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Zhang J, Wen J, Dai Z, Zhang H, Zhang N, Lei R, Liu Z, Peng L, Cheng Q. Causal association and shared genetics between telomere length and COVID-19 outcomes: New evidence from the latest large-scale summary statistics. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:2429-2441. [PMID: 38882679 PMCID: PMC11176559 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Observational studies suggested that leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is shortened in COVID-19 patients. However, the genetic association and causality remained unknown. Methods Based on the genome-wide association of LTL (N = 472,174) and COVID-19 phenotypes (N = 1086,211-2597,856), LDSC and SUPERGNOVA were used to estimate the genetic correlation. Cross-trait GWAS meta-analysis, colocalization, fine-mapping analysis, and transcriptome-wide association study were conducted to explore the shared genetic etiology. Mendelian randomization (MR) was utilized to infer the causality. Upstream and downstream two-step MR was performed to investigate the potential mediating effects. Results LDSC identified a significant genetic association between LTL and all COVID-19 phenotypes (rG < 0, p < 0.05). Six significant regions were observed for LTL and COVID-19 susceptibility and hospitalization, respectively. Colocalization analysis found rs144204502, rs34517439, and rs56255908 were shared causal variants between LTL and COVID-19 phenotypes. Numerous biological pathways associated with LTL and COVID-19 outcomes were identified, mainly involved in -immune-related pathways. MR showed that longer LTL was significantly associated with a lower risk of COVID-19 severity (OR [95% CI] = 0.81 [0.71-0.92], p = 1.24 ×10-3) and suggestively associated with lower risks of COVID-19 susceptibility (OR [95% CI] = 0.96 [0.92-1.00], p = 3.44 ×10-2) and COVID-19 hospitalization (OR [95% CI] = 0.89 [0.80-0.98], p = 1.89 ×10-2). LTL partially mediated the effects of BMI, smoking, and education on COVID-19 outcomes. Furthermore, six proteins partially mediated the causality of LTL on COVID-19 outcomes, including BNDF, QPCT, FAS, MPO, SFTPB, and APOF. Conclusions Our findings suggested that shorter LTL was genetically associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 phenotypes, with shared genetic etiology and potential causality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hypothalamic Pituitary Research Centre, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jie Wen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hypothalamic Pituitary Research Centre, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ziyu Dai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hypothalamic Pituitary Research Centre, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ruoyan Lei
- Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhixiong Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hypothalamic Pituitary Research Centre, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Luo Peng
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hypothalamic Pituitary Research Centre, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Shafiee A, Seighali N, Teymouri Athar M, Abdollahi AK, Jafarabady K, Bakhtiyari M. Levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) among patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024; 274:1137-1152. [PMID: 37646849 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-023-01681-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] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Many individuals have been suffering from consistent neurological and neuropsychiatric manifestations even after the remission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a protein involved in the regulation of several processes, including neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, and neuronal differentiation, and has been linked to a range of neurological and psychiatric disorders. In this study, we aimed to synthesize the available evidence on the profile of BDNF in COVID-19. A comprehensive search was done in the Web of Science core collection, Scopus, and MEDLINE (PubMed), and Embase to identify relevant studies reporting the level of BDNF in patients with COVID-19 or those suffering from long COVID. We used the NEWCASTLE-OTTAWA tool for quality assessment. We pooled the effect sizes of individual studies using the random effect model for our meta-analysis. Fifteen articles were included in the systematic review. The sample sizes ranged from 16 to 183 participants. Six studies compared the level of BDNF in COVID-19 patients with healthy controls. The pooled estimate of the standardized mean difference in BDNF level between patients with COVID-19 and healthy individuals was - 0.84 (95% CI - 1.49 to - 0.18, p = 0.01, I2 = 81%) indicating a significantly lower BDNF level in patients with COVID-19. Seven studies assessed BDNF in different severity statuses of patients with COVID-19. The pooled estimate of the standardized mean difference in BDNF level was - 0.53 (95% CI - 0.85 to - 0.21, p = 0.001, I2 = 46%), indicating a significantly lower BDNF level in patients with more severe COVID-19. Three studies evaluated BDNF levels in COVID-19 patients through different follow-up periods. Only one study assessed the BDNF levels in long COVID patients. Sensitivity analyses did not alter the significance of the association. In this study, we showed a significant dysregulation of BDNF following COVID-19 infection. These findings may support the pathogenesis behind the long-lasting effects of this disease among infected patients. PROSPERO: CRD42023413536.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arman Shafiee
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Science, Karaj, Iran.
| | - Niloofar Seighali
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Science, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mohammad Teymouri Athar
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abolfazl King Abdollahi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Science, Karaj, Iran
| | - Kyana Jafarabady
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Science, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mahmood Bakhtiyari
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
- Department of Community Medicine and Epidemiology, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
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3
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Pavel V, Räth U, Schmid S, Krautbauer S, Keller D, Amend P, Müller M, Mester P, Buechler C. Serum Adiponectin Predicts COVID-19 Severity. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1043. [PMID: 38791005 PMCID: PMC11117573 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051043] [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: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Adiponectin is primarily known for its protective role in metabolic diseases, and it also possesses immunoregulatory properties. Elevated levels of adiponectin have been observed in various inflammatory diseases. However, studies investigating adiponectin levels in the serum of COVID-19 patients have yielded conflicting results. This study aimed to assess serum adiponectin levels in 26 healthy controls, as well as in 64 patients with moderate and 60 patients with severe COVID-19, to determine a potential association between serum adiponectin and the severity of COVID-19. Serum adiponectin levels in severe COVID-19 patients were significantly lower than in those with moderate disease and healthy controls, who exhibited similar serum adiponectin levels. Among patients with moderate disease, positive correlations were observed between serum adiponectin and C-reactive protein levels. Of note, serum adiponectin levels of severe COVID-19 cases were comparable between patients with and without dialysis or vasopressor therapy. Superinfection with bacteria did not exert a notable influence on serum adiponectin levels in patients with severe disease. Patients who were diagnosed with severe COVID-19 and vancomycin-resistant enterococci bacteremia showed a significant reduction in their serum adiponectin levels. An analysis conducted on the entire cohort, including both moderate and severe COVID-19 patients, showed that individuals who did not survive had lower serum adiponectin levels when compared to those who survived. In summary, this study highlights a decrease in serum adiponectin levels in severe COVID-19 cases, indicating the potential utility of adiponectin as an additional biomarker for monitoring disease severity in COVID-19 or critical illnesses in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vlad Pavel
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (V.P.); (U.R.); (S.S.); (D.K.); (P.A.); (M.M.); (P.M.)
| | - Ulrich Räth
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (V.P.); (U.R.); (S.S.); (D.K.); (P.A.); (M.M.); (P.M.)
| | - Stephan Schmid
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (V.P.); (U.R.); (S.S.); (D.K.); (P.A.); (M.M.); (P.M.)
| | - Sabrina Krautbauer
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Dennis Keller
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (V.P.); (U.R.); (S.S.); (D.K.); (P.A.); (M.M.); (P.M.)
| | - Pablo Amend
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (V.P.); (U.R.); (S.S.); (D.K.); (P.A.); (M.M.); (P.M.)
| | - Martina Müller
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (V.P.); (U.R.); (S.S.); (D.K.); (P.A.); (M.M.); (P.M.)
| | - Patricia Mester
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (V.P.); (U.R.); (S.S.); (D.K.); (P.A.); (M.M.); (P.M.)
| | - Christa Buechler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (V.P.); (U.R.); (S.S.); (D.K.); (P.A.); (M.M.); (P.M.)
