This functional spike-derived peptide dubbed "Covidin" thus may be intricately involved with host ferroportin binding and internalization leading to dysregulated host iron metabolism. Here, we propose the possible role of this potentially allogenic mimetic hormone corresponding to severe COVID-19 immunopathology and illustrate that this molecular mimicry is responsible for a major pathway associated with severe disease status. Furthermore, through 3D molecular modeling and docking followed by MD simulation validation, we have unraveled the likely role of Covidin in iron dysregulation in COVID-19 patients. Our meta-analysis suggests the Hepcidin mimetic mechanism is highly conserved among its host range as well as among all new variants to date including Omicron. Extensive analysis of current mutations revealed that new variants are becoming alarmingly more resistant to selective human proteases associated with host defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yash Gupta
- Infectious DiseasesMayo ClinicJacksonvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Dawid Maciorowski
- School of Medicine and Public HealthUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Brian Medernach
- Department of MedicineLoyola University Medical CenterChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Daniel P. Becker
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryLoyola University ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
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