Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jun 15, 2024 4 months, 1 week, 3 days, 20 hours, 48 minutes ago
Influenza News: Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease that impacts millions every year. While most people recover within a week or two, the flu can be deadly, especially for vulnerable groups like the elderly, young children, and those with pre-existing health conditions. A recent study by scientists from Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM), Daegu-Republic of Korea that is covered in this
Influenza News report, have shown that obesity not only increases the risk of severe flu symptoms but also affects how the virus spreads and multiplies in the body.
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Certain Fats In Human Blood Could Help The Flu Virus Reproduce And Proliferate
Obesity and Its Impact on Health
Obesity is more than just a cosmetic concern; it significantly affects overall health. It is associated with several chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it became evident that people with obesity faced higher mortality rates from viral infections, including the flu. This is because obesity alters various blood components, including immune cells and lipids, which play a crucial role in the body's defense mechanisms.
The Role of Lipids in Flu Infection
Lipids, commonly known as fats, are essential for various bodily functions, including the structure of cell membranes and energy storage. However, not all lipids are beneficial in all contexts. In patients with obesity, the levels of certain lipids, like lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs), are significantly altered. LPCs are signaling molecules derived from phosphatidylcholines and are found in higher concentrations in obese individuals.
LPCs and Influenza A Virus
Influenza A virus (IAV) is known for causing seasonal flu outbreaks and pandemics. The virus replicates within host cells by hijacking the cellular machinery. Recent research has explored how LPCs affect the replication of IAV in THP-1 macrophages, a type of immune cell. The study revealed that LPCs could enhance the proliferation of IAV, making the infection more severe.
How LPCs Increase Flu Virus Proliferation
Researchers discovered that LPCs decrease the survival rate of cells infected with IAV. When cells were pretreated with LPCs, their viability significantly reduced post-infection, indicating that LPCs made the cells more susceptible to the virus. Additionally, LPCs increased the amount of viral RNA and proteins, suggesting that the virus could replicate more efficiently in the presence of these lipids.
Types of LPCs and Their Effects
LPCs are categorized into saturated and unsaturated types based on their chemical structure. Saturated LPCs, such as LPC16:0 and LPC18:0, were found to have a more pronounced effect on increasing viral gene expression compared to unsaturated LPCs like LPC18:1. This means that certain types of LPCs can make the flu virus more potent, leading to more severe infections.
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Gene Expression Changes Due to LPCs
To understand how LPCs modify the cellular environment to favor virus replication, researchers analyzed changes in gene expression. They found that LPCs significantly altered the expression of over a thousand genes in THP-1 macrophages. Notably, genes involved in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathways were affected. These pathways are crucial for various cellular processes, including cell growth and survival, which the virus exploits to replicate.
Blocking the Pathways
Further experiments showed that inhibiting the MAPK or PI3K pathways reduced the viral gene expression induced by LPCs. This finding suggests that targeting these pathways could be a potential strategy to control flu virus proliferation in individuals with high levels of LPCs, such as those with obesity.
Conclusion
The study highlights a critical link between lipid levels in the blood and the severity of flu infections. By understanding how LPCs facilitate flu virus replication, new therapeutic approaches can be developed to mitigate the impact of the flu, especially in obese patients. As research continues, it becomes increasingly clear that managing lipid levels could play a significant role in controlling viral infections and improving public health outcomes.
Final Thoughts
While the relationship between obesity and severe flu symptoms has been known, this research provides deeper insights into the molecular mechanisms behind it. By focusing on specific lipids like LPCs, scientists can develop more targeted interventions to reduce the severity of flu outbreaks, particularly among high-risk populations. This underscores the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and managing lipid levels to enhance the body's ability to fight off infections.
This research offers a promising avenue for improving flu treatment and prevention strategies, ultimately helping to save lives and reduce the burden of seasonal flu outbreaks.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/12/6538
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Influenza News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/new-breakthrough-in-flu-vaccination-safe-and-effective-sublingual-vaccine-developed
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-gut-molecule-indole-3-propionic-acid-ipa-shows-promise-in-fighting-all-types-of-influenzas
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