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Pereto Silva L, Stocco RB, Curcio Pereira MR, Naomi Koga J, Pontarolo Gomes I, Carvalho JE, Muniz Beni G, Negreiros P, Baena CP, Lenci Marques G. Fever as a Predictor of COVID-19 Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients. Cureus 2024; 16:e54738. [PMID: 38524004 PMCID: PMC10960947 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous questions have arisen regarding the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of infected patients. Among these, screening infected patients through body temperature measurement has proven ineffective. However, doubts persist regarding the role of fever as a prognostic factor in the disease. OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of fever and its relevance as a marker of mortality in COVID-19. METHODOLOGY This prospective and longitudinal cohort study was conducted between April 2020 and December 2021 and analyzed 1400 COVID-19 patients systematically admitted to the emergency department of a reference hospital during the period from April 2020 to December 2021, in the city of Curitiba, Brazil. [LG1] The study evaluated [LG2] the presence of fever (body temperature above 37,7ºC) upon admission and/or during hospitalization, patient profiles, and outcomes (in-hospital death, discharge, admission at the intensive care unit, need of mechanical ventilation). RESULTS Fever was present in 128 participants (9.1%), with a higher prevalence in males (71%) and obese individuals (42.9%). Among the febrile patients, 39 required intubation (30.4%), with two intubated upon admission (1.5%), 104 were discharged (81.2%), and 24 deceased (18.7%). Fever was not associated with a higher mortality rate. CONCLUSION Fever showed low prevalence, is more common in males and obese individuals, and is not related to worse clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Pereto Silva
- School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, BRA
| | | | - Marcos Roberto Curcio Pereira
- School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, BRA
- Internal Medicine, Cajuru University Hospital, Curitiba, BRA
| | - Julia Naomi Koga
- School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, BRA
| | | | - João Eduardo Carvalho
- School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, BRA
| | - Giovana Muniz Beni
- School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, BRA
| | | | - Cristina P Baena
- Health Science Postgraduate Program, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, BRA
- Education, Research and Innovation Center, Hospital Marcelino Champagnat, Curitiba, BRA
| | - Gustavo Lenci Marques
- School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, BRA
- Internal Medicine Department, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, BRA
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Zaa CA, Espitia C, Reyes-Barrera KL, An Z, Velasco-Velázquez MA. Neuroprotective Agents with Therapeutic Potential for COVID-19. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1585. [PMID: 38002267 PMCID: PMC10669388 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 patients can exhibit a wide range of clinical manifestations affecting various organs and systems. Neurological symptoms have been reported in COVID-19 patients, both during the acute phase of the illness and in cases of long-term COVID. Moderate symptoms include ageusia, anosmia, altered mental status, and cognitive impairment, and in more severe cases can manifest as ischemic cerebrovascular disease and encephalitis. In this narrative review, we delve into the reported neurological symptoms associated with COVID-19, as well as the underlying mechanisms contributing to them. These mechanisms include direct damage to neurons, inflammation, oxidative stress, and protein misfolding. We further investigate the potential of small molecules from natural products to offer neuroprotection in models of neurodegenerative diseases. Through our analysis, we discovered that flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and other natural compounds exhibit neuroprotective effects by modulating signaling pathways known to be impacted by COVID-19. Some of these compounds also directly target SARS-CoV-2 viral replication. Therefore, molecules of natural origin show promise as potential agents to prevent or mitigate nervous system damage in COVID-19 patients. Further research and the evaluation of different stages of the disease are warranted to explore their potential benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- César A. Zaa
- School of Biological Sciences, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), Lima 15081, Peru;
| | - Clara Espitia
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (C.E.); (K.L.R.-B.)
| | - Karen L. Reyes-Barrera
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (C.E.); (K.L.R.-B.)
| | - Zhiqiang An
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Marco A. Velasco-Velázquez
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
- School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City 04510, Mexico
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Michalik K, Smolarek M, Borkowski J, Tchorowski M, Korczuk N, Gorczyca P, Wojtarowicz N, Zatoń M. Changes in Reaction Time, Balance and Neuroplasticity after Exercise with a Face Mask in Male Adults with Mild COVID-19 Symptoms. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2800. [PMID: 37893874 PMCID: PMC10606898 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11202800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This study compared physiological, perceptual and neuroprotective hormone and metabolite responses and changes in coordination as an effect of aerobic exercise with and without a face mask in people with mild symptoms of COVID-19. Forty men took part in this study. Half declared mild symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the 6 months before the study (Declared) and the other half did not (Non-declared). In a random order, with a 7-day interval, they performed a 30-min walk on a treadmill at a speed of 6 km/h wearing a surgical face mask (Masked) and without it (Unmasked). The heart rate, heart rate variability, oxygen saturation, lactate concentration and rate of perceived exertion were recorded. The reaction time and balance were measured before and after the exercise. The concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, testosterone, cortisol, epinephrine and antibodies in the blood serum were determined. Physiological and perceptual responses, reaction times, and balance did not differ between the tested conditions. Three-way RM-ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni analysis revealed lower post-exercise cortisol concentrations in the Masked and Unmasked conditions in both groups (p ≤ 0.001). Asymptomatic infection with this virus is prevalent, and mild COVID-19 causes similar responses to aerobic exercise with a surgical face mask and does not lead to impaired coordination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil Michalik
- Department of Human Motor Skills, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wrocław, Poland;
| | - Marcin Smolarek
- Department of Human Motor Skills, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wrocław, Poland;
| | - Jacek Borkowski
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wrocław, Poland; (J.B.); (M.Z.)
| | - Miłosz Tchorowski
- Students Scientific Association Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wrocław, Poland; (M.T.); (N.K.); (P.G.); (N.W.)
| | - Natalia Korczuk
- Students Scientific Association Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wrocław, Poland; (M.T.); (N.K.); (P.G.); (N.W.)
| | - Piotr Gorczyca
- Students Scientific Association Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wrocław, Poland; (M.T.); (N.K.); (P.G.); (N.W.)
| | - Natalia Wojtarowicz
- Students Scientific Association Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wrocław, Poland; (M.T.); (N.K.); (P.G.); (N.W.)
| | - Marek Zatoń
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wrocław, Poland; (J.B.); (M.Z.)
