GeneSoc Alumni Help Uncover Potential of Long Chain PUFAs to Battle COVID-19

Recently this year, four Genesoc alumni, John Dane Valdez (Allosyndesis), Rosel Francheska De Grano (Polyplex), John Nicolas Olitin (Isochore), and Leodevico Ilag (Charter), together with Joan Christine Adajar-Deriquito, Princess Imee Dellosa, Jimwel Bryan Cristopher Ferrer published their scientific paper entitled “Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Their Role in COVID-19 associated Inflammation and Dysbiosis” in SciEnggJ, the official journal of the Philippine-American Academy of Science & Technology. They hypothesized that long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) control COVID-19 inflammation by regulating the human microbiome.

Their study highlighted that COVID-19-related deaths are primarily caused by excessive immune response often leading to a cytokine storm.  Omega-3 fatty acids have the potential to regulate this imbalance in the body. Particularly, Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), found in these fatty acids, can serve as precursors to anti-inflammatory compounds, which in turn reduce the production of pro-inflammatory molecules and lower the risk of uncontrolled immune response to the infecting virus SARS-CoV-2. Consequently, omega-3 fatty acids support the human microbiota which helps the body fight infections better. Therefore, people who have recovered from COVID-19 may benefit from Omega-3 supplements with a reduced risk for cardiovascular diseases after infection.

Moreover, they hypothesized that by modulating the microbiome using polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), COVID-19 complications could be prevented, and taking Omega-3 PUFA supplements may reduce the chance of developing ‘long COVID’.  This hypothesis aligns with previous findings on the role of PUFAs and the microbiome in managing immune responses thereby suggesting that a general model based on PUFAs and the microbiome could be applied to other inflammatory diseases as well.

This major feat presents an avenue for potential COVID-19 therapies. Omega-3 fatty acids appear to play a pivotal role in regulating the immune response, potentially preventing severe outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Moreover, these findings could advance our understanding of inflammation due to COVID-19 and the possible management of these symptoms.