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Żak K, Starek E, Korga-Plewko A, Rasoul-Pelińska K, Abramiuk M, Michalczuk M, Rajtak A, Kotarski J, Frankowska K, Bis L, Ostrowska-Leśko M, Bobiński M. Assessment of the Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on the Sexual Function of Women, Levels of Oxytocin and Prolactin: A Prospective Cohort Study. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2230. [PMID: 38673504 PMCID: PMC11051359 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13082230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: There is a lack of direct evidence on whether SARS-CoV-2 affects women's sexual function through a biological-organic mechanism. Existing studies on the topic are few and have produced contradictory results. This study aims to explore the possible relationship between sex hormones and sexual function in patients who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, we aimed to determine whether these changes are related to the clinical course of COVID-19 and whether they are temporary or long-lasting. (2) Methods: A study was conducted on 104 women, including 64 women infected with COVID-19 and a control group of 40 healthy women, between January 2021 and August 2022. Blood samples were collected to measure prolactin and oxytocin levels, and a clinical assessment was performed 3 and 6 months later. Sexual function self-assessment was captured based on the FSFI scale. (3) Results: Our study found that patients with severe COVID-19 had better sexual satisfaction scores one month after recovery but no discernible difference after six months. High levels of serum prolactin were observed in patients with active COVID-19 but became similar to a control group after one month and remained stable over time. Higher prolactin levels were significantly associated with increased arousal and hydration. Individuals with severe COVID-19 had notably low levels of plasma oxytocin, but there was no correlation between oxytocin levels and sexual satisfaction. (4) Conclusions: The gynecologic symptoms, as well as disturbances in oxytocin and prolactin levels, might be observed in a short time after infection. However, SARS-CoV-2 infection has no lasting effect on sexual function, oxytocin, and prolactin levels among women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaudia Żak
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Ernest Starek
- I Chair and Department of Oncologic Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (K.R.-P.); (M.A.); (A.R.); (K.F.); (M.B.)
| | - Agnieszka Korga-Plewko
- Independent Medical Biology Unit, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (A.K.-P.); (M.M.)
| | - Karolina Rasoul-Pelińska
- I Chair and Department of Oncologic Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (K.R.-P.); (M.A.); (A.R.); (K.F.); (M.B.)
| | - Monika Abramiuk
- I Chair and Department of Oncologic Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (K.R.-P.); (M.A.); (A.R.); (K.F.); (M.B.)
- Independent Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Gynecology and Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
| | - Mariola Michalczuk
- Independent Medical Biology Unit, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (A.K.-P.); (M.M.)
| | - Alicja Rajtak
- I Chair and Department of Oncologic Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (K.R.-P.); (M.A.); (A.R.); (K.F.); (M.B.)
| | - Jan Kotarski
- Independent Laboratory of Cancer Diagnostics and Immunology, Medical University in Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Karolina Frankowska
- I Chair and Department of Oncologic Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (K.R.-P.); (M.A.); (A.R.); (K.F.); (M.B.)
| | - Liliana Bis
- I Chair and Department of Oncologic Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (K.R.-P.); (M.A.); (A.R.); (K.F.); (M.B.)
| | - Marta Ostrowska-Leśko
- Chair and Department of Toxicology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Marcin Bobiński
- I Chair and Department of Oncologic Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (K.R.-P.); (M.A.); (A.R.); (K.F.); (M.B.)
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Yan Q, Gao C, Li M, Lan R, Wei S, Fan R, Cheng W. TRP Ion Channels in Immune Cells and Their Implications for Inflammation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2719. [PMID: 38473965 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels act as cellular sensors and mediate a plethora of physiological processes, including somatosensation, proliferation, apoptosis, and metabolism. Under specific conditions, certain TRP channels are involved in inflammation and immune responses. Thus, focusing on the role of TRPs in immune system cells may contribute to resolving inflammation. In this review, we discuss the distribution of five subfamilies of mammalian TRP ion channels in immune system cells and how these ion channels function in inflammatory mechanisms. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of TRP ion channels in mediating inflammation and may offer potential avenues for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyue Yan
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Chuanzhou Gao
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Mei Li
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Rui Lan
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Shaohan Wei
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Runsong Fan
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Wei Cheng
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
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Novak Kujundžić R. COVID-19: Are We Facing Secondary Pellagra Which Cannot Simply Be Cured by Vitamin B3? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084309. [PMID: 35457123 PMCID: PMC9032523 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and ensuing inflammation pose a huge challenge to the host’s nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) metabolism. Humans depend on vitamin B3 for biosynthesis of NAD+, indispensable for many metabolic and NAD+-consuming signaling reactions. The balance between its utilization and resynthesis is vitally important. Many extra-pulmonary symptoms of COVID-19 strikingly resemble those of pellagra, vitamin B3 deficiency (e.g., diarrhoea, dermatitis, oral cavity and tongue manifestations, loss of smell and taste, mental confusion). In most developed countries, pellagra is successfully eradicated by vitamin B3 fortification programs. Thus, conceivably, it has not been suspected as a cause of COVID-19 symptoms. Here, the deregulation of the NAD+ metabolism in response to the SARS-CoV-2 infection is reviewed, with special emphasis on the differences in the NAD+ biosynthetic pathway’s efficiency in conditions predisposing for the development of serious COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced NAD+ depletion and the elevated levels of its metabolites contribute to the development of a systemic disease. Acute liberation of nicotinamide (NAM) in antiviral NAD+-consuming reactions potentiates “NAM drain”, cooperatively mediated by nicotinamide N-methyltransferase and aldehyde oxidase. “NAM drain” compromises the NAD+ salvage pathway’s fail-safe function. The robustness of the host’s NAD+ salvage pathway, prior to the SARS-CoV-2 infection, is an important determinant of COVID-19 severity and persistence of certain symptoms upon resolution of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Novak Kujundžić
- Laboratory for Epigenomics, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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