Phenylalanine metabolism and tetrahydrobiopterin bio-availability in COVID-19 and HIV. Issue 4 (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mason, Shayne; van Reenen, Mari; Rossouw, Theresa; Lindeque, Zander; Louw, Roan
• Is Part Of: Heliyon. Volume 9:Issue 4(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: Phenylalanine -- Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) -- SARS-CoV-2 -- COVID-19 -- HIV -- Metabolism; Research -- Periodicals; Medical sciences -- Periodicals; Natural history -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Periodicals; Physical sciences -- Periodicals; 507.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2405-8440

Abstract

Abstract: Various metabolomics studies have reported increased phenylalanine serum concentrations in SARS-CoV-2 positive cases and have correlated increased phenylalanine with COVID-19 severity. In this study, we report similar results based upon metabolomics analysis of serum collected from a South African cohort of adults with confirmed COVID-19. The novelty of this study is the inclusion of HIV positive cases in the African context. We found that pre-existing HIV co-infection exacerbates the disruption of phenylalanine metabolism in COVID-19. What is lacking in literature is biological context and deeper understanding of perturbed phenylalanine metabolism in COVID-19. We delve deep into the metabolism of phenylalanine in COVID-19 and posit new insights for COVID-19 cases co-infected with HIV; namely, HIV-COVID-19 co-infected individuals do not have sufficient bioavailability of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4 ). Hence, we identify BH4 as a potential supplement to alleviate/lessen COVID-19 symptoms. Abstract : Phenylalanine, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4 ), SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, HIV, metabolism.