Systematic review of amino acid profiles among COVID-19 patients caused by SARS-CoV-2.
Dysregulated amino acid profiles in COVID-19 patients may indicate disease severity, but further research is needed to validate these findings before they can be used clinically.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the vasopressin corpusSummary and findings
This systematic review examined amino acid profiles in 1355 confirmed COVID-19 patients to assess their relationship with disease severity. Key findings indicated reduced levels of arginine, glutamine, and tryptophan, alongside elevated phenylalanine and branched-chain amino acids. The study highlights the potential for dysregulated amino acid profiles as biomarkers for disease severity.
Abstract
<h4>Background</h4>Emerging evidence highlights the critical role of amino acid metabolism in the pathogenesis and severity of COVID-19. This review included studies encompassing patients with varying degrees of disease severity, from mild to critical cases.<h4>Methods</h4>A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted, and study quality was appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa tools to explore the relationship between amino acid profiles and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (from the start of the pandemic through the most recent data available on December 2024) identified peer-reviewed studies reporting original data on amino acid metabolism in COVID-19 patients.<h4>Results</h4>Fourteen eligiblestudies involving 1355 confirmed COVID-19 patients (1726 total participants) were included and revealed significant disruptions inamino acid profiles. Key findings included reduced levels of arginine, glutamine, and tryptophan, alongside elevated phenylalanine andbranched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). These changes were associated with disease severity, immune suppression, systemicinflammation, and metabolic reprogramming. Dysregulation of pathways such as the urea cycle and kynurenine pathway were linked toendothelial dysfunction and immune dysregulation.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Dysregulated amino acid profiles may serve as potential biomarkers for disease severity and require further validation before clinical application. Restoring amino acid balance or modulating metabolic pathways could improve clinical outcomes. Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore personalized treatment strategies aimed at mitigating the metabolic consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection.<h4>Supplementary information</h4>The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-026-02012-4.
Background
This paper addresses the role of amino acid metabolism in COVID-19, a viral infection caused by SARS-CoV-2, which has shown to affect various metabolic pathways. Prior research has suggested that amino acid profiles may correlate with disease severity and patient outcomes. Understanding these associations is crucial for identifying potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in managing COVID-19.
Methods
The study utilized a systematic review design following PRISMA guidelines, appraising the quality of included studies with the Newcastle-Ottawa tools. A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases including PubMed and Scopus, focusing on peer-reviewed studies that reported original data on amino acid metabolism in COVID-19 patients. The review included 14 studies with a total of 1355 confirmed COVID-19 patients.
Results
The review identified significant disruptions in amino acid profiles among COVID-19 patients. Specifically, levels of arginine, glutamine, and tryptophan were reduced, while phenylalanine and branched-chain amino acids were elevated. These alterations were associated with disease severity, immune suppression, and systemic inflammation. However, specific numeric findings such as effect sizes or p-values were not reported in the abstract.
Interpretation
The findings suggest that dysregulated amino acid profiles may serve as potential biomarkers for COVID-19 severity, aligning with prior literature that indicates metabolic disturbances in viral infections. However, the clinical significance of these findings remains uncertain, as the effect sizes were not quantified. The review's reliance on existing studies introduces confounding factors, including variability in study design and quality, which may limit the conclusions drawn.
Key findings
- 1355 confirmed COVID-19 patients included, n=1726 total participants.
- Reduced levels of arginine, glutamine, and tryptophan observed.
- Elevated levels of phenylalanine and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) reported.
- Significant disruptions in amino acid profiles associated with disease severity.
- Dysregulation linked to immune suppression, systemic inflammation, and metabolic reprogramming.
Limitations
- Not all studies included were of high quality.
- Potential variability in methodologies across included studies.
- No specific numeric findings such as effect sizes or p-values reported.
- Further validation needed before clinical application.