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Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C, Nijs J, Giordano R, Arendt-Nielsen L. Precision management of post-COVID pain: An evidence and clinical-based approach. Eur J Pain 2023; 27:1107-1125. [PMID: 36852606 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.2095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Background Pain after a SARS-CoV-2 acute infection (post-COVID pain) is becoming a new healthcare emergency but remains underestimated and most likely undertreated due to a lack of recognition of the phenomenon and knowledge of the underlying pain mechanisms. Evidence supporting any particular treatment approach for the management of post-COVID pain is lacking. Large variability in the patient response to any standard pain treatments is clinically observed, which has led to calls for a personalized, tailored approach to treating patients with chronic post-COVID pain (i.e. 'precision pain medicine'). Applying the global concerted action towards precision medicine to post-COVID pain could help guide clinical decision-making and aid in more effective treatments. Methods The current position paper discusses factors to be considered by clinicians for managing post-COVID pain ranging from identification of the pain phenotype to genetic consideration. Results The ability of clinicians to phenotype post-COVID pain into nociceptive, neuropathic, nociplastic or mixed type is suggested as the first step to better planification of a treatment programme. Further, the consideration of other factors, such as gender, comorbidities, treatments received at the acute phase of infection for onset-associated COVID-19 symptoms, factors during hospitalization or the presence of emotional disturbances should be implemented into a treatment programme. Conclusions Accordingly, considering these factors, management of post-COVID pain should include multimodal pharmacological and non-pharmacological modalities targeting emotional/cognitive aspects (i.e. psychological and/or coping strategies), central sensitization-associated mechanisms (i.e. pain neuroscience education), exercise programmes as well as lifestyle interventions (e.g. nutritional support and sleep management). SIGNIFICANCE: This position paper presents an evidence-based clinical reasoning approach for precision management of post-COVID pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- César Fernández-de-Las-Peñas
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), Madrid, Spain
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jo Nijs
- Pain in Motion Research Group (PAIN), Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Physical Education & Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Chronic pain rehabilitation, Department of Physical Medicine and Physiotherapy, University Hospital Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Unit of Physiotherapy, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Brussels, Sweden
| | - Rocco Giordano
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Lars Arendt-Nielsen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Mech-Sense, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
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Rojas-Cruz AF, Bermúdez-Santana CI. Computational Prediction of RNA-RNA Interactions between Small RNA Tracks from Betacoronavirus Nonstructural Protein 3 and Neurotrophin Genes during Infection of an Epithelial Lung Cancer Cell Line: Potential Role of Novel Small Regulatory RNA. Viruses 2023; 15:1647. [PMID: 37631989 PMCID: PMC10458423 DOI: 10.3390/v15081647] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Whether RNA-RNA interactions of cytoplasmic RNA viruses, such as Betacoronavirus, might end in the biogenesis of putative virus-derived small RNAs as miRNA-like molecules has been controversial. Even more, whether RNA-RNA interactions of wild animal viruses may act as virus-derived small RNAs is unknown. Here, we address these issues in four ways. First, we use conserved RNA structures undergoing negative selection in the genomes of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 circulating in different bat species, intermediate animals, and human hosts. Second, a systematic literature review was conducted to identify Betacoronavirus-targeting hsa-miRNAs involved in lung cell infection. Third, we employed sophisticated long-range RNA-RNA interactions to refine the seed sequence homology of hsa-miRNAs with conserved RNA structures. Fourth, we used high-throughput RNA sequencing of a Betacoronavirus-infected epithelial lung cancer cell line (Calu-3) to validate the results. We proposed nine potential virus-derived small RNAs: two vsRNAs in SARS-CoV (Bats: SB-vsRNA-ORF1a-3p; SB-vsRNA-S-5p), one vsRNA in MERS-CoV (Bats: MB-vsRNA-ORF1b-3p), and six vsRNAs in SARS-CoV-2 (Bats: S2B-vsRNA-ORF1a-5p; intermediate animals: S2I-vsRNA-ORF1a-5p; and humans: S2H-vsRNA-ORF1a-5p, S2H-vsRNA-ORF1a-3p, S2H-vsRNA-ORF1b-3p, S2H-vsRNA-ORF3a-3p), mainly encoded by nonstructural protein 3. Notably, Betacoronavirus-derived small RNAs targeted 74 differentially expressed genes in infected human cells, of which 55 upregulate the molecular mechanisms underlying acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and the 19 downregulated genes might be implicated in neurotrophin signaling impairment. These results reveal a novel small RNA-based regulatory mechanism involved in neuropathogenesis that must be further studied to validate its therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Felipe Rojas-Cruz
- Theoretical and Computational RNomics Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia;
- Center of Excellence in Scientific Computing, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
| | - Clara Isabel Bermúdez-Santana
- Theoretical and Computational RNomics Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia;
- Center of Excellence in Scientific Computing, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
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9
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Barbalho SM, Minniti G, Miola VFB, Haber JFDS, Bueno PCDS, de Argollo Haber LS, Girio RSJ, Detregiachi CRP, Dall'Antonia CT, Rodrigues VD, Nicolau CCT, Catharin VMCS, Araújo AC, Laurindo LF. Organokines in COVID-19: A Systematic Review. Cells 2023; 12:1349. [PMID: 37408184 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101349] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 that induces a generalized inflammatory state. Organokines (adipokines, osteokines, myokines, hepatokines, and cardiokines) can produce beneficial or harmful effects in this condition. This study aimed to systematically review the role of organokines on COVID-19. PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases were searched, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed, and 37 studies were selected, comprising more than 2700 individuals infected with the virus. Among COVID-19 patients, organokines have been associated with endothelial dysfunction and multiple organ failure due to augmented cytokines and increased SARS-CoV-2 viremia. Changes in the pattern of organokines secretion can directly or indirectly contribute to aggravating the infection, promoting immune response alterations, and predicting the disease progression. These molecules have the potential to be used as adjuvant biomarkers to predict the severity of the illness and severe outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Maria Barbalho
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Structural and Functional Interactions in Rehabilitation, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, School of Food and Technology of Marília (FATEC), Avenida Castro Alves, 62, Marília 17500-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Giulia Minniti
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Vitor Fernando Bordin Miola
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Jesselina Francisco Dos Santos Haber
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
- Centro Interdisciplinar em Diabetes (CENID), School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Cincotto Dos Santos Bueno
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
- Department of Animal Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiza Santos de Argollo Haber
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Raul S J Girio
- Department of Animal Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Rucco Penteado Detregiachi
- Postgraduate Program in Structural and Functional Interactions in Rehabilitation, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculdade de Medicina de Marília (FAMEMA), School of Medicine, Avenida Monte Carmelo, 800, Marília 17519-030, SP, Brazil
| | - Camila Tiveron Dall'Antonia
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Victória Dogani Rodrigues
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculdade de Medicina de Marília (FAMEMA), School of Medicine, Avenida Monte Carmelo, 800, Marília 17519-030, SP, Brazil
| | - Claudia C T Nicolau
- Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, School of Food and Technology of Marília (FATEC), Avenida Castro Alves, 62, Marília 17500-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Virginia Maria Cavallari Strozze Catharin
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Structural and Functional Interactions in Rehabilitation, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriano Cressoni Araújo
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Structural and Functional Interactions in Rehabilitation, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
| | - Lucas Fornari Laurindo
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Marília (UNIMAR), Avenida Hygino Muzzy Filho, 1001, Marília 17525-902, SP, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculdade de Medicina de Marília (FAMEMA), School of Medicine, Avenida Monte Carmelo, 800, Marília 17519-030, SP, Brazil
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10
