High Plasma Concentration of Non-Esterified Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Is a Specific Feature of Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia

Background: The pathogenesis of severe COVID-19 is frequently associated with an uncontrolled inflammatory response. Severe forms of COVID-19 appear to be more frequent in obese patients, but an association with metabolic disorders is not established. Here, we focused on lipoprotein metabolism in patients hospitalized for severe pneumonia, depending on COVID-19 status. Methods: Thirty-four non-COVID-19 and 27 COVID-19 patients with severe pneumonia were enrolled. Most of them required intensive care. Plasma lipid levels, lipoprotein metabolism, and clinical and biological features were assessed. Findings: Despite similar initial metabolic comorbidities and respiratory severity, COVID-19 patients displayed a lower acute phase response with higher plasmatic concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs). NEFA profiling was characterised by higher level of polyunsaturated NEFAs (mainly linoleic and arachidonic acids) in COVID-19 patients, suggesting an increase in phospholipase A2 activity. Multivariable analysis showed that among severe pneumonia, COVID-19-associated pneumonia was associated with higher NEFAs, lower apolipoprotein E and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, independently of body mass index, sequential organ failure (SOFA) score, and C-reactive protein levels. Trial Registration: NCT04435223 Funding Statement: This study was supported by grant (MN) from the COVIDOLIP – AOIc2020 (Institutional grant), by the INSERM (Centre de Recherche UMR 1231) and the ANR Investissements d’Avenir Grant (ANR-11 LABX-0021-01, Labex Lipstic). Declaration of Interest: The authors declare no existing conflict of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: The study fulfilled legal and ethics requirements: Approval was obtained from the CPP (Comite de Protection des Personnes SUD MEDITERRANEE V; 2017-A03404-49) for the original study and an amendment was obtained to include supplementary patients with severe COVID-19. All subjects (or their legal representatives) received written information and provided their consent to participate.