COVID-19: A methyl-group assault?
Med Hypotheses
; 149: 110543, 2021 Apr.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1087147
ABSTRACT
The socio-economic implications of COVID-19 are devastating. Considerable morbidity is attributed to 'long-COVID' - an increasingly recognized complication of infection. Its diverse symptoms are reminiscent of vitamin B12 deficiency, a condition in which methylation status is compromised. We suggest why SARS-CoV-2 infection likely leads to increased methyl-group requirements and other disturbances of one-carbon metabolism. We propose these might explain the varied symptoms of long-COVID. Our suggested mechanismmight also apply to similar conditions such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. The hypothesis is evaluable by detailed determination of vitamin B12and folate status, including serum formate as well as homocysteine and methylmalonic acid, and correlation with viral and host RNA methylation and symptomatology. If confirmed, methyl-group support should prove beneficial in such individuals.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Vitamin B 12 Deficiency
/
Folic Acid
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Med Hypotheses
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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