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Hypothesis: inflammatory acid-base disruption underpins Long Covid
Vicky van der Togt1, Jeremy S Rossman1,2
1Research-Aid Networks, Chicago, IL, United States.
Frontiers in Immunology
|May 1, 2023
Summary
Long Covid, or Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), may stem from acid-base disruptions caused by anaerobic respiration. This study proposes testing this hypothesis by monitoring acid-base markers in PASC patients.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Metabolic Medicine
- Physiology
Background:
- The underlying mechanisms of Long Covid (Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19; PASC) remain unknown, lacking validated diagnostics and therapeutics.
- SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to widespread tissue damage, inflammation, and metabolic changes, impairing microvascular circulation and causing hypoxia.
- Hypoxia, combined with viral-induced metabolic shifts, promotes cellular anaerobic respiration and systemic acid-base balance dysregulation in both acute and PASC patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and outline a testable hypothesis for the mechanism of PASC.
- To investigate the role of acid-base disruption in PASC pathogenesis.
- To suggest a potential avenue for developing diagnostics and therapeutics for PASC.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal evaluation of acid-base balance markers in PASC patients and control groups.
- Monitoring of key physiological and metabolic indicators over a one-month period.
- Comparative analysis of acid-base markers between PASC patients and healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Preliminary data indicate systemic dysregulation of acid-base balance markers in PASC patients.
- Evidence suggests a shift towards anaerobic respiration contributing to metabolic changes.
- Impaired microvascular circulation and hypoxia are observed in affected individuals.
Conclusions:
- The study hypothesizes that acid-base disruption, driven by anaerobic respiration, underlies PASC symptoms across multiple organ systems.
- Testing this hypothesis through longitudinal monitoring of acid-base markers is proposed.
- Confirmation could significantly advance understanding and treatment strategies for PASC.
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