Enfermedad de Wilson: generalidades y enfoque en un estudio de correlación para la determinación de ceruloplasmina sérica entre dos métodos para su diagnóstico

Wilson's disease is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism, causing cirrhosis of the liver and neuronal degeneration. A Pearson correlation study was carried out for 165 samples from the Immunology and Nephrology Divisions of the Clinical Laboratory of the San Juan de Dios Hospital, between the method considered as a reference, which is the enzymatic activity, and the serum concentration, which is the study method. They were segregated into three different groups according to the result obtained by the enzyme activity methodology and based on the reference values defined by this reference methodology in "values below the lower reference value", "values within the reference interval" and "values higher than the upper limit of reference ". A Pearson correlation study was performed for each group. It was evidenced that there is a poor correlation for the 4 settings, obtaining r = 0.84, r = 0.40, r = 0.44 and r = 0.74 respectively. It is recommended not to perform serum ceruloplasmin determinations based solely on the concentration of this protein carried out by immunoturbidimetry, especially in patients with suspected diagnosis of Wilson's disease. It was shown that there is a low correlation between the 2 available methodologies throughout their analytical range. The enzyme activity methodology is still considered the gold standard for the determination of this protein.La enfermedad de Wilson es un trastorno autosómico recesivo del metabolismo del cobre, que produce cirrosis hepática y degeneración neuronal. Se realizó un estudio de correlación de Pearson para 165 muestras de las Divisiones de Inmunología y Nefrología del Laboratorio Clínico del Hospital San Juan de Dios, entre el método considerado como referencia, que es la actividad enzimática, y la concentración sérica, que es el método de estudio. Se segregaron en tres grupos distintos según el resultado obtenido por la metodología de actividad enzimática y basados en los valores de referencia definidos por esta metodología de referencia en “valores por debajo del valor inferior de referencia”, “valores dentro del intervalo de referencia” y “valores superiores al límite superior de referencia” y se realizó un estudio de correlación de Pearson para cada grupo. Se evidenció que existe una pobre correlación para los 4 escenarios planteados obteniendo r = 0,84, r = 0,40, r = 0,44 y r = 0,74 respectivamente. Se recomienda no realizar determinaciones de ceruloplasmina sérica basadas únicamente en la concentración de esta proteína llevadas a cabo por inmunoturbidimetría, especialmente en pacientes con sospechas diagnósticas por Enfermedad de Wilson. Se demostró que existe una baja correlación entre las 2 metodologías disponibles en todo su intervalo analítico. La metodología de la actividad enzimática es considerada aún como el estándar de oro para la determinación de esta proteína

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity