Spa Rehabilitation, Antioxidant and Bioenergetic Supportive Treatment of Patients With Post-Covid-19 Syndrome (SpaCOVID)

Spa Rehabilitation, Antioxidant and Bioenergetic Supportive Treatment of Patients With Post-Covid-19 Syndrome

Spa Rehabilitation, Antioxidant and Bioenergetic Supportive Treatment of Patients With Post-Covid-19 Syndrome

Our hypothesis - that 21 days of mountain spa rehabilitation with ubiquinol supplementation could to accelerate regeneration of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome, based on the improving platelet mitochondrial bioenergetic, decreasing of oxidative stress and improving of antioxidants protections of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome.

The first new coronavirus originated from southeast China in 2003 (SARS - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), and the second was originated from Middle East in 2012 (MERS - Middle East Respiratory Syndrome). In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 beta-coronavirus responsible for a new type of acute respiratory infection and atypical pneumonia. Persisting signs or symptoms over 12 weeks after the SARS-CoV-2 infection, are defined as post-COVID-19 syndrome. The main symptoms include shortness of breath, general fatigue, exhaustion, headaches, muscle and joint pain, cough, hair, taste and smell loss, sleep and memory disturbances, depression, sensitivity to sound and light. SARS-CoV-2 viral infection occurs with higher incidence in patients with comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus Type 2, obesity, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease and cancer. In aged individuals immune system and mitochondrial dysfunction are a key factors in COVID-19 disease. Mechanical oxygen saturation is required primarily in patients with comorbidities and post-hospitalization pulmonary rehabilitation may be considered in all patients with COVID-19. Many viruses modulate mitochondrial function, producing more reactive oxygen species, (ROS), cytokine storm, and stimulate inflammation. The investigators published the hypothesis that a target of the new SARS-CoV-2 virus could be mitochondrial bioenergetics and endogenous coenzyme Q10 level. Currently our question was partially answered by authors, who showed reduced mitochondrial bioenergetics in monocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with COVID-19, and the investigators found reduced platelet mitochondrial function in non-hospitalized patients after acute COVID-19 . In the last years isolated platelets from circulating blood are used for estimation of mitochondrial bioenergetics in various diseases, as in patients with chronic kidney diseases, in patients after kidney transplantation, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on platelet mitochondrial function in patients non-vaccinated, hospitalized after infection of SARS-CoV-2 (with post-COVID-19 syndrome), as well as effect of mountain spa rehabilitation on platelet mitochondrial function of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome has not been published. Mountain spa rehabilitation (MR) is beneficial for chronic pulmonary diseases, improving fatique, joint pain, psychological stress, sleep disorders and quality of life in patients with various diseases. The investigators assume that special spa rehabilitation in the mountain High Tatras may regenerate impaired mitochondrial metabolism of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome, can improve physical and mental activity, immunity, reduce oxidative stress and contribute to the acceleration of recovery of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Mountain spa rehabilitation, post-COVID-19 syndrome, SARS-CoV-2, pulmonary function, clinical symptoms, platelet mitochondrial metabolism, coenzyme Q10, oxidative stress

patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome with Mountain spa rehabilitation: 15 patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome, 3-6 months after hospitalization were on Mountain spa rehabilitation (MR) in High Tatras, Tatranská Polianka, Slovakia, for 16 to 18 days

patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome with Mountain spa rehabilitation: 22 patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome, 3-6 months after hospitalization were on Mountain spa rehabilitation (MR) in High Tatras, Tatranská Polianka, Slovakia, 22 patients who will be on spa rehabilitation and at the same time on supplementation with ubiquinol (reduced coenzyme Q10), in a daily dose of 2x100 mg, for 16 to 18 days

supplementation with ubiquinol (reduced coenzyme Q10), in a daily dose of 2x100 mg. one morning after breakfast, and second dose after dinner.

special spa rehabilitation in the mountain High Tatras; Functional capacity of the lungs (6MWT) at before and after 16-18 days of rehabilitation, Borg scale for dyspnea and oxygen saturation SpO2 (%) were monitored.

2x14 ml of peripheral blood collected in a tube with anticoagulant- two collections before and after Mountain spa rehabilitation Blood count WBC (10to9/L) RBC (10to9/L) HCT (ratio) PLT (10to9/L) MCV (fL) MCH (pg) MCHC (g/L) HgB (g/L) Lipids parameters CHOL (mmol/L) HDL-CH (mmol/L) LDL-CH (mmol/L) TAG (mmol/L) CRP (mg/L)

Effect of MR on lungs function Functional capacity of the lungs- walking distance during the 6MWT (m) Exercise dyspnea measured by Borg scale BS (number) Oxygen saturation SpO2 (%)

Dry cough Breathing Breathing difficulty Shortness of breath in rest Elevated temperature Chills Heart palpitations Respiratory support with Q2 Weakness Overall fatigue Malaise GIT problems Diarrhea Chest pain Muscle and joint pain Back pain Headache Loss of taste and smell Weight loss Hearing impairment Visual disturbance

Basal oxygen consumption rate in intact platelets (ce) rate of mitochondrial LEAK respiration with CI-linked substrates (1PM - state 4) CI-linked respiration coupled with ATP production (2D- CI-linked oxidative phosphorylation capacity) respiration after addition of cytochrome c (2c) Maximal mitochondrial oxidative capacity (the electron transfer capacity, ET) after uncoupler titration (3U) After addition of exogenous substrate glutamate (4G) non-coupled mitochondrial oxygen consumption Non-coupled oxygen consumption with CI&II-linked substrates (5S) mean of improvement of mitochondrial parameters representing OXPHOS- and electron transport capacity (ET-capacity)

Endogenous concentration of CoQ10-TOTAL (ubiquinone + ubiquinol) in platelets CoQ10-TOTAL in: Platelets (pmol.10-9 cells) Blood (µmol.L-1) Plasma (µmol.L-1) TBARS in plasma (µmol.L-1)

Inclusion Criteria: patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome, 3-6 months after hospitalization Exclusion Criteria: no COVID-19 patients

Pharmacobiochemical Laboratory of Third Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Comenius University in Bratislava

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