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A new study reveals relevant muscular and metabolic alterations in patients with long COVID

A research team from the Research Group on Autoimmunity, Infection and Thrombosis (GRAIÏT) at the Southern Catalonia Biomedical Research Institute (formerly IISPV), from at the same time of the Internal Medicine and Clinical Physiology and Functional Evaluation services at the Sant Joan University Hospital in Reus, part of the has presented new evidence confirming the deep and lasting impact of SARS‑CoV‑2 infection on the muscular and metabolic systems of individuals affected by Post‑COVID‑19 Condition (long COVID). The results of the study “Assessment of Physical Status and Analysis of Lipidomic and Metabolomic Alterations in Patients with Post‑COVID‑19 Condition” highlight the need to promote specific rehabilitation and physical reconditioning programs to improve patient recovery, and have been published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE this March.

The study reveals significant peripheral muscle involvement related to the infection. This alteration leads to a marked loss of physical performance, one of the most frequent and disabling symptoms of the condition. The researchers emphasize that patients may benefit from personalized rehabilitation protocols to regain strength, endurance, and functionality.

Additionally, through the analysis of body metabolism using metabolomic and lipidomic techniques, they detected changes that may explain some of the patients’ symptoms:

According to the study’s authors, these findings reinforce the idea that Post‑COVID‑19 Condition is a multisystemic disorder requiring an integrated approach combining physical rehabilitation, metabolic monitoring, and personalized interventions.

The researchers note that the results open the door to developing more specific therapeutic strategies and to better guiding care pathways for patients with long COVID.

A study led by URV, with the participation of IRB CatSud and CIBERobn, reveals that the gut microbiota could explain the beneficial effect of diet on depression

The link between diet and mental health is becoming increasingly evident, although the biological mechanisms that explain this relationship are not yet fully defined. A new study now points to the gut microbiota as a key piece in this puzzle. The research, led by Rovira i Virgili University (URV), examined whether different dietary patterns are associated with specific profiles of gut microorganisms, and whether these profiles are, in turn, related to depressive symptoms. The journal MedComm has published the results of the study, which also involved the Institut de Recerca Biomèdica CatSud (IRB CatSud) and the Obesity Physiopathology Area of the CIBER network (CIBEROBN).

The study analyzed 644 older adults participating in the PREDIMED-Plus trial, all of whom had overweight or obesity and metabolic syndrome. The research team assessed their dietary habits, the composition of their gut microbiota using fecal samples, and the evolution of their depressive symptoms after one year of follow‑up. The aim was to explore whether the gut could act as a biological bridge between diet and mental health.

“We already knew that a higher‑quality diet is associated with better mental health, but the mechanisms were still unclear. Our results suggest that gut microbiota could be part of this explanation,” says Jordi Salas‑Salvadó, Professor of Human Nutrition at URV and coordinator of the study.

The researchers compared several dietary patterns that reflect common ways of eating. Four were considered higher‑quality patterns: the Mediterranean diet (standard version), the Mediterranean diet with an energy‑reduced approach, the DASH pattern—based on fresh, minimally processed foods and aimed at improving blood pressure—and a healthy plant‑based diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains. Two lower‑quality patterns were also examined: an unhealthy plant‑based diet high in refined flours, sugary drinks and snacks, and a Western‑style diet characterized by more ultra‑processed foods, processed meats, sweets and low‑quality fats, along with a lower intake of fresh, fiber‑rich foods.

The results showed that individuals who more closely adhered to high‑quality dietary patterns tended to develop fewer depressive symptoms throughout the year. In contrast, greater adherence to lower‑quality patterns was associated with a less favorable evolution, with more depressive symptoms emerging.

The study also observed that diet leaves a measurable imprint on the gut. Healthier dietary patterns—especially the Mediterranean ones—were associated with a richer and more diverse microbiota, whereas lower‑quality patterns were linked to reduced microbial diversity. This is relevant because microbial diversity is often considered a marker of resilience and good functioning of the gut ecosystem.

Gut microbiota as a key mediator between diet and depression

The most innovative finding emerged when assessing whether gut microbiota could be involved in the link between diet and depression. The researchers found evidence that the gut microbiota may explain part of the observed effect of the Mediterranean diet on depressive symptoms—about 17% in the energy‑reduced version and around 31% in the standard version. In other words, part of the benefit associated with a Mediterranean dietary pattern may be related to the way this diet supports a healthier microbial profile.

“This study provides evidence that the profile of gut microorganisms may act as a mediator in the relationship between the Mediterranean diet and depressive symptoms. It is an important step toward understanding why some dietary patterns appear to be more protective than others, although further research is needed to confirm causality,” explains Adrián Hernández‑Cacho, the study’s lead author.

