Treatment of Long Covid Inflammation with Stem Cell Therapy

For some individuals, the impact of COVID-19 infection extends beyond its acute phase; the battle with the virus doesn't end with recovery. They find themselves struggling with a perplexing condition known as Long COVID, or long Covid inflammation. This condition manifests in a range of persistent symptoms, including intense fatigue, shortness of breath, joint pain, and cognitive difficulties. The exact mechanisms causing these symptoms remain not fully understood, but it's believed that abnormal immune responses or lingering viral activity may be involved. Recent evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction may underlie the extreme fatigue and muscle weakness experienced by Long COVID sufferers.

Prevalence and Impact of Long COVID Inflammation

Long COVID inflammation is a significant concern due to its prevalence and wide range impact on patients. According to some sources, approximately 20% of individuals who contract the virus develop the long-haul syndrome, which can persist for an extended period. Symptoms of Long COVID can often be more debilitating than the initial COVID infection itself. Recent studies reveal that up to 30% of Long COVID patients experience signs of persistent inflammation, resulting in ongoing symptoms and a reduced quality of life. There are two subsets of patients with lingering Long Covid inflammation: those primarily experiencing respiratory symptoms and those with multi-organ symptoms. To gauge the severity of symptoms, a clinical activity score has been developed, providing a standardized method for assessing inflammation's impact on Long COVID patients. Potential risk factors for inflammatory Long COVID include obesity, age, gender, type 2 diabetes, EBV reactivation, the presence of specific autoantibodies and pre-existing autoimmune diseases, connective tissue disorders, ADHD, chronic urticaria, and allergic rhinitis. However, it's important to note that a third of people with Long COVID have no identified pre-existing conditions. In response to growing concerns, clinical indicators are being developed to accurately diagnose Long COVID, allowing for more targeted treatment approaches. Overall, the prevalence and impact of Long COVID inflammation highlight the need for continued research and support for affected individuals.

Understanding Long COVID Inflammation

Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection (PASC), is a condition where individuals continue to experience symptoms of COVID-19 long after their initial infection has resolved. Among these symptoms, inflammation plays a significant role in causing ongoing health issues for those suffering from Long COVID. Understanding Long COVID Inflammation is crucial in providing proper care and treatment for individuals facing this persistent condition. In this article, we will delve into the complexity of Long COVID inflammation, its impact on the body, and the current research and insights into managing this aspect of the illness.

Overview of Long COVID Symptoms

Long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection (PASC), is characterized by a range of persistent symptoms that can last for weeks or months after the initial illness. Symptoms of Long COVID include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, muscle aches, shortness of breath, cognitive impairment, dyspnea, anxiety, chest pain, arthralgia, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). This long viral infection can significantly impact various bodily systems, including the respiratory, cardiovascular, central nervous, and gastrointestinal systems.

Respiratory Dysfunction

Respiratory dysfunction may result in persistent shortness of breath and reduced lung function. Some patients experience oxygen levels dropping below 90%, leading to nighttime awakening with breathlessness.

Cardiovascular Complications

Cardiovascular complications can manifest as chest pain and symptoms of POTS, leading to abnormal heart rate and palpitations. Some individuals may develop extremely high blood pressure suddenly, while others are diagnosed with acute myocarditis.

Central Nervous System Involvement

Central nervous system involvement may result in cognitive impairment, including language loss, difficulty completing sentences, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating, often accompanied by brain fog. Headaches, migraines, tinnitus, loss of smell or taste, paresthesia (tingling and numbness), Bell’s palsy, and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) may also occur.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as stomach pain, nausea and diarrhea, may also persist. The reproductive system can be affected, with increased incidence of erectile dysfunction, low sperm count, worsened pre-menstrual syndrome, and irregular menstruation. Additionally, individuals with Long COVID may experience post-exertional malaise (PEM), where physical or mental exertion exacerbates symptoms and leads to a prolonged recovery period, often accompanied by depression.

Recognizing and managing these diverse symptoms is crucial in providing comprehensive care for individuals with Long COVID.

Mechanisms of Persistent Inflammation in Long COVID

The latest publications on the mechanisms of Long COVID suggest multiple overlapping causes. Current hypotheses for its pathogenesis include:

