Metallomic and Untargeted Metabolomic Signatures of Human Milk from SARS-CoV-2 Positive Mothers.

SCOPE: Lack of information about the impact of maternal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on the elemental and metabolomic profile of human milk (HM). METHODS AND RESULTS: An observational study on HM from mothers with COVID-19 is conducted including a prepandemic control group. Maternal-infant clinical records and symptomatology are recorded. The absolute quantification of elements and untargeted relative metabolomic profiles are determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, respectively. Associations of HM SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with elemental and metabolomic profiles are studied. COVID-19 has a significant impact on HM composition. COVID-19 reduces the concentrations of Fe, Cu, Se, Ni, V, and Aluminium (Al) and increases Zn compared to prepandemic control samples. A total of 18 individual metabolites including amino acids, peptides, fatty acids and conjugates, purines and derivatives, alcohols, and polyols are significantly different in HM from SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers. Aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylalanine, and linoleic acid pathways are significantly altered. Differences are obtained depending on COVID-19 symptomatic and asymptomatic status. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides unique insights about the impact of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on the elemental and metabolomic profiles of HM that warrants further research due the potential implications for infant health.

A Review of Sensors and Biosensors Modified with Conducting Polymers and Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Used in Electrochemical Detection of Amino Acids: Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, and Tryptophan.

Recently, the studies on developing sensors and biosensors-with an obvious interdisciplinary character-have drawn the attention of many researchers specializing in various fundamental, but also complex domains such as chemistry, biochemistry, physics, biophysics, biology, bio-pharma-medicine, and bioengineering. Along these lines, the present paper is structured into three parts, and is aimed at synthesizing the most relevant studies on the construction and functioning of versatile devices, of electrochemical sensors and biosensors, respectively. The first part presents examples of the most representative scientific research focusing on the role and the importance of the phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan amino acids, selected depending on their chemical structure and their impact on the central nervous system. The second part is dedicated to presenting and exemplifying conductor polymers and molecularly imprinted polymers used as sensitive materials in achieving electrochemical sensors and biosensors. The last part of the review analyzes the sensors and biosensors developed so far to detect amino acids with the aid of conductor polymers and molecularly imprinted polymers from the point of view of the performances obtained, with emphasis on the detection methods, on the electrochemical reactions that take place upon detection, and on the electroanalytical performances. The present study was carried out with a view to highlighting, for the benefit of specialists in medicine and pharmacy, the possibility of achieving and purchasing efficient devices that might be used in the quality control of medicines, as well as in studying and monitoring diseases associated with these amino acids.

Could metabolomics drive the fate of COVID-19 pandemic? A narrative review on lights and shadows.

Human Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection activates a complex interaction host/virus, leading to the reprogramming of the host metabolism aimed at the energy supply for viral replication. Alterations of the host metabolic homeostasis strongly influence the immune response to SARS-CoV-2, forming the basis of a wide range of outcomes, from the asymptomatic infection to the onset of COVID-19 and up to life-threatening acute respiratory distress syndrome, vascular dysfunction, multiple organ failure, and death. Deciphering the molecular mechanisms associated with the individual susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection calls for a system biology approach; this strategy can address multiple goals, including which patients will respond effectively to the therapeutic treatment. The power of metabolomics lies in the ability to recognize endogenous and exogenous metabolites within a biological sample, measuring their concentration, and identifying perturbations of biochemical pathways associated with qualitative and quantitative metabolic changes. Over the last year, a limited number of metabolomics- and lipidomics-based clinical studies in COVID-19 patients have been published and are discussed in this review. Remarkable alterations in the lipid and amino acid metabolism depict the molecular phenotype of subjects infected by SARS-CoV-2; notably, structural and functional data on the lipids-virus interaction may open new perspectives on targeted therapeutic interventions. Several limitations affect most metabolomics-based studies, slowing the routine application of metabolomics. However, moving metabolomics from bench to bedside cannot imply the mere determination of a given metabolite panel; rather, slotting metabolomics into clinical practice requires the conversion of metabolic patient-specific data into actionable clinical applications.