Acute severe SARS COVID-19 patients produce pro-resolving lipids mediators and eicosanoids

This study aimed to evaluate the eicosanoid and pro resolutive parameters in SARS COVID-19 patients with the severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Fourteen male patients with an acute respiratory syndrome caused by SARS COVID-19 and four healthy controls were evaluated by measuring the following parameters in plasma: Polyunsaturated fatty acids: EPA, DHA, ARA, and DPA. Specialized Pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) (including monohydroxy-containing precursors 17-HDHA, 18-HEPE, 14-HDHA) resolvins, maresins, protectins, and lipoxins. The eicosanoids group included prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes.

Plasma from COVID-19 patients presented higher amounts of pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic lipid mediators as compared to healthy subjects (65.7 pg/ml vs. 10.2 pg/ml), including thromboxane (2142.6 pg/ml vs. 10.4 pg/ml), and the ratio between total plasma pro-inflammatory mediators versus total SPM's was 13.2 to 0,4, respectively.

A clear disbalance favoring the pro-inflammatory axis is described, showing the need to perform future clinical interventions in these patients using SPM's or monohydroxylated lipid mediators derivates from fatty acids.