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Review
. 2021 Mar;47(2):232-241.
doi: 10.1002/biof.1726. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Long-COVID syndrome-associated brain fog and chemofog: Luteolin to the rescue

Theoharis C Theoharides  1   2   3   4   5 , Christos Cholevas  5 , Konstantinos Polyzoidis  5 , Antonios Politis  6
Affiliations
Review

Long-COVID syndrome-associated brain fog and chemofog: Luteolin to the rescue

Theoharis C Theoharides et al. Biofactors. 2021 Mar.

Abstract

COVID-19 leads to severe respiratory problems, but also to long-COVID syndrome associated primarily with cognitive dysfunction and fatigue. Long-COVID syndrome symptoms, especially brain fog, are similar to those experienced by patients undertaking or following chemotherapy for cancer (chemofog or chemobrain), as well in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) or mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). The pathogenesis of brain fog in these illnesses is presently unknown but may involve neuroinflammation via mast cells stimulated by pathogenic and stress stimuli to release mediators that activate microglia and lead to inflammation in the hypothalamus. These processes could be mitigated by phytosomal formulation (in olive pomace oil) of the natural flavonoid luteolin.

Keywords: COVID-19; brain fog; chemotherapy; coronavirus; cytokines; fatigue; inflammation; mast cells; microglia.

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Conflict of interest statement

Theoharis C. Theoharides is the Scientific Director of and shareholder in Algonot, LLC (Sarasota, FL), which develops and markets flavonoid‐containing dietary supplements. He is also the recipient of US Patent No. 8,268,365, “Anti‐inflammatory compositions for treating brain inflammation.” The other authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Diagrammatic representation of how SARS‐CoV‐2 could stimulate mast cells and microglia in the hypothalamus, inhibited by luteolin. SARS‐CoV‐2 could enter the brain via the olfactory nerve tract reaching the hypothalamus where it could activate brain mast cells and microglia to release pro‐inflammatory molecules, thus contributing to brain inflammation and brain fog. The effect of SARS‐CoV‐2 could be exaggerated by chemotherapy, as well as cytokines and mtDNA, or neuropeptides released under stress (thunderbolt). These processed could contribute to the pathogenesis and symptoms of long‐COVID syndrome and “chomobrain” and could be prevented by the flavonoid luteolin
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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