• Persisting Viral Reservoirs: SARS-CoV-2 infection may persist in tissues, contributing to ongoing inflammation.
• Immune Dysregulation: Immune dysregulation, potentially linked to the reactivation of other dormant pathogens like Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), could play a role. Studies have revealed immune dysregulation in Long COVID patients, including reduced numbers of naive T and B cells, decreased CD4+ and CD8+ memory cells, elevated cytokine levels (particularly IL-1β, IL-6, TNF, and IP10), and the presence of autoantibodies targeting connective tissues and immunomodulatory proteins. Reactivated viruses like EBV and HHV-6 have been found in Long COVID patients, leading to mitochondrial fragmentation and energy metabolism issues. Some reports suggest the presence of viral proteins or RNA in various tissues, indicating potential drivers of Long COVID symptoms.
• Impact on the Microbiome: SARS-CoV-2 may affect the microbiome, particularly the virome, leading to microbiota dysbiosis. The gut microbiome composition is significantly altered in Long COVID patients, with specific gut pathogens associated with respiratory and neurological symptoms. The transfer of gut bacteria from Long COVID patients to healthy mice induced cognitive function loss and lung defense impairment in the mice.
• Microvascular Blood Clotting: Microvascular blood clotting could contribute to tissue damage and inflammation. Endothelial dysfunction, increased risk of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism due to microclots, and a reduction in small capillary density have been observed in Long COVID patients. Long-term data from the US Department of Veterans Affairs databases revealed an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure and stroke, one year after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cardiac MRI studies have shown cardiac impairment in a significant percentage of Long COVID patients.
• Neuroinflammation and Dysfunctional Signaling in the Brainstem and Vagus Nerve: Neurological and cognitive symptoms are common in Long COVID, with cognitive impairments comparable in magnitude to ten years of cognitive aging. Dysfunction in brainstem and vagus nerve signaling may play a role. Neuroinflammation, coagulopathy, endothelial dysfunction, neuronal damage, and the presence of amyloid-like clumps and myelin loss have been observed as well. Low cortisol levels were measured in Long COVID patients, indicating potential dysfunction in the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis due to neuroinflammation. Mitochondrial dysfunction is also found in Long COVID patients, contributing to exercise intolerance and impaired oxygen extraction.
• Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Lower mitochondrial density and dysfunction have been observed in Long COVID patients, contributing to muscle pain, exercise intolerance and impaired oxygen extraction.
• Reproductive System: Long COVID can impact the reproductive system, leading to irregular menstrual cycles, increased premenstrual symptoms, and erectile dysfunction. Reduced ovarian reserve and endocrine disorders have been observed, likely due to the abundance of ACE2 receptors in ovarian and endometrial tissues. Low sperm count, semen volume, motility, sperm morphology, and sperm concentration have been reported in Long COVID patients, possibly correlating with elevated cytokine levels and the presence of caspase 8, caspase 9, and caspase 3 in seminal fluid.
• Respiratory System: Shortness of breath and cough are common symptoms, with imaging studies revealing lung abnormalities such as air trapping and perfusion issues.
• Gastrointestinal System: The gut microbiome composition is significantly altered in Long COVID patients, with specific gut pathogens associated with respiratory and neurological symptoms. The transfer of gut bacteria from Long COVID patients to healthy mice induced cognitive function loss and lung defense impairment in the mice.

These mechanistic studies are still in the early stages, with many questions remaining. Interestingly, Long COVID shares mechanistic characteristics with postinfectious illnesses such as Myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and neuropathy caused by other viral and bacterial infections. Emerging evidence suggests commonalities in pathogenesis.

Timelines: Neurological symptoms typically appear weeks after infection, worsening over time and persisting. Gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms usually improve over time, although few instances of full Long COVID recovery have been reported in the literature.

Diagnostic Tools for Long COVID Assessment

Based on the above description, several diagnostic tools can be used to assess Long COVID. These include tilt table tests for POTS and MRI scans to detect cardiovascular impairment. Further diagnostic tools for Long COVID, including microclot detection and hyperpolarized MRI for pulmonary gas exchange abnormalities, are in development. It's essential to note that many standard tests for Long COVID patients often yield normal results apart from elevated inflammation markers. Some researchers are exploring specific inflammatory markers as well as biomarkers of cytotoxicity. Interestingly, there are indications that dogs can identify Long COVID patients from their sweat samples, suggesting potential biomarkers for diagnosis. Developing and validating biomarkers will be extremely useful for Long COVID patients, helping with both diagnosis and treatment.

Potential Treatments for Long COVID Inflammation

While there are no broadly accepted effective treatments for Long COVID, ongoing studies and clinical trials are under way to address some of the inflammatory response. Already several components can be addressed efficiently with existing protocols. These include symptom-specific pharmacological options, such as β-blockers for POTS, low-dose naltrexone for neuroinflammation, and intravenous immunoglobulin for immune dysfunction. H1 and H2 antihistamines are used to alleviate some symptoms, and anticoagulant regimens address abnormal clotting. Coenzyme Q10 and d-ribose may help treat Long COVID and ME/CFS.

Apheresis

Apheresis has shown promise in alleviating Long COVID symptoms by removing microclots and reducing autoantibodies.

Ozone Treatment

Ozone treatment stimulates mitochondria and increases energy production at the cellular level, helping Long COVID patients recover.

NAD+ IVs, Methylene Blue IVs, and Sodium Ascorbate

These treatments support mitochondrial health and density in Long COVID patients.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy saturates the body with oxygen, helping repair tissues starved of oxygen due to blocked microcapillaries.

Pluripotent Stem Cells in the Treatment of Long COVID

Pluripotent stem cells offer a comprehensive solution for addressing the multifaceted issues identified in Long COVID inflammation. Over 15 years of experience in treating chronic inflammation like in chronic Lyme disease, lingering EBV infection, and two years with Long COVID Inflammation has demonstrated the power of pluripotent stem cells in helping patients with chronic infections. Hundreds of cases show that symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, neuropathy, and more can be reversed with Stemaid’s pluripotent stem cells and their exosomes. Their ability to balance the immune system helps normalize T cells, cytokines, and other markers. Pluripotent stem cells also quickly accelerate cardiovascular repair and angiogenesis, addressing endothelial lining issues. Evidence also suggests improvements in the reproductive system, with balanced endocrine function and the return of normal menstruation and erectile functions.

In summary, pluripotent stem cells offer a promising approach for managing Long COVID inflammation, addressing the diverse range of symptoms and underlying mechanisms. Continued research and exploration of pluripotent stem cell therapy are crucial for improving the quality of life for individuals living with Long COVID.