Towards understanding post-COVID-19 condition: A systematic meta-analysis of transcriptomic alterations with sex-specific insights.

BACKGROUND: Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC), characterized by lingering symptoms post-acute COVID-19, poses clinical challenges, highlighting the need to understand its underlying molecular mechanisms. This meta-analysis aims to shed light on the transcriptomic landscapes and sex-specific molecular dynamics intrinsic to PCC. METHODS: A systematic review identified three studies suitable for comprehensive meta-analysis, encompassing 135 samples (57 PCC subjects and 78 recovered subjects). We performed meta-analysis on differential gene expression, a gene set enrichment analysis of Reactome pathways, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). We performed a drug and disease enrichment analysis and also assessed sex-specific differences in expression patterns. KEY FINDINGS: A clear difference was observed in the transcriptomic profiles of PCC subjects, with 530 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified. Enrichment analysis revealed that the altered pathways were predominantly implicated in cell cycle processes, immune dysregulation and histone modifications. Antioxidant compounds such as hesperitin were predominantly linked to the hub genes of the DEGs. Sex-specific analyses highlighted disparities in DEGs and altered pathways in male and female PCC patients, revealing a difference in the expression of ribosomal proteins. PCC in men was mostly linked to neuro-cardiovascular disorders, while women exhibited more diverse disorders, with a high index of respiratory conditions. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals the intricate molecular processes underlying PCC, highlighting that the differences in molecular dynamics between males and females could be key to understanding and effectively managing the varied symptomatology of this condition.

Platelet-associated biomarkers in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: Insights from a female cohort with obesity.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of noninvasive diagnostic methods for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the severe condition of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Platelet activation, evaluated through certain related parameters, is associated with liver disease and inflammation, but previous results are inconclusive. AIM: To investigate the potential utility of platelet-related indices as noninvasive diagnostic markers for the detection and prediction of MASLD, focusing on NASH. RESULTS: We found that mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT) and platelet distribution width (PDW) were increased in the severe and morbidly obese (SMO) group compared to the normal weight (NW) group. We found decreased levels of MPV in steatosis and NASH patients. MPV and PCT values were decreased in the presence of mild liver inflammation. Platelet count (PLA) and PCT values were lower in the presence of ballooning. We obtained an area under the ROC curve of 0.84 using MPV and three other variables to predict MASLD. CONCLUSIONS: Some platelet-related indices vary depending on liver condition. Here, we reported decreased MPV in MASLD presence. Moreover, we presented for the first time a predictive model using MPV, ALT levels and the presence of diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome to predict MASLD in obese women. Also, MPV is closely related to early liver inflammation in NASH, and PLA and PCT are related to hepatic ballooning. These indices could be widely used for the early detection of NASH since they are usually determined in routine laboratory tests.