Taken together, the findings reinforce the relevance of the gut–brain axis and offer a plausible explanation for why improving diet quality may also benefit mental health. The authors highlight that this is one of the first international studies to provide evidence of a potential mediating role of gut microbiota in the relationship between dietary patterns and depressive symptoms, adding an essential piece to a rapidly evolving field. Still, the results do not yet establish a cause‑and‑effect relationship, and further studies in other populations and with more robust designs will be required to confirm these findings.

This multicenter study was led by Adrián Hernández‑Cacho and supervised by researchers Jordi Salas‑Salvadó and Jesús García‑Gavilán, all members of the Human Nutrition Unit within the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology at Rovira i Virgili University, in collaboration with other researchers from the PREDIMED‑Plus consortium. The team also belongs to the Biomedical Research Networking Center for the Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN) and the Institut de Recerca Biomèdica CatSud (IRB CatSud).

Reference: A. Hernández‑Cacho, J. Ni, J.F. García‑Gavilán, et al. “The Gut Microbiota as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Dietary Patterns and Depression.” MedComm 7, no. 2 (2026): e70562. https://doi.org/10.1002/mco2.70562

Schizophrenia is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder in which genetics plays a key role. A recent study focuses on the so‑called copy number variants, which are DNA fragments that, instead of having the usual amount, show duplications or — most relevant in this case — losses of genetic material.

A team of researchers from the Hospital Universitari Institut Pere Mata (HUIPM), the Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Catalunya Sud (IRB CatSud), and Rovira i Virgili University (URV) has led a study that sheds new light on why schizophrenia may appear earlier in some individuals than in others. The research, published in the scientific journal Schizophrenia Research, indicates that the loss of genetic material may influence the age at which the disorder manifests.

The study analyzes 836 participants — 323 with schizophrenia and 513 without — and focuses on a type of DNA alteration that includes small losses of genetic material. The findings emphasize that it is specifically these losses — and not duplications — that are linked to an earlier onset of the disease. Such losses can advance the onset of schizophrenia and are not harmless, as they may eliminate entire genes or regulatory elements that control how these genes function, potentially disrupting the balance required for proper brain development.

Researchers observed that people with schizophrenia show a higher overall burden of variations in DNA fragment quantity compared with healthy participants. This result reinforces the idea that structural alterations across our entire DNA play an important role in the development of the disorder.

Losses of genetic material are associated with an earlier onset. One of the key findings of the study is that the number of missing DNA fragments is related to the age at which schizophrenia begins. “Specifically, individuals with a greater lack of DNA fragments tend to develop symptoms earlier, while patients with later onset present levels similar to those of people without the disorder. This suggests that, beyond whether someone will develop schizophrenia, the total amount of copy number alterations could influence the age of onset,” explains the study’s lead researcher, Gerard Muntané.

Although each individual variation has a modest effect, the cumulative impact may influence the onset of the disease at the population level. The authors emphasize the need for larger and more diverse samples to confirm these results and to better understand the biological mechanisms involved in schizophrenia. This would allow earlier identification of patients at higher risk of early onset and guide strategies for early detection and personalized intervention.

Article reference

Muntané, G., Valle, A., Ramon-Cañellas, P., Martorell, L., & Vilella, E. (2026). The impact of CNV burden on age at onset of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Research, 291, 12–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2026.02.006

A study by IRB Catalunya Sud (formerly IISPV) and Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII de Tarragona has discovered that these vesicles act differently depending on tumour aggressiveness, opening new possibilities for future therapeutic strategies.

Prostate cancer is the most common tumour in men in many Western countries. In the Tarragona region, nearly 670 new cases are diagnosed each year, and the number exceeds 30,000 at the national level. Although many tumours grow slowly, others can progress and spread, so understanding the factors that drive this aggressiveness is essential to improve patient outcomes.

In this context, researchers from the Grup de Recerca en Biomarcadors de Malalties i Mecanismes Moleculars (DIBIOMEC) at the Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Catalunya Sud (IRB Catalunya Sud, formerly IISPV), in collaboration with the Urology and Pathology Departments of Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII de Tarragona, have made an important step forward. Their recently published study shows for the first time that extracellular vesicles (small particles released by cells) from the adipose tissue surrounding the prostate (periprostatic adipose tissue, PPAT) modulate the behaviour of tumour cells differently depending on cancer risk level.

The research, led by Dra. Matilde R. Chacón and Dr. Xavier Ruiz-Plazas, and carried out by a multidisciplinary team, provides a new perspective on how the tumour microenvironment — particularly periprostatic fat — “communicates” with cancer and influences its evolution.

