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Alteration of Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations in Iranian Children With Covid-19 Publisher



Shams S1, 2 ; Azariyam A3 ; Safavi M3 ; Zamani Z4 ; Sotoudehanvari M3 ; Sharifzadeh Ekbatani M5 ; Haghiashtiani MT1 ; Mozafari F4 ; Yaghmaie B5 ; Shafeghat L4
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Pathology Department, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Growth and Development Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Molecular Pathology and Cytogenetic Division, Pathology Department, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: International Journal of Pediatrics (United Kingdom) Published:2022


Abstract

COVID-19 is an acute viral disease that has so far infected more than 200 million and killed more than four million worldwide. It affects the immune system and other organs. Here, we investigated the level of free plasma amino acids in COVID-19 patients and compared them with non-COVID-19 subjects. We also compared amino acids levels in critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with non-ICU patients and expired and recovered patients. Twenty-six COVID-19 patients and 32 non-COVID-19 subjects were included in the study. The mean of glutamic acid, serine, glycine, threonine, phenylalanine, leucine, lysine, alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, and ornithine was significantly higher in cases than controls. In addition, the mean of glutamine was significantly lower in patients than controls (443.89±254.31 vs. 651.73±107.38, PV<0.001). Low level of glutamine and isoleucine was seen in the majority of ICU and expired patients, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed low level of isoleucine as a predictor variable in mortality (P=0.02, EXP B=16.5, and CI 95%=1.48,-183.07). There was a positive and significant relationship between some amino acids levels, serum liver enzymes, and sodium concentrations. There was also a significant but negative correlation between histidine levels, ESR, and ferritin. Phenylalanine had a highly positive relationship with serum procalcitonin in patients (R2=0.534, PV=0.015). Our studies have shown the alteration of plasma amino acids concentration in COVID-19 patients. These changes are more evident in critically ill and at-risk patients. © 2022 Sedigheh Shams et al.