COVID-19 and hyperammonemia: Potential interplay between liver and brain dysfunctions

Larissa Daniele Bobermin; André Quincozes-Santos

doi:10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100257

COVID-19 and hyperammonemia: Potential interplay between liver and brain dysfunctions

Brain Behav Immun Health. 2021 Jul:14:100257. doi: 10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100257. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Authors

Larissa Daniele Bobermin¹, André Quincozes-Santos^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
² Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Abstract

Although COVID-19 affects the respiratory system, extrapulmonary manifestations frequently occur, including encephalopathy and liver damage. Here, we want to call attention to a possible connection between liver and brain dysfunctions, in which ammonia can play a role targeting astrocytes. Importantly, astrocyte dysfunction can produce future and/or long-term neurological consequences.

Keywords: Ammonia; Astrocytes; Brain dysfunction; COVID-19; Liver dysfunction.

Publication types

Review