Main findings

First, the study reveals risk‑dependent effects. Vesicles from periprostatic adipose tissue of patients with low‑risk prostate cancer mainly stimulate tumour cell proliferation. In contrast, vesicles from patients with high‑risk tumours do not promote proliferation, but they do increase the migration capacity of cancer cells and stimulate angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels), both of which are key processes in tumour progression and spread.

The vesicles also affect the tumour microenvironment. Besides acting on cancer cells, they influence other surrounding cells. Low‑risk vesicles promote a pro‑inflammatory and immunosuppressive profile in macrophages (immune cells), which may help create a supportive environment for early‑stage tumours.

Another important finding is the activation of signalling pathways, as the observed effects are linked to the activation of key molecular routes in cancer.

This discovery shows that periprostatic adipose tissue is not just a passive structure but an active and dynamic player that modulates prostate cancer behaviour depending on disease aggressiveness. Extracellular vesicles from this tissue emerge as promising therapeutic targets for future strategies aimed at interfering with communication between the tumour and its microenvironment, especially in cases with a higher risk of progression.

Although these results come from in vitro models and further studies will be needed in more complex systems, this research represents a significant step forward in understanding prostate cancer biology and opens a promising avenue for translational research.

Link to the scientific publication:
Arreaza-Gil V. et al. Periprostatic adipose tissue-derived extracellular vesicles modulate prostate cancer cell behaviour in vitro according to tumour grade. Mol Med (2026).

PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41566212/
DOI: 10.1186/s10020-026-01422-7

A team of researchers from the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP) and the Biomedical Research Institute of Southern Catalonia (IRB CatSud, formerly IISPV) has published a study in the scientific journal Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. The study describes an experimental rat model that reproduces key features of creeping fat, the accumulation of fatty tissue around inflamed intestinal segments, which is one of the characteristic pathological signs of Crohn’s disease.

The study shows that the colitis model induced with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) develops hyperplasia of the mesocolic adipose tissue, presenting macroscopic, histological, immunological and molecular similarities to the creeping fat observed in patients with Crohn’s disease. According to the authors, this model can help study the role of this tissue in the progression of the disease and its complications.

The first author, Dr. Laura Clua, explains that “creeping fat is not only a growth of fatty tissue around the inflamed intestine, but it is also a metabolically and immunologically active tissue. In the model we observe a strong infiltration of immune cells and high expression of pro‑inflammatory cytokines, features that have also been described in patients.”

The results show a relationship between the severity of transmural intestinal inflammation and the development of mesocolic hyperplasia, as well as the presence of bacteria that have moved into the subserosa. According to the authors, these findings support the hypothesis that the gut microbiota may contribute to the remodeling of mesenteric adipose tissue.

Co-author Roger Suau, corresponding author of the article, highlights that “we have characterized the model at several levels —macroscopic, histopathological, immunohistochemical and transcriptomic— which allowed us to compare it with the features described in humans. About half of the animals develop mesocolic hyperplasia with characteristics similar to the creeping fat described in Crohn’s disease.”

For Dr. Carolina Serena (IRB CatSud), leader of the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBODI) research group, this model may be useful to explore the mechanisms involved in the disease: “having an experimental model that reproduces this phenomenon makes it easier to study the relationship between intestinal inflammation, bacterial translocation and the remodeling of mesenteric adipose tissue.”

According to Dr. Josep Manyé, researcher in the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Research Group (GReMII) at IGTP, “this type of experimental model can help us better understand the role of creeping fat in Crohn’s disease and explore new therapeutic approaches.”

Researchers from the Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, the Viladecans Hospital and CIBEREHD also took part in the study, together with other IGTP teams such as the High‑Throughput Genomics and Bioinformatics platform led by Lauro Sumoy, and the Translational Research in Liver Diseases group, led by Ramon Bartolí.

The authors state that the model offers a reproducible experimental platform to study the role of mesenteric adipose tissue in inflammatory bowel disease and to support the evaluation of new therapeutic strategies in preclinical research stages.

The Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), with the participation of the Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Catalunya Sud (IRB CatSud, formerly IISPV), has taken part in a pioneering study showing that consuming extra virgin olive oil may help preserve cognitive function by modulating the gut microbiota. The research, published in Microbiome, is the first study in humans to analyse this specific relationship.

The study was carried out using data from 656 people aged 55 to 75 with overweight or obesity and metabolic syndrome, all participating in the PREDIMED-Plus project. Participants who consumed extra virgin olive oil —and not refined oil— showed a better evolution of cognitive function and a more diverse gut microbiota, which is a key indicator of metabolic health. In addition, the bacterial genus Adlercreutzia was identified as a possible mediator of this protective effect.

