Mitochondrial Function in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells, Muscle, and Skin of Long COVID Pati… (NCT07134673) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Mitochondrial Function in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells, Muscle, and Skin of Long COVID Patients
Belgium54 participantsStarted 2026-01-21
Plain-language summary
Mitochondria are structures inside cells that are responsible for producing energy from nutrients through a series of steps, using oxygen. To have an idea of how well the mitochondria can produce energy, we can measure how much oxygen they use. The goal of this study is to:
1. To compare the oxygen use between people with long COVID and people who completely recovered after COVID-19, using three techniques that measure the oxygen use in blood cells, on the skin and in the muscle
2. To test how similar these three techniques are in measuring the oxygen used in the three different tissues
Participants will:
* Complete surveys,
* Wear an activity tracker (7 days),
* Undergo several non-invasive tests, and
* Donate a blood sample The study will take place in UZ Brussel hospital and will take 2 study visits, approximately 7 days apart.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Individuals with long COVID:
Inclusion criteria:
* Long COVID diagnosis, based on the WHO definition;
* Presence of long COVID symptoms for a minimum of 6 months.
* History of confirmed or documented SARS-CoV-2 infection.
* Adult (≥18 years of age).
* Post-COVID-19 Functional Status Scale grade 2-4, while they had a grade 0 before the SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Exclusion criteria:
* Pre-existing chronic diseases potentially affecting the functional status scale.
* Treatment with metabolism altering drugs.
* \> 10 standard units of alcohol (10 grams of alcohol/glass) per week.
* Unable to understand oral and written instructions in Dutch, French or English.
* Allergies to medical adhesive bandages.
* Porphyria and other skin conditions aggravated by sunlight.
Convalescent individuals
Inclusion criteria:
* History of confirmed or documented SARS-CoV-2 infection.
* Complete recovery after the SARS-CoV-2 infection, no history of long COVID based on the WHO definition;
* Post-COVID-19 Functional Status Scale \[2\] grade 0 both before the infection and currently.
* Adult (≥18 years of age).
Exclusion criteria:
* Pre-existing chronic non-communicable diseases (e.g. hypertension, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes).
* Treatment with metabolism altering drugs.
* \> 10 standard units of alcohol (10 grams of alcohol/glass) per week.
* Unable to understand oral and written instructions in Dutch, French or English.
* Allergies to medical adhesive bandages.
* Porphyria and other sk…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Basal Oxygen Consumption rate (pmol O2/min)
Timeframe: Blood sample is taken during the second study visit (approximately 7 days after the first study visit) and the PBMCs are cryopreserved until analysis (after all participants have been recruited, estimated to be within 1 year of the start of the study)
2
Tissue Saturation Index (TSI)
Timeframe: Second study visit (approximately 7 days after the first study visit)
3
Mitochondrial oxygen tension (mitoPO2) (mmHg/s)
Timeframe: Second study visit (approximately 7 days after the first study visit)
4
Mitochondrial oxygen consumption (mitoVO2)
Timeframe: Second study visit (minimally 7 days after the first study visit)