The benefits of Vitamin D in the COVID-19 pandemic: biochemical and immunological mechanisms

Musavi, Hadis; Abazari, Omid; Barartabar, Zeinab; Kalaki-Jouybari, Fatemeh; Hemmati-Dinarvand, Mohsen; Esmaeili, Parisa; Mahjoub, S.

doi:10.1080/13813455.2020.1826530

Cited by 27 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 96 publications

(112 reference statements)

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“…Xu et al (157) demonstrated that calcitriol is able to upregulate ACE2 and downregulate renin and angiotensin II in the lung tissue of rats exposed to lipopolysaccharide as a model of ARDS (157). In this scenario, recent literature have suggested that vitamin D can act by targeting ACE2 down-regulation in SARS-CoV-2 infection, which could be a potential therapeutic approach to COVID-19 and induced ARDS (158)(159)(160)(161). However, further studies must be performed to understand the impact of ACE2 modulation for COVID-19 (17,24,(158)(159)(160)(161)(162).…”

Section: Vitamin Dmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zinc, Vitamin D and Vitamin C: Perspectives for COVID-19 With a Focus on Physical Tissue Barrier Integrity

et al. 2020

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Some nutrients play key roles in maintaining the integrity and function of the immune system, presenting synergistic actions in steps determinant for the immune response. Among these elements, zinc and vitamins C and D stand out for having immunomodulatory functions and for playing roles in preserving physical tissue barriers. Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, nutrients that can optimize the immune system to prevent or lower the risk of severe progression and prognosis of this viral infection become relevant. Thus, the present review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the roles of zinc and vitamins C and D in the immune response to viral infections, focusing on the synergistic action of these nutrients in the maintenance of physical tissue barriers, such as the skin and mucous membranes. The evidence found in the literature shows that deficiency of one or more of these three elements compromises the immune response, making an individual more vulnerable to viral infections and to a worse disease prognosis. Thus, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the adequate intake of zinc and vitamins C and D may represent a promising pharmacological tool due to the high demand for these nutrients in the case of contact with the virus and onset of the inflammatory process. Ongoing clinical trials will help to clarify the role of these nutrients for COVID-19 management.

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Section: Vitamin Dmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zinc, Vitamin D and Vitamin C: Perspectives for COVID-19 With a Focus on Physical Tissue Barrier Integrity

et al. 2020

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“…Among the well-established theories of this association is the biophysical and structural evidence that SARS-CoV-2’s point of cellular entry is the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor protein, which is found in abundance on the surfaces of respiratory cells and is the same point of entry observed in SARS-CoV-1 [ 14 ]. Vitamin D heightens the expression of the ACE2 receptor protein, which balances the pathways that are known to be disrupted by coronaviruses, ACE/ACE2 and angiotensin II (ANG)/ANG 1-7 [ 15 , 16 ]. Another interesting theory is that vitamin D is a negative acute phase reactant in most acute and chronic inflammatory conditions [ 17 ], which also explains why vitamin D deficiency is common in states that harbor low-grade systemic inflammation such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and aging [ 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of a 2-Week 5000 IU versus 1000 IU Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Recovery of Symptoms in Patients with Mild to Moderate Covid-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial

et al. 2021

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Objective: Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 severity. This multi-center randomized clinical trial aims to determine the effects of 5000 IU versus 1000 IU daily oral vitamin D3 supplementation in the recovery of symptoms and other clinical parameters among mild to moderate COVID-19 patients with sub-optimal vitamin D status. Study Design and Setting: A total of 69 reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) SARS-CoV-2 positive adults who were hospitalized for mild to moderate COVID-19 disease were allocated to receive once daily for 2 weeks either 5000 IU oral vitamin D3 (n = 36, 21 males; 15 females) or 1000 IU oral vitamin D3 (standard control) (n = 33, 13 males; 20 females). Anthropometrics were measured and blood samples were taken pre- and post-supplementation. Fasting blood glucose, lipids, serum 25(OH)D, and inflammatory markers were measured. COVID-19 symptoms were noted on admission and monitored until full recovery. Results: Vitamin D supplementation for 2 weeks caused a significant increase in serum 25(OH)D levels in the 5000 IU group only (adjusted p = 0.003). Within-group comparisons also showed a significant decrease in BMI and IL-6 levels overtime in both groups (p-values < 0.05) but was not clinically significant in between-group comparisons. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed that the 5000 IU group had a significantly shorter time to recovery (days) than the 1000 IU group in resolving cough, even after adjusting for age, sex, baseline BMI, and D-dimer (6.2 ± 0.8 versus 9.1 ± 0.8; p = 0.039), and ageusia (loss of taste) (11.4 ± 1.0 versus 16.9 ± 1.7; p = 0.035). Conclusion: A 5000 IU daily oral vitamin D3 supplementation for 2 weeks reduces the time to recovery for cough and gustatory sensory loss among patients with sub-optimal vitamin D status and mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms. The use of 5000 IU vitamin D3 as an adjuvant therapy for COVID-19 patients with suboptimal vitamin D status, even for a short duration, is recommended.

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“…This phenomenon suggests a probable pathogenic brain disease mechanism mediated by immune responses. 31,32,33 Similarly, the previous study displayed that IgG uptake in the rat neurons was related to eosinophilia and degenerative ultrastructural alteration. It could be indicated that IgG leakage is associated with neuronal impairment and might be a pathogenic mechanism in epileptogenesis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Effects of Gliadin on Autoimmune Responses of Central Nervous System of C57BL/6 Mice

Esmaeili¹,

Rostami²,

Akbarijavar³

et al. 2021

IJAAI

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Gluten sensitivity contributes to various degrees of neurological manifestations and neurodegenerative immunological changes. We investigated the experimental features of antigliadin immune responses in the central nervous system (CNS) of mice. Female C57BL6 mice were divided into three groups. Mice immunized with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or gliadin emulsified in CFA, and the control group received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Immunohistochemistry, hematoxylin-eosin, and Luxol fast blue staining were performed on the sections. The serum levels of interleukin (IL)-17 and interferongamma (IFN-γ) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to assess the mRNA levels of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand-2 (CXCL-2), C-C motif chemokine ligand-2 (CCL-2), and CXCL-10. In gliadin+CFA immunized mice, the microscopic lesions included perivascular edema, focalmicrogliosis, and acute neuronal necrosis in the cortex, subcortical, Purkinje cell layer, and ventral horn of the spinal cord. While extravasation of anti-IgG antibodies and selective targeting of Purkinje cells were observed in gliadin+CFA immunized mice. A significant increase in serum IL17 and IFN-γ levels (p<0.05), as well as expression of CXCL-2, CCL-2, and CXCL-10 in mice immunized with gliadin+CFA, were monitored versus controls. Our findings indicated that the immune responses directed against gliadin peptides might contribute to blood-brain barrier breakdown, extravasation of serum anti-IgG, gliosis, and acute neuronal necrosis in the cortex and cerebellar Purkinje cells. Anti-IgG antibodies may cause extravasation of blood-born anti-gliadin antibodies and selective targeting of Purkinje cells observed in mice immunized with peptide tryptic (pt) -gliadin in CFA.

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The benefits of Vitamin D in the COVID-19 pandemic: biochemical and immunological mechanisms

Cited by 27 publications

References 96 publications

Zinc, Vitamin D and Vitamin C: Perspectives for COVID-19 With a Focus on Physical Tissue Barrier Integrity

Zinc, Vitamin D and Vitamin C: Perspectives for COVID-19 With a Focus on Physical Tissue Barrier Integrity

Effects of a 2-Week 5000 IU versus 1000 IU Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Recovery of Symptoms in Patients with Mild to Moderate Covid-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Effects of Gliadin on Autoimmune Responses of Central Nervous System of C57BL/6 Mice

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