The difference between the two types of olive oil lies in the production process: while extra virgin olive oil preserves antioxidants, polyphenols and bioactive compounds, refined oil loses most of these elements during industrial processing. “Not all olive oils have the same benefits for cognitive function,” explains Jiaqi Ni, first author of the study.

The results highlight the importance of fat quality within the Mediterranean diet. “Extra virgin olive oil not only protects the heart, but may also help preserve the brain during ageing,” says Jordi Salas-Salvadó, principal investigator. Codirectors Nancy Babio and Stephanie Nishi emphasise that, in a context of increasing cognitive decline, improving diet quality is an accessible and effective strategy.

This research was made possible thanks to the leadership of the URV and IISPV-CERCA, with the collaboration of CIBERobn and international institutions such as Wageningen University and Harvard University.

NeuroÈpia Team-Neuroepidemiology line

A new study by IRB CatSud and ISGlobal links teenagers’ nutrition with emotional wellbeing, cognitive performance, and long‑term decision‑making

Adolescence is a key period for brain development, and eating habits play an essential role in this process. A new study led by the Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Catalunya Sud (Southern Catalonia Biomedical Reseach Institute – IRB CatSud, formerly IISPV), includes the participation of the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by the “la Caixa” Foundation, shows that eating ultra‑processed foods is linked to more emotional and behavioural difficulties. On the other hand, following the Mediterranean diet is associated with better executive function. The study, titled Dietary Patterns and Neuropsychological Function in Adolescents: A Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Study, has been published in BMC Medicine.

 

The study, carried out by the Clinical and Epidemiological Neuroscience Research Group (NeuroÈpia) at IRB CatSud. The research analyses data from a sample of 653 adolescents aged 12 to 16 from the metropolitan area of Barcelona (Smart-Snack study). It highlights the importance of nutrition during adolescence, a stage where the brain is still developing, especially the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in decision‑making and impulse control.

Eating habits were assessed using food‑frequency questionnaires that measured adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the intake of ultra‑processed foods. Neuropsychological function was evaluated through standardised computerised tests that measured attention, working memory, fluid intelligence, decision‑making, and emotional recognition. Behavioural and emotional outcomes were also assessed using validated questionnaires.

Opposite effects on the teen brain

The results show clear differences between the two eating patterns. According to Alexios Manidis, the lead researcher, a higher intake of ultra‑processed foods—such as sugary drinks, industrial pastries, and ultra-processed meats—is linked to poorer performance in emotional recognition and sustained attention. Teenagers who consume more ultra‑processed foods also report more symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as more behavioural problems.

In contrast, greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet—rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and olive oil—is linked to fewer behavioural problems and better scores in executive attention.

However, in the six-month follow-up, only initial ultra-processed food consumption showed longitudinal associations with internalizing symptoms and decision-making, while Mediterranean diet adherence showed no longitudinal effects. “This may suggest that Mediterranean diet benefits require ongoing adherence, while the effects of ultra-processed foods may be more persistent,” comments Manidis, reinforcing the importance of maintaining healthy habits consistently.

Objective validation through biomarkers

The study also analysed urinary biomarkers in a subsample of 257 participants. The results show that adolescents who consume more ultra‑processed foods have fewer compounds from plant‑based foods and more compounds linked to food processing, confirming the reliability of dietary questionnaires.

Christopher Papandreou, Assistant Professor at the Hellenic Mediterranean University (Crete, Greece) and senior co-author of the study, notes that “teenagers’ diets are shifting towards ultra-processed foods” and warns that this change “may be contributing to the rise in mental health problems among young people”.

Jordi Julvez, head researcher of the NeuroÈpia Research Group at the IRB CatSud and ISGlobal, reminds us that “adolescence is a period of great brain reorganisation” and explains that diet “can influence how teenagers regulate their emotions and make complex decisions”.

The researchers conclude that future strategies, such as replacing processed snacks in schools with nutrient‑dense options like nuts and fresh fruit, could be effective in improving emotional regulation and cognitive function in the long term.

 

Bibliographic reference of the study

Manidis, A., Ayala-Aldana, N., Bernardo-Castro, S., Pinar-Martí, A., Galkina, P., Fernández-Barrés, S., Ramirez-Carrasco, P., Lamuela-Raventós, R. M., Papandreou, C., & Julvez, J. (2026). Dietary patterns and neuropsychological function in adolescents: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study. BMC Medicine, 10.1186/s12916-026-04658-6. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-026-04658-6

A study led by the Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (DIAMET) group at the Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Catalunya Sud (IRB CatSud, formerly IISPV) shows that liver fibrosis and type 2 diabetes significantly modify the hormonal response after eating in people with fatty liver associated with metabolic dysfunction (MASLD). The research, published in the Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry, examines how both conditions affect the secretion of essential hormones for glucose control—such as glucagon and the incretins (GLP‑1, GLP‑2 and GIP)—after a standardized meal.