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Grewal T, Buechler C. Adipokines as Diagnostic and Prognostic Markers for the Severity of COVID-19. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051302. [PMID: 37238973 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence implicates obesity as a risk factor for increased severity of disease outcomes in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Obesity is associated with adipose tissue dysfunction, which not only predisposes individuals to metabolic complications, but also substantially contributes to low-grade systemic inflammation, altered immune cell composition, and compromised immune function. This seems to impact the susceptibility and outcome of diseases caused by viruses, as obese people appear more vulnerable to developing infections and they recover later from infectious diseases than normal-weight individuals. Based on these findings, increased efforts to identify suitable diagnostic and prognostic markers in obese Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients to predict disease outcomes have been made. This includes the analysis of cytokines secreted from adipose tissues (adipokines), which have multiple regulatory functions in the body; for instance, modulating insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, lipid metabolism, appetite, and fertility. Most relevant in the context of viral infections, adipokines also influence the immune cell number, with consequences for overall immune cell activity and function. Hence, the analysis of the circulating levels of diverse adipokines in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 have been considered to reveal diagnostic and prognostic COVID-19 markers. This review article summarizes the findings aimed to correlate the circulating levels of adipokines with progression and disease outcomes of COVID-19. Several studies provided insights on chemerin, adiponectin, leptin, resistin, and galectin-3 levels in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients, while limited information is yet available on the adipokines apelin and visfatin in COVID-19. Altogether, current evidence points at circulating galectin-3 and resistin levels being of diagnostic and prognostic value in COVID-19 disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Grewal
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Christa Buechler
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Regensburg University Hospital, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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11
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Petrella C, Zingaropoli MA, Ceci FM, Pasculli P, Latronico T, Liuzzi GM, Ciardi MR, Angeloni A, Ettorre E, Menghi M, Barbato C, Ferraguti G, Minni A, Fiore M. COVID-19 Affects Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Neurofilament Light Chain in Aged Men: Implications for Morbidity and Mortality. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040655. [PMID: 36831321 PMCID: PMC9954454 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND METHODS Severe COVID-19 is known to induce neurological damage (NeuroCOVID), mostly in aged individuals, by affecting brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 2 and 9 and the neurofilament light chain (NFL) pathways. Thus, the aim of this pilot study was to investigate BDNF, MMP-2, MMP-9, and NFL in the serum of aged men affected by COVID-19 at the beginning of the hospitalization period and characterized by different outcomes, i.e., attending a hospital ward or an intensive care unit (ICU) or with a fatal outcome. As a control group, we used a novelty of the study, unexposed age-matched men. We also correlated these findings with the routine blood parameters of the recruited individuals. RESULTS We found in COVID-19 individuals with severe or lethal outcomes disrupted serum BDNF, NFL, and MMP-2 presence and gross changes in ALT, GGT, LDH, IL-6, ferritin, and CRP. We also confirmed and extended previous data, using ROC analyses, showing that the ratio MMPs (2 and 9) versus BDNF and NFL might be a useful tool to predict a fatal COVID-19 outcome. CONCLUSIONS Serum BDNF and NFL and/or their ratios with MMP-2 and MMP-9 could represent early predictors of NeuroCOVID in aged men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Petrella
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (C.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Maria Antonella Zingaropoli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Flavio Maria Ceci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Pasculli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Latronico
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Grazia Maria Liuzzi
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Rosa Ciardi
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Angeloni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Evaristo Ettorre
- Department of Clinical, Internal Medicine, Anesthesiologic and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Menghi
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Christian Barbato
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giampiero Ferraguti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Minni
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, ASL Rieti-Sapienza University, Ospedale San Camillo de Lellis, Viale Kennedy, 02100 Rieti, Italy
| | - Marco Fiore
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (C.P.); (M.F.)
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12
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Golzari-Sorkheh M, Weaver DF, Reed MA. COVID-19 as a Risk Factor for Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 91:1-23. [PMID: 36314211 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Although a primarily respiratory disease, recent reports indicate that it also affects the central nervous system (CNS). Over 25% of COVID-19 patients report neurological symptoms such as memory loss, anosmia, hyposmia, confusion, and headaches. The neurological outcomes may be a result of viral entry into the CNS and/or resulting neuroinflammation, both of which underlie an elevated risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Herein, we ask: Is COVID-19 a risk factor for AD? To answer, we identify the literature and review mechanisms by which COVID-19-mediated neuroinflammation can contribute to the development of AD, evaluate the effects of acute versus chronic phases of infection, and lastly, discuss potential therapeutics to address the rising rates of COVID-19 neurological sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Donald F Weaver
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mark A Reed
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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13
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Hindsberger B, Lindegaard B, Rabøl Andersen L, Bastrup Israelsen S, Pedersen L, Bela Szecsi P, Benfield T. Circulating Adiponectin Levels Are Inversely Associated with Mortality and Respiratory Failure in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19. Int J Endocrinol 2023; 2023:4427873. [PMID: 36960389 PMCID: PMC10030212 DOI: 10.1155/2023/4427873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic low-grade inflammation associated with a dysregulated adipose tissue might contribute to amplifying the inflammatory response in severe COVID-19. The aim of this study was to examine the association between levels of circulating leptin and adiponectin and the severity and mortality of COVID-19. METHODS Serum levels of leptin and adiponectin were determined at admission in 123 individuals with confirmed COVID-19 and their association with 90-day mortality and respiratory failure was analyzed by logistic regression analysis and expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS The median values of circulating leptin and adiponectin were 7.2 ng/mL (IQR 3.8-13.4) and 9.0 μg/mL (IQR 5.7-14.6), respectively. After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and oxygen saturation at admission, a doubling of circulating adiponectin was associated with a 38% reduction in odds of 90-day mortality (OR 0.62, CI 0.43-0.89) and a 40% reduction in odds of respiratory failure (OR 0.60, CI 0.42-0.86). The association tended to be strongest in individuals below the median age of 72 years. Circulating leptin was not associated with outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Circulating adiponectin at admission was inversely associated with mortality and respiratory failure in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further studies are needed to elucidate how exactly adipokines, especially adiponectin, are linked to the progression and prognosis of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Hindsberger
- Center of Clinical Research and Disruption of Infectious Diseases (CREDID), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital-Amager and Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Lindegaard
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital–North Zealand, 3400 Hilleroed, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Liv Rabøl Andersen
- Center of Clinical Research and Disruption of Infectious Diseases (CREDID), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital-Amager and Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Simone Bastrup Israelsen
- Center of Clinical Research and Disruption of Infectious Diseases (CREDID), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital-Amager and Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Lise Pedersen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Holbaek Hospital, 4300 Holbaek, Denmark
| | - Pal Bela Szecsi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Holbaek Hospital, 4300 Holbaek, Denmark
| | - Thomas Benfield
- Center of Clinical Research and Disruption of Infectious Diseases (CREDID), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital-Amager and Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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14
