One in ten individuals post-COVID-19 may face long-term coronavirus consequences – post-COVID syndrome. The post-COVID syndrome can develop even after a mild form of the disease and cause long-term health issues. Inflammation and oxidative stress play a crucial role in post-COVID syndrome. For instance, a high level of inflammatory cytokine IL-6 is associated with the most severe impairments in post-COVID syndrome.
Post-COVID syndrome can manifest in various ways, from cardiovascular disorders, anxiety, and depression to gastrointestinal symptoms or cognitive impairments. Therefore, each case of post-COVID syndrome requires an individualized treatment approach, depending on the symptoms. Identifying markers associated with specific post-COVID syndrome symptoms can enable tailoring treatment for each patient to prevent long-term health problems.
Plasma Proteins Elevated in Post-COVID Syndrome
Scientists from the National Heart and Lung Institute in the UK analyzed 368 plasma proteins in the blood of 657 patients who had COVID-19 six months ago. 65% of patients experienced post-COVID syndrome symptoms. Depending on the symptoms, patients were divided into groups:
- Cardiovascular disorders;
- Anxiety and depression;
- Gastrointestinal symptoms;
- Cognitive impairments.
Women were more likely to suffer from cardiovascular and cognitive symptoms. Patients with pre-existing chronic lung, nervous, and cardiovascular diseases were more likely to experience various forms of post-COVID syndrome. At the same time, age, C-reactive protein level, and severity of COVID-19 did not influence the development of post-COVID syndrome.
Post-COVID Syndrome Biomarkers:
- IL-1R2, MATN2, and COLEC12 proteins are elevated in cardiovascular symptoms, fatigue, anxiety, and depression.
- MATN2, CSF3, and C1QA are elevated in gastrointestinal symptoms.
- C1QA is elevated in cognitive impairments.
- DPP10 and SCG3 may be associated with inflammatory bowel diseases and irritable bowel syndrome.
- NFASC and SPON-1 proteins, regulating neuron growth, may indicate neuroinflammation and potential neurodegenerative processes.
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