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COVID-19 infection alters kynurenine and fatty acid metabolism, correlating with IL-6 levels and renal status.
Thomas, T, Stefanoni, D, Reisz, JA, Nemkov, T, Bertolone, L, Francis, RO, Hudson, KE, Zimring, JC, Hansen, KC, Hod, EA, et al
JCI insight. 2020;5(14)
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There is increasing urgency for the development of Covid-19 therapies. Treatments preventing infection and decreasing the amount of virus in the body have largely been unsuccessful and so the focus has turned to host biological pathways, which may be altered by Covid-19 infection. This observational study of forty-nine Covid-19 positive and negative individuals aimed to determine alterations in the hosts metabolism. The results showed that Covid-19 infection was associated with disrupted host inflammatory and immune pathways. Markers for kidney dysfunction were also increased alongside raised blood sugar levels and fatty acids in the blood. It was concluded that inflammatory markers may be an indicator for disease severity and a target for Covid-19 therapy. Dietary therapy could be used to target blood fatty acid changes brought about by Covid-19 infection. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to understand that inflammation is increased in Covid-19 patients and in lieu of approved therapies, dietary intervention may be of benefit.
Abstract
BACKGROUNDReprogramming of host metabolism supports viral pathogenesis by fueling viral proliferation, by providing, for example, free amino acids and fatty acids as building blocks.METHODSTo investigate metabolic effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection, we evaluated serum metabolites of patients with COVID-19 (n = 33; diagnosed by nucleic acid testing), as compared with COVID-19-negative controls (n = 16).RESULTSTargeted and untargeted metabolomics analyses identified altered tryptophan metabolism into the kynurenine pathway, which regulates inflammation and immunity. Indeed, these changes in tryptophan metabolism correlated with interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. Widespread dysregulation of nitrogen metabolism was also seen in infected patients, with altered levels of most amino acids, along with increased markers of oxidant stress (e.g., methionine sulfoxide, cystine), proteolysis, and renal dysfunction (e.g., creatine, creatinine, polyamines). Increased circulating levels of glucose and free fatty acids were also observed, consistent with altered carbon homeostasis. Interestingly, metabolite levels in these pathways correlated with clinical laboratory markers of inflammation (i.e., IL-6 and C-reactive protein) and renal function (i.e., blood urea nitrogen).CONCLUSIONIn conclusion, this initial observational study identified amino acid and fatty acid metabolism as correlates of COVID-19, providing mechanistic insights, potential markers of clinical severity, and potential therapeutic targets.FUNDINGBoettcher Foundation Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Award; National Institute of General and Medical Sciences, NIH; and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH.
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Assessment of sleep and obesity in adults and children: Observational study.
Bonanno, L, Metro, D, Papa, M, Finzi, G, Maviglia, A, Sottile, F, Corallo, F, Manasseri, L
Medicine. 2019;98(46):e17642
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Sleep is essential to support the functions and health of the entire body. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between sleep duration and quality, and overweight risk and obesity in children and adults. The study was conducted on secondary school children. It involved 199 subjects of which 71 were adults (29 males and 42 females) with age between 29 and 65 years, and 128 children (73 males and 55 females) with age between 10 and 13 years. Results indicate that the duration and quality of sleep can represent a risk factor of overweight and obesity in examined subjects (both adults and children irrespective of their gender). Authors conclude that sufficient sleep is required to maintain a normal weight.
Abstract
The sleep allows many psychological processes, such as immune system activity, body metabolism and hormonal balance, emotional and mental health, learning, mnemonic processes. The lack of sleep could undermine mental and physical purposes, causing an alteration in cognitive functions or metabolic disorders. In our study, we have examined the irregular sleep effects with the overweight and obesity risk in children and adults.The sample was composed of 199 subjects, of which 71 adults, (29 males and 42 females), and 128 children (73 males and 55 females). We have measured the weight and height with standard techniques; we also have measured the body mass index dividing the weight in kg with the height square expressed in meters (kg/m). Subjects were divided into underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese. Were administered some questionnaires to measure the quantity and quality of sleep, and eating habits and individual consumption of food.Analysis of demographic variables not showed significant differences between male and female groups but highlighted a significant trend differences in normal-weight score. The clinical condition has a substantial impact on body mass index score and sleep hours were significant predictor on this.Quantity and quality sleep can also represent a risk factor of overweight and obesity, so sufficient sleep is a factor that influence a normal weight. Adults and children that sleep less, have an increase in obesity and overweight risk with dysfunctional eating behaviors, decreased physical activity, and metabolic changes.
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Impact of red meat, processed meat and fibre intake on risk of late-onset chronic inflammatory diseases: prospective cohort study on lifestyle factors using the Danish 'Diet, Cancer and Health' cohort (PROCID-DCH): protocol.
Rasmussen, NF, Rubin, KH, Stougaard, M, Tjønneland, A, Stenager, E, Lund Hetland, M, Glintborg, B, Bygum, A, Andersen, V
BMJ open. 2019;9(3):e024555
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Chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs) can be considered as systemic diseases which primarily affect one organ such as the intestine, skin, joints or the brain. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the impact of fibre, red meat and processed meat on disease risk outcomes of late-onset CID in the ‘Diet, Cancer and Health’ (DCH) cohort. The study is an observational prospective cohort study. The study will use data from 57,053 persons from the prospective Danish cohort study ‘Diet, Cancer and Health’ together with National Health Registry data. The study does not only target one CID but it looks at several CIDs. Furthermore, the linkage to Danish health registries will ensure almost complete follow-up of the study population since the Danish health registries are considered the internationally most comprehensive with high validity.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs) (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis) are diseases of the immune system that have some shared genetic and environmental predisposing factors, but still few studies have investigated the effects of lifestyle on disease risk of several CIDs. The primary aim of this prospective cohort study is to investigate the impact of fibre, red meat and processed meat on risk of late-onset CID, with the perspective that results of this study can contribute in supporting future diet recommendations for effective personalised prevention. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The study will use data from 57 053 persons from the prospective Danish cohort study 'Diet, Cancer and Health' together with National Health Registry data. The follow-up period is from December 1993 to December 2018. Questionnaire data on diet and lifestyle were collected at entry to the Diet, Cancer and Health study. The outcome CID is defined as having a diagnosis of one of the CIDs registered in the National Patient Registry or, for multiple sclerosis, in the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry during follow-up and being treated with a drug used for the specific disease. The major outcome of the analyses will be to detect variability in risk of late onset of any CID and, if power allows, disease risk of late onset of each CID diagnosis between persons with different fibre and red meat, and processed meat intake. The outcome will be adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, physical activity, energy, alcohol, fermented dairy products, education, smoking status, hormone replacement therapy and comorbidity. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study is approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency (2012-58-0018). The core study is an open register-based cohort study. The study does not need approval from the Ethics committee or Institutional Review Board by Danish law. Study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, patient associations and presentations at international conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03456206; Post-results.