The results show that liver fibrosis is the most important factor influencing the increase in GLP‑1 levels, both in fasting conditions and after the meal, regardless of whether the patient has diabetes. In addition, when liver fibrosis and type 2 diabetes occur together, hormonal changes become stronger, suggesting a synergistic effect between both conditions. Type 2 diabetes is also linked to the loss of the normal suppression of glucagon after eating, a key process to keep blood glucose within healthy ranges.

These findings reinforce the idea that a fibrotic liver is not a passive organ, but plays an active role in metabolic dysregulation. Fibrosis not only reflects past damage but also contributes to generating new hormonal alterations. Understanding these changes is essential to improve clinical assessment and move towards more personalised treatments for MASLD.

With the growing prevalence of MASLD and type 2 diabetes, understanding how these conditions interact at the hormonal level is crucial to improve early diagnosis and optimise treatments based on the incretin–glucagon axis. The study provides evidence that can help identify subgroups of patients who may benefit from more specific therapeutic approaches, with a direct impact on clinical practice.

Overall, the results confirm that liver fibrosis is a central determinant of GLP‑1 levels, and that the coexistence of type 2 diabetes further intensifies these hormonal alterations. This knowledge highlights the need to design therapeutic strategies adapted to the metabolic and liver profile of each patient, especially in a context where both diseases are becoming increasingly common.

The study involved researchers from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), the Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) – Hospital Clínic Barcelona, the research networks of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) — the Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM) and the Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD) — as well as the Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII (Tarragona).

The grants, with more than €270,000 in funding, support advanced projects in personalized radiotherapy and artificial intelligence. A third grant is aimed at specialized training in molecular oncology

The Spanish Association Against Cancer in Tarragona presented on Thursday, 19 February, the three grants awarded for the 2025 call. These grants show a strong commitment to cancer research and to the goal of reaching a 70% cancer survival rate by 2030.

Two of the funded researchers work at the Institute of Biomedical Research of Southern Catalonia (IRB CatSud, formerly IISPV). They lead projects that combine technology, innovation, and clinical impact: Dr Bárbara Antonia Malavé and Marta Canela.

Dr Bárbara Antonia Malavé has received the Clinic Junior Grant AECC 2025, supporting a project focused on improving radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer. The project uses advanced biomarkers and artificial intelligence to adapt treatments to each patient. The grant provides €154,000 over four years.

Also at IRB CatSud, Marta Canela has received the AECC Tarragona Predoctoral Grant 2025. Her research combines medical imaging and blood analysis to predict how patients with lung cancer will respond to radiotherapy. The grant provides €110,660 over four years.

The third grant has been awarded to Maria Guirro, who will receive the Clinic Training Grant AECC 2025. The €7,100 contribution will allow her to complete the Master’s Degree in Molecular Oncology (MOM).

The donation will support the Institute’s research lines on diabetes, especially those focused on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment

The town councils of Perafort and Puigdelfí and Els Garidells have donated the funds raised during the charity walk ‘Take a Step Against Diabetes’ to the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV). The total amount, €2,324, will be used to support research on diabetes, particularly in the areas of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this and other metabolic diseases. The event, organised by both councils, took place on 23 November 2025 and celebrated its 10th edition, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Institute.

During the ceremony to hand over the symbolic cheque, several representatives of the organising institutions attended: the event’s promoter, Sergi Vernet; the Sports Councillor of Perafort, Xavi Prim; and the Housing and Social Welfare Councillor of Els Garidells, Marta Duque. Representing the IISPV were the director and leader of the Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases Group (DIAMET), Joan Vendrell, and also DIAMET group leader, Sonia Fernández Veledo. The DIAMET group is the beneficiary of the funds, which will help continue its research projects in the field of diabetes.

The donation was made possible thanks to the participation of local residents and the support of organisations and businesses in the area. As highlighted during the cheque presentation by both the organising councils and IISPV representatives, this contribution “strengthens the collective commitment to diabetes research” and shows the “social awareness of a disease that has a major impact on the region”. The aim of the walk is not only to support research but also to promote healthy lifestyle habits.

Over its 10 editions, the charity walk ‘Take a Step Against Diabetes’ has raised a total of €11,000, which has been used to support ongoing diabetes research projects at the Institute.