A Review of the Potential Effects of Melatonin in Compromised Mitochondrial Redox Activities in Elderly Patients With COVID-19

Calcium-mediated mitochondrial fission and mitophagy drive glycolysis to facilitate arterivirus proliferation

Mitochondria, recognized as the "powerhouse" of cells, play a vital role in generating cellular energy through dynamic processes such as fission and fusion. Viruses have evolved mechanisms to hijack mitochondrial function for their survival and proliferation. Here, we report that infection with the swine arterivirus porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), manipulates mitochondria calcium ions (Ca2+) to induce mitochondrial fission and mitophagy, thereby reprogramming cellular energy metabolism to facilitate its own replication. Mechanistically, PRRSV-induced mitochondrial fission is caused by elevated levels of mitochondria Ca2+, derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) through inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor (IP3R)-voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1)-mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) channels. This process is associated with increased mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs), mediated by the upregulated expression of sigma non-opioid intracellular receptor 1 (SIGMAR1). Elevated mitochondria Ca2+ further activates the Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ)-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) signaling pathway, which interacts with mitochondrial fission protein 1 (FIS1) and mitochondrial dynamics proteins of 49 kDa (MiD49) to promote mitochondrial fission. PRRSV infection, alongside mitochondrial fission, triggers mitophagy via the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)-Parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin (Parkin) pathway, promoting cellular glycolysis and excessive lactate production to facilitate its own replication. This study reveals the mechanism by which mitochondrial Ca2+ regulates mitochondrial function during PRRSV infection, providing new insights into the interplay between the virus and host cell metabolism.

Mitochondria in COVID-19: from cellular and molecular perspective

The rapid development of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a closer analysis of cell functioning during β-coronavirus infection. This review will describe evidence for COVID-19 as a syndrome with a strong, albeit still underestimated, mitochondrial component. Due to the sensitivity of host mitochondria to coronavirus infection, SARS-CoV-2 affects mitochondrial signaling, modulates the immune response, modifies cellular energy metabolism, induces apoptosis and ageing, worsening COVID-19 symptoms which can sometimes be fatal. Various aberrations across human systems and tissues and their relationships with mitochondria were reported. In this review, particular attention is given to characterization of multiple alterations in gene expression pattern and mitochondrial metabolism in COVID-19; the complexity of interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and mitochondrial proteins is presented. The participation of mitogenome fragments in cell signaling and the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 subgenomic RNA within membranous compartments, including mitochondria is widely discussed. As SARS-CoV-2 severely affects the quality system of mitochondria, the cellular background for aberrations in mitochondrial dynamics in COVID-19 is additionally characterized. Finally, perspectives on the mitigation of COVID-19 symptoms by affecting mitochondrial biogenesis by numerous compounds and therapeutic treatments are briefly outlined.

Illuminating the immunological landscape: mitochondrial gene defects in pancreatic cancer through a multiomics lens

This comprehensive review delves into the complex interplay between mitochondrial gene defects and pancreatic cancer pathogenesis through a multiomics approach. By amalgamating data from genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic studies, we dissected the mechanisms by which mitochondrial genetic variations dictate cancer progression. Emphasis has been placed on the roles of these genes in altering cellular metabolic processes, signal transduction pathways, and immune system interactions. We further explored how these findings could refine therapeutic interventions, with a particular focus on precision medicine applications. This analysis not only fills pivotal knowledge gaps about mitochondrial anomalies in pancreatic cancer but also paves the way for future investigations into personalized therapy options. This finding underscores the crucial nexus between mitochondrial genetics and oncological immunology, opening new avenues for targeted cancer treatment strategies.

Association of Sleep Quality With Fatigue in Post-COVID-19 Patients in an Indian Population

OBJECTIVE

The aims of the study are to assess the quality of sleep in recently recovered COVID-19 and long-COVID cases and to determine its associations with fatigue and pain.

METHODS

Post-COVID-19 cases ( n = 201) and controls ( n = 206) were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire for sleep quality, Fatigue Severity Scale for fatigue, and Numeric Pain Rating Scale for pain in this observational study.

RESULTS

Global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score was higher ( P ≤ 0.001) among cases (5.7 ± 5.1; 95% confidence interval, 5.0-6.4) than controls (2.1 ± 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-2.4). Normal sleep latency was observed in 56 (27.9%) patients and 164 (79.6%) controls ( P < 0.001). Fatigue Severity Scale score was higher ( P ≤ 0.001) among cases (16.8 ± 10.2; 95% confidence interval, 15.4, 18.2) against controls (10.9 ± 4.1; 95% confidence interval, 10.3-11.4). The Fatigue Severity Scale scores in mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 were 14.3 ± 8.1, 22.1 ± 10.8, and 22.8 ± 13, respectively ( P < 0.001) and higher in the older (20.7 ± 12.1) and middle-aged (19.6 ± 10.3) than in younger (13.9 ± 8.3) ( P ≤ 0.001) cases. The global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score was positively correlated with the Fatigue Severity Scale ( r = 0.755, P < 0.001) and Numeric Pain Rating Scale scores ( r = 0.657, P < 0.001). Numeric Pain Rating Scale score correlated with Fatigue Severity Scale score ( r = 0.710, P < 0.001). Fatigue Severity Scale and global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores were higher in the long-COVID group ( P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Significantly poor sleep quality was observed in post-COVID-19 individuals including long COVID being positively associated with fatigue and pain.

Mitochondrial quality control: prime targets for antiviral therapy?

Mitochondrial quality control (MQC) plays a crucial role in maintaining mitochondrial health. Mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy are two intricate processes of the MQC machinery acting at the organelle level to orchestrate mitochondrial homeostasis. Here, we discuss how viruses perturb these two processes to facilitate their infections and emphasize the rationale and challenges of therapeutically targeting MQC for treating viral diseases.

Can melatonin reduce the severity of post-COVID-19 syndrome?

This short review aimed at (i) providing an update on the health benefits associated with melatonin supplementation, while (ii) considering future potential research directions concerning melatonin supplementation use relative to Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). A narrative review of the literature was undertaken to ascertain the effect of exogenous melatonin administration on humans. Night-time melatonin administration has a positive impact on human physiology and mental health. Indeed, melatonin (i) modulates the circadian components of the sleep-wake cycle; (ii) improves sleep efficiency and mood status; (iii) improves insulin sensitivity; and (iv) reduces inflammatory markers and oxidative stress. Melatonin has also remarkable neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects and may therefore prevent deterioration caused by COVID-19. We suggest that melatonin could be used as a potential therapy in the post-COVID-19 syndrome, and therefore call for action the research community to investigate on the potential use of exogenous melatonin to enhance the quality of life in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome. See also Figure 1(Fig. 1).