Characterization of serotonin as a candidate biomarker of severity and prognosis of COVID-19 using LC/MS analysis

Kosuke Saito; Rika Ishikawa; Isao Kitamura; Kumiko Ogawa; Noriaki Arakawa; Yuchen Sun; Kazuo Imai; Takuya Maeda; Yoshiro Saito; Chihiro Hasegawa

Journal of Pharmacological Sciences (Oct 2022)

Characterization of serotonin as a candidate biomarker of severity and prognosis of COVID-19 using LC/MS analysis

Kosuke Saito,
Rika Ishikawa,
Isao Kitamura,
Kumiko Ogawa,
Noriaki Arakawa,
Yuchen Sun,
Kazuo Imai,
Takuya Maeda,
Yoshiro Saito,
Chihiro Hasegawa

Affiliations

Kosuke Saito: Division of Medical Safety Science, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kanagawa, Japan
Rika Ishikawa: Division of Medical Safety Science, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kanagawa, Japan
Isao Kitamura: Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nagoya City University East Medical Centre, Nagoya, Japan
Kumiko Ogawa: Division of Pathology, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kanagawa, Japan
Noriaki Arakawa: Division of Medical Safety Science, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kanagawa, Japan
Yuchen Sun: Division of Medical Safety Science, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kanagawa, Japan
Kazuo Imai: Department of Internal Medicine, Self-Defense Forces Central Hospital, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Infectious Disease and Infection Control, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan
Takuya Maeda: Department of Infectious Disease and Infection Control, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan
Yoshiro Saito: Division of Medical Safety Science, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kanagawa, Japan; Corresponding author. Division of Medical Safety Science, National Institute of Health Sciences Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan. fax: +81 44 270 6624.
Chihiro Hasegawa: Department of Infectious Diseases, Nagoya City University East Medical Centre, Nagoya, Japan

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 150, no. 2
pp. 49 – 55

Abstract

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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been associated with high mortality worldwide. Owing to its complicated pathophysiology, diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for effective patient management remain scarce. We analyzed kynurenine, tryptophan, and serotonin levels in the serum of patients with COVID-19 via liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. Serum serotonin levels were decreased in patients with more severe COVID-19, along with increased kynurenine and decreased tryptophan concentrations. Patients with moderate disease who subsequently worsened showed significantly lower serotonin concentrations compared with those who did not experience severe disease. Serum serotonin levels may represent a valuable biomarker for COVID-19 severity and prognosis.

Published in Journal of Pharmacological Sciences

ISSN: 1347-8613 (Print)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Japan
LCC subjects: Medicine: Therapeutics. Pharmacology
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-pharmacological-sciences

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