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Biamonte F, Re A, Balzamino BO, Ciasca G, Santucci D, Napodano C, Nocca G, Fiorita A, Marino M, Basile U, Micera A, Callà CAM. Circulating and Salivary NGF and BDNF Levels in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Potential Predictor Biomarkers of COVID-19 Disease-Preliminary Data. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12111877. [PMID: 36579579 PMCID: PMC9697501 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12111877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 continues to afflict the global population, causing several pathological diseases and exacerbating co-morbidities due to SARS-CoV-2's high mutation. Recent interest has been devoted to some neuronal manifestations and to increased levels of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in the bloodstream during SARS-CoV-2 infection, neurotrophins that are well-known for their multifactorial actions on neuro-immune-endocrine and visual functions. Nineteen (19) patients were enrolled in this monocentric prospective study and subjected to anamnesis and biosamples collection (saliva and blood) at hospitalization (acute phase) and 6 months later (remission phase). NGF and BDNF were quantified by ELISA, and biochemical data were related to biostrumental measurements. Increased NGF and BDNF levels were quantified in saliva and serum during the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection (hospitalized patients), and reduced levels were observed in the next 6 months (remission phase), never matching the baseline values. Salivary and circulating data would suggest the possibility of considering sera and saliva as useful matrices for quickly screening neurotrophins, in addition to SARS-CoV2 antigens and RNA. Overall, the findings described herein highlight the importance of NGF and BDNF as dynamic biomarkers for monitoring disease and reinforces the possibility of using saliva and sera for quick, non-invasive COVID-19 screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Biamonte
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Laboratoristiche ed Infettivologiche, UOC Chimica, Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Laboratorio Patologia Clinica, Associazione dei Cavalieri Italiani del Sovrano Militare Ordine di Malta ACISMOM San Giovanni Battista, 00148 Rome, Italy
| | - Agnese Re
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Laboratoristiche ed Infettivologiche, UOC Chimica, Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Bijorn Omar Balzamino
- Research and Development Laboratory for Biochemical, Molecular and Cellular Applications in Ophthalmological Sciences, Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS-Fondazione Bietti, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ciasca
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Santucci
- Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Cecilia Napodano
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Laboratoristiche ed Infettivologiche, UOC Chimica, Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Nocca
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Fiorita
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell’Invecchiamento, Neurologiche, Ortopediche e della Testa e del Collo, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Mariapaola Marino
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Umberto Basile
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Laboratoristiche ed Infettivologiche, UOC Chimica, Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (U.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Alessandra Micera
- Research and Development Laboratory for Biochemical, Molecular and Cellular Applications in Ophthalmological Sciences, Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS-Fondazione Bietti, 00184 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (U.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Cinzia Anna Maria Callà
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Laboratoristiche ed Infettivologiche, UOC Chimica, Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare Clinica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli”, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
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15
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Is SARS-CoV-2 a Risk Factor of Bipolar Disorder?-A Narrative Review. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11206060. [PMID: 36294388 PMCID: PMC9604904 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11206060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
For 2.5 years we have been facing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its health, social and economic effects. One of its known consequences is the development of neuropsychiatric diseases such as anxiety and depression. However, reports of manic episodes related to COVID-19 have emerged. Mania is an integral part of the debilitating illness-bipolar disorder (BD). Due to its devastating effects, it is therefore important to establish whether SARS-CoV-2 infection is a causative agent of this severe mental disorder. In this narrative review, we discuss the similarities between the disorders caused by SARS-CoV-2 and those found in patients with BD, and we also try to answer the question of whether SARS-CoV-2 infection may be a risk factor for the development of this affective disorder. Our observation shows that disorders in COVID-19 showing the greatest similarity to those in BD are cytokine disorders, tryptophan metabolism, sleep disorders and structural changes in the central nervous system (CNS). These changes, especially intensified in severe infections, may be a trigger for the development of BD in particularly vulnerable people, e.g., with family history, or cause an acute episode in patients with a pre-existing BD.
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16
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Teo WP, Goodwill AM. Can exercise attenuate the negative effects of long COVID syndrome on brain health? Front Immunol 2022; 13:986950. [PMID: 36189287 PMCID: PMC9523009 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.986950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The impetus for many governments globally to treat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as an endemic warrant more research into the prevention, and management of long COVID syndrome (LCS). Whilst the data on LCS remains scarce, reports suggest a large proportion of recovered individuals will experience ongoing neuropsychological symptoms, even with mild disease severity. The pathophysiology underlying LCS is multifaceted. Evidence suggests that altered inflammatory, neurotrophic, and neurotransmitter pathways within the brain contribute to neuropsychological symptoms reported following COVID-19. Exercise or regular physical activity has long been shown to have positive effects on brain health and cognition through exerting positive effects on inflammatory markers, neurotransmitters, and neurotropic factors analogous to the neurophysiological pathways proposed to be disrupted by COVID-19 infection. Thus, exercise may serve as an important lifestyle behavior in the management of LCS. In this opinion article, we present the evidence to support the positive role of exercise in the management of cognitive symptom that manifest with LCS and discuss important considerations and interactions with cardiorespiratory and exercise tolerance complications that often present for individuals experiencing LCS. We highlight the need for more research and training of sports medicine practitioners and clinical exercise physiologists in the management of LCS with exercise and call for further research to understand the optimal dose-responses and exercise prescription guidelines for cognitive benefits and minimizing other complications.
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17
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Fernández-de-las-Peñas C, Giordano R, Díaz-Gil G, Gil-Crujera A, Gómez-Sánchez SM, Ambite-Quesada S, Arendt-Nielsen L. Are Pain Polymorphisms Associated with the Risk and Phenotype of Post-COVID Pain in Previously Hospitalized COVID-19 Survivors? Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13081336. [PMID: 35893072 PMCID: PMC9394327 DOI: 10.3390/genes13081336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the association of different, selected pain polymorphisms with the presence of de novo long-COVID pain symptoms and to analyze the association between these polymorphisms with clinical, sensory-related, cognitive and psychological variables in COVID-19 survivors. Methods: Two hundred and ninety-three (n = 293, 49.5% female, mean age: 55.6 ± 12.9 years) previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors participated. Three genotypes of the following single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were obtained from non-stimulated saliva: OPRM1 (rs1799971), COMT (rs4680), BDNF (rs6265), and HTR1B (rs6296) by polymerase chain reactions in all participants. Further, clinical (intensity/duration of pain), sensory-related (sensitization-associated symptoms, neuropathic pain features), psychological (anxiety or depressive levels, sleep quality), and cognitive (catastrophizing, kinesiophobia) variables were collected in those COVID-19 survivors suffering from post-COVID pain. Analyses were carried out to associate clinical features with genotype. Results: Participants were assessed 17.8 ± 5.2 months after hospitalization. One hundred and seventeen (39.9%) experienced post-COVID pain (particularly of musculoskeletal origin). The distributions of the genotype variants of any SNP were not significantly different between COVID-19 survivors with and without long-term post-COVID pain (all, p > 0.178). No differences in sensitization-associated symptoms, neuropathic pain features, catastrophizing, kinesiophobia levels, anxiety and depressive levels or sleep quality according to the genotype variant in any SNPs were found. No effect of gender was identified. Conclusion: The four SNPs generally associated with pain did not appear to predispose to the development of de novo long-COVID pain symptoms in previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors. The SNPs were not involved in the phenotypic features of post-COVID pain either.
