TY - JOUR
T1 - Caspases and brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels and their Correlations with Psychiatric Symptoms in post-COVID-19
AU - Broseghini, Lia D.R.
AU - Arent, Camila O.
AU - Pedro, Lucas C.
AU - dos Santos, Laísa N.
AU - Niero, Flávia S.
AU - Mondo, Gabriel S.
AU - Bertollo, Amanda G.
AU - Mingoti, Maiqueli Eduarda D.
AU - Mathias, Khyani
AU - Danielski, Lucineia G.
AU - Barichello, Tatiana
AU - Quevedo, João
AU - Ceretta, Luciane B.
AU - Ignácio, Zuleide Maria
AU - Petronilho, Fabricia
AU - Réus, Gislaine Z.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.
PY - 2025/10
Y1 - 2025/10
N2 - The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought significant challenges to global health, not only due to respiratory symptoms but also due to its impact on psychiatric disorders. Understanding the biological mechanisms underlying psychiatric manifestations in individuals with COVID-19 is crucial. This study aimed to investigate potential alterations in caspase 3 and 8 levels, as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, in individuals with COVID-19. The association of these markers with mental health was also assessed. A cross-sectional study was conducted, including individuals with COVID-19 and those without the disease. The stress levels were higher in individuals with COVID-19. Caspase 3 and 8 and BDNF levels were increased in individuals with COVID-19 compared to individuals without COVID-19. No significant differences were found in caspase 3 and 8 and BDNF levels between moderate/severe and asymptomatic/mild symptoms of COVID-19. The results indicate that no significant differences were observed between the diagnosis of anxiety disorders and the levels of markers. However, higher caspase 3 levels in individuals without anxiety and COVID-19 were found. No significant associations between the diagnosis of major depressive disorder or psychiatric symptoms and caspase 3, caspase 8, and BDNF levels were found. The results indicate that, although caspase 3, caspase 8, and BDNF levels are increased in individuals with COVID-19, these elevations are not associated with the severity of COVID-19 symptoms or psychiatric conditions and symptoms in post-COVID-19. These findings suggest that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may influence cellular activity and neurotrophic markers, but that other factors likely contribute to psychiatric disorders.
AB - The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought significant challenges to global health, not only due to respiratory symptoms but also due to its impact on psychiatric disorders. Understanding the biological mechanisms underlying psychiatric manifestations in individuals with COVID-19 is crucial. This study aimed to investigate potential alterations in caspase 3 and 8 levels, as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, in individuals with COVID-19. The association of these markers with mental health was also assessed. A cross-sectional study was conducted, including individuals with COVID-19 and those without the disease. The stress levels were higher in individuals with COVID-19. Caspase 3 and 8 and BDNF levels were increased in individuals with COVID-19 compared to individuals without COVID-19. No significant differences were found in caspase 3 and 8 and BDNF levels between moderate/severe and asymptomatic/mild symptoms of COVID-19. The results indicate that no significant differences were observed between the diagnosis of anxiety disorders and the levels of markers. However, higher caspase 3 levels in individuals without anxiety and COVID-19 were found. No significant associations between the diagnosis of major depressive disorder or psychiatric symptoms and caspase 3, caspase 8, and BDNF levels were found. The results indicate that, although caspase 3, caspase 8, and BDNF levels are increased in individuals with COVID-19, these elevations are not associated with the severity of COVID-19 symptoms or psychiatric conditions and symptoms in post-COVID-19. These findings suggest that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may influence cellular activity and neurotrophic markers, but that other factors likely contribute to psychiatric disorders.
KW - Brain-derived neurotrophic factor
KW - Caspase-3
KW - Caspase-8
KW - COVID-19
KW - Major depressive disorder
KW - Psychiatric disorders
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105018277128
UR - https://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=105018277128&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s12640-025-00757-z
DO - 10.1007/s12640-025-00757-z
M3 - Article
C2 - 41065999
AN - SCOPUS:105018277128
SN - 1029-8428
VL - 43
JO - Neurotoxicity Research
JF - Neurotoxicity Research
IS - 5
M1 - 39
ER -