P276 - COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PUFA COMPOSITION IN LUNG TISSUE BETWEEN COVID-19 PATIENTS AND HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS

P276

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PUFA COMPOSITION IN LUNG TISSUE BETWEEN COVID-19 PATIENTS AND HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS

Z. Zadák¹, M. Vecka^2,3, M. Burda⁴, P. Hejna⁵, R. Hyšpler⁶, A. Žák², P. Skořepa^1,7,*

¹3rd Department of Internal Medicine-Metabolic Care and Gerontology, University Hospital Hradec Kralove and Charles University, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, ²4th Department of Internal Medicine, ³Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital in Prague, Charles University, Prague, ⁴Institute for Research and Applications of Fuzzy Modeling, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, ⁵Department of Forensic Medicine, ⁶Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostics, University Hospital Hradec Kralove and Charles University, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, ⁷Deparment of Military Internal Medicine and Military Hygiene, University of Defence, Military faculty of Medicine, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic

Rationale: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in lung tissue are involved in regulating inflammation and immune responses. Changes in PUFA composition may contribute to the severity of diseases such as COVID-19. This study compares the PUFA profile in lung tissue from COVID-19 patients and healthy individuals.

Methods: We quantified PUFA composition in lung tissue of 10 individuals who died from COVID-19 and 14 patients who died from other causes (e.g., accidents, injuries). Tissue samples were collected post-mortem. Lipids were extracted, hydrolyzed, methylated, and analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. PUFA content was expressed as absolute concentrations (mg per g of tissue).

Results: Linoleic acid (18:2n-6) had values of 1.850 (1.583 – 2.132) in COVID-19 patients and 0.395 (0.164 – 0.597) in healthy individuals (p < 0.0001). Arachidonic acid (20:4n-6alc) showed values of 0.144 (0.125 – 0.391) in COVID-19 patients and 0.309 (0.128 – 0.466) in healthy individuals (NS). For omega-3 PUFAs, alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n-3alc) showed values of 0.006 (0.005 – 0.071) in COVID-19 patients and 0.054 (0.021 – 0.079) in healthy individuals (NS), while eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3alc) had values of 0.366 (0.330 – 0.424) in COVID-19 patients and 0.018 (0.007 – 0.026) in healthy individuals (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: This study reveals significant differences in omega-6 and omega-3 PUFA distribution in lung tissue between individuals who died from COVID-19 and healthy individuals. The observed differences in key PUFAs suggest metabolic shifts in severe COVID-19 that could influence lung inflammation and immune responses. These findings may have clinical implications, suggesting PUFA modulation as a strategy to reduce inflammation and improve outcomes in severe COVID-19 cases.

References: Supported by MH CZ – DRO (UHHK, 00179906).

Disclosure of Interest: None declared