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Affiliation(s)
- César Fernández-de-las-Peñas
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain;
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark; (R.G.); (L.A.-N.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Rocco Giordano
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark; (R.G.); (L.A.-N.)
| | - Gema Díaz-Gil
- Research Group GAMDES, Department of Basic Health Sciences, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28922 Madrid, Spain; (G.D.-G.); (A.G.-C.); (S.M.G.-S.)
| | - Antonio Gil-Crujera
- Research Group GAMDES, Department of Basic Health Sciences, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28922 Madrid, Spain; (G.D.-G.); (A.G.-C.); (S.M.G.-S.)
| | - Stella M. Gómez-Sánchez
- Research Group GAMDES, Department of Basic Health Sciences, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28922 Madrid, Spain; (G.D.-G.); (A.G.-C.); (S.M.G.-S.)
| | - Silvia Ambite-Quesada
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain;
| | - Lars Arendt-Nielsen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark; (R.G.); (L.A.-N.)
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Mech-Sense, Aalborg University Hospital, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark
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Amadio P, Macchi C, Favero C, Zarà M, Solazzo G, Dioni L, Sandrini L, Vigna L, Greco MF, Buoli M, Sirtori CR, Pesatori AC, Ieraci A, Ruscica M, Barbieri SS, Bollati V. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Extracellular Vesicle-Derived miRNAs in an Italian Cohort of Individuals With Obesity: A Key to Explain the Link Between Depression and Atherothrombosis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:906483. [PMID: 35911513 PMCID: PMC9326054 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.906483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundObesity and depression are intertwined diseases often associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) complications. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), altered in the brain both of subjects with depression and obesity, provides a potential link between depression and thrombosis. Since the relationship among peripheral BDNF, depression and obesity is not well-defined, the aim of the present report has been to address this issue taking advantage of the contribution played by extracellular vesicle (EV)-derived miRNAs.Research ProcessAssociations among circulating BDNF, depression and EV-derived miRNAs related to atherothrombosis have been evaluated in a large Italian cohort of obese individuals (n = 743), characterized by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) score.ResultsBDI-II was negatively associated with BDNF levels without a significant impact of the rs6265 BDNF polymorphism; this association was modified by raised levels of IFN-γ. BDNF levels were linked to an increase of 80 EV-derived miRNAs and a decrease of 59 miRNAs related to atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Network analysis identified at least 18 genes targeted by these miRNAs, 7 of which involved in depression and CV risk. The observation of a possible link among BDNF, depression, and miRNAs related to atherothrombosis and depression in obesity is novel and may lead to a wider use of BDNF as a CV risk biomarker in this specific subject group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Amadio
- Brain-Heart Axis: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Unit, Centro Cardiologico Monzino Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Macchi
- Department of Biomolecular and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Favero
- EPIGET LAB, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Zarà
- Brain-Heart Axis: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Unit, Centro Cardiologico Monzino Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Solazzo
- EPIGET LAB, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Dioni
- EPIGET LAB, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Leonardo Sandrini
- Brain-Heart Axis: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Unit, Centro Cardiologico Monzino Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
| | - Luisella Vigna
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Francesca Greco
- Department of Biomolecular and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Buoli
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca'Granda Ospedale, Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Cesare R. Sirtori
- Department of Biomolecular and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Angela Cecilia Pesatori
- EPIGET LAB, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ieraci
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Ruscica
- Department of Biomolecular and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Massimiliano Ruscica
| | - Silvia Stella Barbieri
- Brain-Heart Axis: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Unit, Centro Cardiologico Monzino Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Milan, Italy
- Silvia Stella Barbieri
| | - Valentina Bollati
- EPIGET LAB, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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19
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Wu Y, Rakotoarisoa M, Angelov B, Deng Y, Angelova A. Self-Assembled Nanoscale Materials for Neuronal Regeneration: A Focus on BDNF Protein and Nucleic Acid Biotherapeutic Delivery. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12132267. [PMID: 35808102 PMCID: PMC9268293 DOI: 10.3390/nano12132267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Enabling challenging applications of nanomedicine and precision medicine in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders requires deeper investigations of nanocarrier-mediated biomolecular delivery for neuronal targeting and recovery. The successful use of macromolecular biotherapeutics (recombinant growth factors, antibodies, enzymes, synthetic peptides, cell-penetrating peptide–drug conjugates, and RNAi sequences) in clinical developments for neuronal regeneration should benefit from the recent strategies for enhancement of their bioavailability. We highlight the advances in the development of nanoscale materials for drug delivery in neurodegenerative disorders. The emphasis is placed on nanoformulations for the delivery of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) using different types of lipidic nanocarriers (liposomes, liquid crystalline or solid lipid nanoparticles) and polymer-based scaffolds, nanofibers and hydrogels. Self-assembled soft-matter nanoscale materials show favorable neuroprotective characteristics, safety, and efficacy profiles in drug delivery to the central and peripheral nervous systems. The advances summarized here indicate that neuroprotective biomolecule-loaded nanoparticles and injectable hydrogels can improve neuronal survival and reduce tissue injury. Certain recently reported neuronal dysfunctions in long-COVID-19 survivors represent early manifestations of neurodegenerative pathologies. Therefore, BDNF delivery systems may also help in prospective studies on recovery from long-term COVID-19 neurological complications and be considered as promising systems for personalized treatment of neuronal dysfunctions and prevention or retarding of neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wu
- CNRS, Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, F-92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France; (Y.W.); (M.R.)
| | - Miora Rakotoarisoa
- CNRS, Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, F-92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France; (Y.W.); (M.R.)
| | - Borislav Angelov
- Institute of Physics, ELI Beamlines, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Na Slovance 2, CZ-18221 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Yuru Deng
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 1, Jinlian Road, Longwan District, Wenzhou 325001, China;
| | - Angelina Angelova
- CNRS, Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, F-92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France; (Y.W.); (M.R.)
