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Investigation of Urine Organic Acid Profile in Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Patients
Backgrounds:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infection caused by severe acute respiratory syn-drome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The high mortality and morbidity rate and its course with a wide variety of clinical symptoms indicate that the disease affects many metabolic pathways. The aim of our study was to investi-gate the metabolic effects of SARS-CoV-2 by evaluating the urinary organic acid profile in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Can metabolites in urine guide the diagnosis, follow-up, treatment, and prognosis of COVID-19?
Methods:
Forty-two patients, including 30 SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive patients and 12 SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR negative controls, were studied. SARS-COV-2 RT-PCR of nasopharyngeal swab samples was studied. Urines were evaluated in the GCMS-QP2010 SE Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (SHIMADZU) device for organic acid profile in the metabolism laboratory. Urine organic acid profile was evaluated by studying 117 organic acids in each patient.
Results:
Tiglylglycine, 2-hydroxybutyric acid, 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, erythro-4,5-dihydroxyhexanoic acid lactone, 2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, N-acetyltyrosine, 3-phenyllactic acid, 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid, 3-hydroxysebacic acid, palmitic acid, 3-methylglutaconic acid, 3-methylglutaric acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid-oxime, 3-hydroxysobutyric acid, and organic acids were found to be increased, compared to the control group.
Conclusions:
Tiglylglycine has been specifically identified as a potential biomarker of respiratory chain disorders. The deterioration in lipid metabolism and pyruvate pathway in COVID-19 patients was evaluated as remarkable.
Insights
Investigating the urinary organic acid profile in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) revealed significant metabolic alterations. These findings suggest that urine metabolites could potentially aid in diagnosing and managing COVID-19.
Area of Science:
- Metabolomics
- Biochemistry
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, presents with diverse clinical symptoms affecting multiple metabolic pathways.
- Understanding these metabolic disturbances is crucial for managing the disease's high morbidity and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the metabolic effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection by analyzing the urinary organic acid profile.
- To determine if urinary metabolites can serve as biomarkers for COVID-19 diagnosis, follow-up, treatment, and prognosis.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed the urinary organic acid profiles of 30 SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive patients and 12 negative controls.
- Utilized Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to evaluate 117 organic acids per patient.
Main Results:
- Identified increased levels of specific organic acids, including tiglylglycine, 2-hydroxybutyric acid, and lactic acid, in COVID-19 patients compared to controls.
- Observed significant alterations in lipid metabolism and the pyruvate pathway.
Conclusions:
- Tiglylglycine emerged as a potential biomarker for respiratory chain disorders.
- Urinary organic acid profiling offers insights into the metabolic derangements caused by COVID-19, suggesting potential diagnostic and prognostic value.
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