The Serum Metabolome of Moderate and Severe COVID-19 Patients Reflects Possible Liver Alterations Involving Carbon and Nitrogen Metabolism

COVID-19 is a global threat that has spread since the end of 2019, causing severe clinical sequelae and deaths, in the context of a world pandemic. The infection of the highly pathogenetic and infectious SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has been proven to exert systemic effects impacting the metabolism. Yet, the metabolic pathways involved in the pathophysiology and progression of COVID-19 are still unclear. Here, we present the results of a mass spectrometry-based targeted metabolomic analysis on a cohort of 52 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, classified according to disease severity as mild, moderate, and severe. Our analysis defines a clear signature of COVID-19 that includes increased serum levels of lactic acid in all the forms of the disease. Pathway analysis revealed dysregulation of energy production and amino acid metabolism. Globally, the variations found in the serum metabolome of COVID-19 patients may reflect a more complex systemic perturbation induced by SARS-CoV-2, possibly affecting carbon and nitrogen liver metabolism.

Automated summary

The study conducted a mass spectrometry-based targeted metabolomic analysis on 52 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, revealing distinct changes in serum metabolites levels, particularly increased levels of lactic acid in all forms of the disease. Pathway analysis indicated dysregulation in energy production and amino acid metabolism. Overall, the variations in the serum metabolome of COVID-19 patients suggest a systemic perturbation induced by SARS-CoV-2, potentially affecting liver metabolism of carbon and nitrogen.