- Correspondence:
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20
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Gene Networks of Hyperglycemia, Diabetic Complications, and Human Proteins Targeted by SARS-CoV-2: What Is the Molecular Basis for Comorbidity? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137247. [PMID: 35806251 PMCID: PMC9266766 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
People with diabetes are more likely to have severe COVID-19 compared to the general population. Moreover, diabetes and COVID-19 demonstrate a certain parallelism in the mechanisms and organ damage. In this work, we applied bioinformatics analysis of associative molecular networks to identify key molecules and pathophysiological processes that determine SARS-CoV-2-induced disorders in patients with diabetes. Using text-mining-based approaches and ANDSystem as a bioinformatics tool, we reconstructed and matched networks related to hyperglycemia, diabetic complications, insulin resistance, and beta cell dysfunction with networks of SARS-CoV-2-targeted proteins. The latter included SARS-CoV-2 entry receptors (ACE2 and DPP4), SARS-CoV-2 entry associated proteases (TMPRSS2, CTSB, and CTSL), and 332 human intracellular proteins interacting with SARS-CoV-2. A number of genes/proteins targeted by SARS-CoV-2 (ACE2, BRD2, COMT, CTSB, CTSL, DNMT1, DPP4, ERP44, F2RL1, GDF15, GPX1, HDAC2, HMOX1, HYOU1, IDE, LOX, NUTF2, PCNT, PLAT, RAB10, RHOA, SCARB1, and SELENOS) were found in the networks of vascular diabetic complications and insulin resistance. According to the Gene Ontology enrichment analysis, the defined molecules are involved in the response to hypoxia, reactive oxygen species metabolism, immune and inflammatory response, regulation of angiogenesis, platelet degranulation, and other processes. The results expand the understanding of the molecular basis of diabetes and COVID-19 comorbidity.
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21
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Asgarzadeh A, Fouladi N, Asghariazar V, Sarabi SF, Khiavi HA, Mahmoudi M, Safarzadeh E. Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in COVID-19 Patients and its Association with the COVID-19 Manifestations. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:1820-1830. [PMID: 35749045 PMCID: PMC9243868 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02039-1] [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: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 is a systematic disease that frequently implies neurological and non-neurological manifestations, predominantly by inducing hypoxia. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a key factor in regulating functions of nervous and respiratory systems and has been strongly related to hypoxia. Therefore, this study planned to investigate BDNF association with the COVID-19 manifestations especially neurological impairments and the infection-induced hypoxia. We enrolled sixty-four COVID-19 patients and twenty-four healthy individuals in this study. Patients were divided into two groups, with and without neurological manifestations, and their serum BDNF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). COVID-19 patients had significantly lower BDNF levels than healthy individuals (p = 0.023). BDNF levels were significantly lower in patients with neurological manifestations compared to healthy individuals (p = 0.010). However, we did not observe a statistically significant difference in BDNF levels between patients with and without neurological manifestations (p = 0.175). BDNF’s levels were significantly lower in patients with CNS manifestations (p = 0.039) and higher in patients with fever (p = 0.03) and dyspnea (p = 0.006). Secondly, BDNF levels have a significant negative association with oxygen therapy requirement (p = 0.015). These results strongly suggest the critical association between dysregulated BDNF and hypoxia in promoting COVID-19 manifestations, particularly neurological impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Asgarzadeh
- Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Nasrin Fouladi
- School of Medicine and Allied Medical Sciences, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.,Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Vahid Asghariazar
- Immunology Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.,Deputy of Research and Technology, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Shahnaz Fooladi Sarabi
- Fellowship of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Hamid Afzoun Khiavi
- Immunology Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Mahsa Mahmoudi
- School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Elham Safarzadeh
- Department of Microbiology, Parasitology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
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22
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Neurotrophin Signaling Impairment by Viral Infections in the Central Nervous System. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105817. [PMID: 35628626 PMCID: PMC9146244 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophins, such as nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and neurotrophin 3 (NT-3), NT-4, and NT-5, are proteins involved in several important functions of the central nervous system. The activation of the signaling pathways of these neurotrophins, or even by their immature form, pro-neurotrophins, starts with their recognition by cellular receptors, such as tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) and 75 kD NT receptors (p75NTR). The Trk receptor is considered to have a high affinity for attachment to specific neurotrophins, while the p75NTR receptor has less affinity for attachment with neurotrophins. The correct functioning of these signaling pathways contributes to proper brain development, neuronal survival, and synaptic plasticity. Unbalanced levels of neurotrophins and pro-neurotrophins have been associated with neurological disorders, illustrating the importance of these molecules in the central nervous system. Furthermore, reports have indicated that viruses can alter the normal levels of neurotrophins by interfering with their signaling pathways. This work discusses the importance of neurotrophins in the central nervous system, their signaling pathways, and how viruses can affect them.
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23
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Lombardo M, Feraco A, Bellia C, Prisco L, D’Ippolito I, Padua E, Storz MA, Lauro D, Caprio M, Bellia A. Influence of Nutritional Status and Physical Exercise on Immune Response in Metabolic Syndrome. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14102054. [PMID: 35631195 PMCID: PMC9145042 DOI: 10.3390/nu14102054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic alterations mostly related to visceral adiposity, which in turn promotes glucose intolerance and a chronic systemic inflammatory state, characterized by immune cell infiltration. Such immune system activation increases the risk of severe disease subsequent to viral infections. Strong correlations between elevated body mass index (BMI), type-2-diabetes and increased risk of hospitalization after pandemic influenza H1N1 infection have been described. Similarly, a correlation between elevated blood glucose level and SARS-CoV-2 infection severity and mortality has been described, indicating MetS as an important predictor of clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Adipose secretome, including two of the most abundant and well-studied adipokines, leptin and interleukin-6, is involved in the regulation of energy metabolism and obesity-related low-grade inflammation. Similarly, skeletal muscle hormones—called myokines—released in response to physical exercise affect both metabolic homeostasis and immune system function. Of note, several circulating hormones originate from both adipose tissue and skeletal muscle and display different functions, depending on the metabolic context. This review aims to summarize recent data in the field of exercise immunology, investigating the acute and chronic effects of exercise on myokines release and immune system function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Lombardo
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma Open University, 00166 Rome, Italy; (A.F.); (L.P.); (E.P.); (M.C.); (A.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Alessandra Feraco
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma Open University, 00166 Rome, Italy; (A.F.); (L.P.); (E.P.); (M.C.); (A.B.)
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Endocrinology, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Bellia
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences, and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Luigi Prisco
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma Open University, 00166 Rome, Italy; (A.F.); (L.P.); (E.P.); (M.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Ilenia D’Ippolito
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (I.D.); (D.L.)
| | - Elvira Padua
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma Open University, 00166 Rome, Italy; (A.F.); (L.P.); (E.P.); (M.C.); (A.B.)
- School of Human Movement Science, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Maximilian Andreas Storz
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Center for Complementary Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany;
| | - Davide Lauro
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (I.D.); (D.L.)
| | - Massimiliano Caprio
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma Open University, 00166 Rome, Italy; (A.F.); (L.P.); (E.P.); (M.C.); (A.B.)
