Serum and CSF alpha-synuclein levels do not change in COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms

SARS-CoV-2 infection can associate diverse neurological manifestations. Several studies have provided proof to support the theory of neurotropic involvement of SARS-CoV-2. Alpha-synuclein has been described as a native antiviral factor within neurons, and upregulation of this protein can be seen in animals that suffered other neuroinvasive infections. To assess if increased expression of this protein takes place in COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms, we analyzed serum total alpha-synuclein levels in three groups: seven COVID-19 patients with myoclonus, Parkinsonism and/or encephalopathy; thirteen age- and sex-matched COVID-19 patients without neurological involvement and eight age- and sex-matched healthy controls. We did not find differences among them. In a subset of four patients, the change in serum alpha-synuclein before and after the onset of neurological symptoms was not significant either. Cerebrospinal fluid alpha-synuclein levels were also similar between neurological COVID-19 and healthy controls. Overall, these results cannot support the hypothesis of alpha-synuclein upregulation in humans with neurological symptoms in COVID-19. Further research taking into account a larger group of COVID-19 patients including the whole spectrum of neurological manifestations and disease severity is needed.

Preparation and in vitro release studies of ibuprofen-loaded films and microspheres made from graft copolymers of poly(L-lactic acid) on acrylic backbones

The present article describes the preparation of films of various thickness and microspheres from new resorbable graft copolymers of polyacrylic (methyl methacrylate, MMA, or methyl acrylate, MA), or polyvinylic (vinyl pyrrolidone, VP) chains and poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) side blocks charged with 15-20% of ibuprofen (IBU) (a non-steroidic antiinflammatory agent). In the case of MMA-LLA and MA-LLA graft copolymers the release of IBU in buffered solution is modulated by the flexibility of the copolymer chains in a first step of one to two days and in a second step by the diffusive properties of the system as well as by the biodegradation of the polymers. The VP-PLLA graft copolymers are highly hydrophilic and the release of IBU is modulated by the diffusion of the drug through the swollen system. Specific interactions between the IBU molecules and the pyrrolidone rings also participate in the kinetic behaviour of the release process.