Determination of B Vitamins by Double-Vortex-Ultrasonic Assisted Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction and Evaluation of their Possible Roles in Susceptibility to COVID−19 Infection: Hybrid Box–Behnken Design and Genetic Algorithm

Abstract

Objectives In this study, double-vortex-ultrasonic assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DVUDLLME) was applied to determine the concentration of vitamin B9, 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate (5-MeTHF) and vitamin B12 in human serum samples. Methods High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with DVUDLLME was applied to analyze vitamins B in patients with Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Then, significant variables were chosen and optimized using the hybrid Box–Behnken design and genetic algorithm. Results The detection limits of DVUDLLME–HPLC were 0.21 ng mL−1, 0.18 ng mL−1 and 55 pgmL−1 for vitamin B9, 5-MeTHF and vitamin B12, respectively. Subsequently, DVUDLLME-HPLC was applied to measure B vitamins and investigated their possible roles in susceptibility to COVID-19 infection. Fifty-seven percent of the patients without an underlying disease have significantly lower serum vitamin B12 levels in comparison to controls. Conclusions The advantages of this method are low detection limit, simple preparation, low retention time and the use of a cheaper technique instead of expensive mass detectors. The results suggest that vitamin B12 deficiency may decrease the immune system defenses against COVID-19 patients without an underlying disease and cause the disease to become severe. However, these works need a large population and further research, such as a randomized trial and a cohort study.

Factors Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection Evaluated by Antibody Response in a Sample of Workers from the Emilia-Romagna Region, Northern Italy

“…Deschasaux-Tanguy et al reported that dietary intakes of folate were associated with a decreased probability of SARS-CoV-2 infection [60]. On the other hand, Akbari et al found no significant difference in the folate serum levels between the control group and COVID-19 patients [61]. Nevertheless, our findings are in line with a recent study by Pandya et al, which suggests a protective role of folates against SARS-CoV-2 infection thanks to their high affinity bond with viral proteins.…”

Rationale and Experience of Vitamin B12 Usage in Complex Therapy of COVID-19 and Post-COVID Syndrome

“…Дефицит витамина B12 часто встречается у пожилых людей и больных СД2, эти же пациенты входят в группу риска тяжелого течения COVID-19. Кроме того, симптомы дефицита В12 сходны с осложнениями новой коронавирусной инфекции: чрезмерные воспалительные и окислительные реакции на стресс [16], поражения центральной нервной и сердечно-сосудистой систем и желудочно-кишечного тракта, несостоятельность иммунного ответа. Следовательно, восполнение этого дефицита могло бы снизить риск смерти и вероятность развития цитокинового шторма и дыхательной недостаточности [17,18].…”

“…Даже в контрольной группе (без изначального дефицита В12) отмечен существенный прирост концентраций маркеров иммунитета, что свидетельствует о противовирусных иммунологических свойствах B12. Более позднее проспективное турецкое исследование больных с В12-пернициозной анемией также подтвердило восстановление количества лимфоцитов, активности NK-клеток и соотношения CD4+ : CD8+ после внутримышечного введения цианокобаламина [16]. Кроме того, в данном исследовании продемонстрировано повышение уровней дополнительных противовирусных компонентов иммунной системы, а именно комплемента С3 и С4 и иммуноглобулинов.…”