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Endocrinology, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | - Alfonso Bellia
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma Open University, 00166 Rome, Italy; (A.F.); (L.P.); (E.P.); (M.C.); (A.B.)
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; (I.D.); (D.L.)
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24
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Petrella C, Nenna R, Petrarca L, Tarani F, Paparella R, Mancino E, Di Mattia G, Conti MG, Matera L, Bonci E, Ceci FM, Ferraguti G, Gabanella F, Barbato C, Di Certo MG, Cavalcanti L, Minni A, Midulla F, Tarani L, Fiore M. Serum NGF and BDNF in Long-COVID-19 Adolescents: A Pilot Study. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12051162. [PMID: 35626317 PMCID: PMC9140550 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12051162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease 19) is an infectious disease also known as an acute respiratory syndrome caused by the SARS-CoV-2. Although in children and adolescents SARS-CoV-2 infection produces mostly mild or moderate symptoms, in a certain percentage of recovered young people a condition of malaise, defined as long-COVID-19, remains. To date, the risk factors for the development of long-COVID-19 are not completely elucidated. Neurotrophins such as NGF (Nerve Growth Factor) and BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) are known to regulate not only neuronal growth, survival and plasticity, but also to influence cardiovascular, immune, and endocrine systems in physiological and/or pathological conditions; to date only a few papers have discussed their potential role in COVID-19. In the present pilot study, we aimed to identify NGF and BDNF changes in the serum of a small cohort of male and female adolescents that contracted the infection during the second wave of the pandemic (between September and October 2020), notably in the absence of available vaccines. Blood withdrawal was carried out when the recruited adolescents tested negative for the SARS-CoV-2 (“post-infected COVID-19”), 30 to 35 days after the last molecular test. According to their COVID-19 related outcomes, the recruited individuals were divided into three groups: asymptomatics, acute symptomatics and symptomatics that over time developed long-COVID-19 symptoms (“future long-COVID-19”). As a control group, we analyzed the serum of age-matched healthy controls that did not contract the infection. Inflammatory biomarkers (TNF-α, TGF-β), MCP-1, IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12) were also analyzed with the free oxygen radicals’ presence as an oxidative stress index. We showed that NGF serum content was lower in post-infected-COVID-19 individuals when compared to healthy controls; BDNF levels were found to be higher compared to healthy individuals only in post-infected-COVID-19 symptomatic and future long-COVID-19 girls, leaving the BDNF levels unchanged in asymptomatic individuals if compared to controls. Oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers were unchanged in male and female adolescents, except for TGF-β that, similarly to BDNF, was higher in post-infected-COVID-19 symptomatic and future long-COVID-19 girls. We predicted that NGF and/or BDNF could be used as early biomarkers of COVID-19 morbidity in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Petrella
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (C.P.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (M.G.D.C.)
| | - Raffaella Nenna
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (R.N.); (L.P.); (F.T.); (R.P.); (E.M.); (G.D.M.); (M.G.C.); (L.M.); (F.M.); (L.T.)
| | - Laura Petrarca
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (R.N.); (L.P.); (F.T.); (R.P.); (E.M.); (G.D.M.); (M.G.C.); (L.M.); (F.M.); (L.T.)
| | - Francesca Tarani
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (R.N.); (L.P.); (F.T.); (R.P.); (E.M.); (G.D.M.); (M.G.C.); (L.M.); (F.M.); (L.T.)
| | - Roberto Paparella
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (R.N.); (L.P.); (F.T.); (R.P.); (E.M.); (G.D.M.); (M.G.C.); (L.M.); (F.M.); (L.T.)
| | - Enrica Mancino
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (R.N.); (L.P.); (F.T.); (R.P.); (E.M.); (G.D.M.); (M.G.C.); (L.M.); (F.M.); (L.T.)
| | - Greta Di Mattia
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (R.N.); (L.P.); (F.T.); (R.P.); (E.M.); (G.D.M.); (M.G.C.); (L.M.); (F.M.); (L.T.)
| | - Maria Giulia Conti
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (R.N.); (L.P.); (F.T.); (R.P.); (E.M.); (G.D.M.); (M.G.C.); (L.M.); (F.M.); (L.T.)
| | - Luigi Matera
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (R.N.); (L.P.); (F.T.); (R.P.); (E.M.); (G.D.M.); (M.G.C.); (L.M.); (F.M.); (L.T.)
| | - Enea Bonci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (E.B.); (F.M.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Flavio Maria Ceci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (E.B.); (F.M.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Giampiero Ferraguti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (E.B.); (F.M.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Francesca Gabanella
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (C.P.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (M.G.D.C.)
| | - Christian Barbato
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (C.P.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (M.G.D.C.)
| | - Maria Grazia Di Certo
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (C.P.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (M.G.D.C.)
| | - Luca Cavalcanti
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (L.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Antonio Minni
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (L.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Fabio Midulla
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (R.N.); (L.P.); (F.T.); (R.P.); (E.M.); (G.D.M.); (M.G.C.); (L.M.); (F.M.); (L.T.)
| | - Luigi Tarani
- Department of Maternal Infantile and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (R.N.); (L.P.); (F.T.); (R.P.); (E.M.); (G.D.M.); (M.G.C.); (L.M.); (F.M.); (L.T.)
| | - Marco Fiore
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC-CNR), Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (C.P.); (F.G.); (C.B.); (M.G.D.C.)
- Correspondence:
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25
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Role of Body Mass and Physical Activity in Autonomic Function Modulation on Post-COVID-19 Condition: An Observational Subanalysis of Fit-COVID Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19042457. [PMID: 35206647 PMCID: PMC8875183 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19042457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The harmful effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can reach the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and endothelial function. Therefore, the detrimental multiorgan effects of COVID-19 could be induced by deregulations in ANS that may persist after the acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, investigating the differences in ANS response in overweight/obese, and physically inactive participants who had COVID-19 compared to those who did not have the disease is necessary. The aim of the study was to analyze the autonomic function of young adults after mild-to-moderate infection with SARS-CoV-2 and to assess whether body mass index (BMI) and levels of physical activity modulates autonomic function in participants with and without COVID-19. Patients previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 and healthy controls were recruited for this cross-sectional observational study. A general anamnesis was taken, and BMI and physical activity levels were assessed. The ANS was evaluated through heart rate variability. A total of 57 subjects were evaluated. Sympathetic nervous system activity in the post-COVID-19 group was increased (stress index; p = 0.0273). They also presented lower values of parasympathetic activity (p < 0.05). Overweight/obese subjects in the post-COVID-19 group presented significantly lower parasympathetic activity and reduced global variability compared to non-obese in control group (p < 0.05). Physically inactive subjects in the post-COVID-19 group presented significantly higher sympathetic activity than active subjects in the control group. Parasympathetic activity was significantly increased in physically active subjects in the control group compared to the physically inactive post-COVID-19 group (p < 0.05). COVID-19 promotes changes in the ANS of young adults, and these changes are modulated by overweight/obesity and physical activity levels.
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