Metabolomic pattern associated with physical sequelae in patients presenting with respiratory symptoms validates the aestivation concept in dehydrated patients.

BACKGROUND: Hypertonic dehydration is associated with muscle wasting and synthesis of organic osmolytes. We recently showed a metabolic shift to amino acid production and urea cycle activation in COVID-19, consistent with the aestivation response. The aim of the present investigation was to validate the metabolic shift and development of long-term physical outcome in the non-COVID cohort of the Biobanque Québécoise de la COVID-19 (BQC19).

METHODS: We included 824 patients from BQC19, where of 571 patients had data of dehydration in the form of estimated osmolality (eOSM = 2Na+2K+glucose+urea), and 284 patients had metabolome data and long-term follow-up. We correlated the degree of dehydration to mortality, invasive mechanical ventilation, acute kidney injury, and long-term symptoms.

RESULTS: As found in the COVID cohort, higher eOSM correlated with higher proportion of urea and glucose of total eOSM and an enrichment of amino acids compared to other metabolites. Sex stratified analysis indicated that women may show a weaker aestivation response. More severe dehydration was associated with mortality, invasive mechanical ventilation, and acute kidney injury during the acute illness. Importantly, more severe dehydration was associated with physical long-term symptoms but not mental long-term symptoms after adjustment for age, sex, and disease severity.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with water deficit in the form of increased eOSM tend to have more severe disease and experience more physical symptoms after an acute episode of care. This is associated with amino acid and urea production indicating dehydration induced muscle wasting.