Vitamin D—A prominent immunomodulator to prevent COVID‐19 infection

Abstract

COVID‐19 remains a life‐threatening infectious disease worldwide. Several bio‐active agents have been tested and evaluated in an effort to contain this disease. Unfortunately, none of the therapies have been successful, owing to their safety concerns and the presence of various adverse effects. Various countries have developed vaccines as a preventive measure; however, they have not been widely accepted as effective strategies. The virus has proven to be exceedingly contagious and lethal, so finding an effective treatment strategy has been a top priority in medical research. The significance of vitamin D in influencing many components of the innate and adaptive immune systems is examined in this study. This review aims to summarize the research on the use of vitamin D for COVID‐19 treatment and prevention. Vitamin D supplementation has now become an efficient option to boost the immune response for all ages in preventing the spread of infection. Vitamin D is an immunomodulator that treats infected lung tissue by improving innate and adaptive immune responses and downregulating the inflammatory cascades. The preventive action exerted by vitamin D supplementation (at a specific dose) has been accepted by several observational research investigations and clinical trials on the avoidance of viral and acute respiratory dysfunctions. To assess the existing consensus about vitamin D supplementation as a strategy to treat and prevent the development and progression of COVID‐19 disease, this review intends to synthesize the evidence around vitamin D in relation to COVID‐19 infection.

Correlates of poor clinical outcomes related to COVID-19 among older people with psychiatric illness - a mixed methods study

“…36 Vitamin-D is an immunomodulator that influences the innate and adaptive immune response to COVID-19. 37 However, the evidence supporting the routine use of vitamin-D supplementation for reducing COVID-19 related deaths and/or ICU admissions remain inconclusive. [38][39][40] Our findings support the need for larger clinical trials investigating the efficacy of vitamin-D supplementation for reducing COVID-19 related deaths.…”

Unveiling COVID‐19 treatment strategies for immunocompromised individuals: Therapeutic innovations and latest findings

“…The differences in treatment between patients with and without immunocompromised status are also summarized in Table 1. For more details of the therapeutic management differences, please refer to sections “Therapeutic Management of Nonhospitalized Adults With COVID‐19”, “Therapeutic Management of Hospitalized Adults With COVID‐19” in reference 3, and section “Management of Patients With COVID‐19 Who Are Immunocompromised” in reference 5. For more strategies regarding ICP including prevention of COVID‐19, adjusting chronic immunosuppressive therapies, and therapeutic management of nonhospitalized and hospitalized immunocompromised patients with COVID‐19, please refer to the “Special Considerations in People Who Are Immunocompromised” section of COVID‐19 Treatment Guidelines proposed by COVID‐19 Treatment Guidelines Panel at the U.S. National Institutes of Health 9,11…”

“…Anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory therapies for COVID‐19 include the treatment with corticosteroids, Janus‐associated kinase inhibitors (JAKi), interleukin (IL) inhibitors (eg IL‐1i and IL‐6i) targeting IL or IL receptor along or in combination with antivirals. In addition, vitamin D supplementation as a strategy for the treatment and prevention of COVID‐19 disease onset and progression had been noted 3 …”

“…In addition, vitamin D supplementation as a strategy for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 disease onset and progression had been noted. 3…”

Vitamin D in therapy and management: armor against COVID-19 – correspondence

“…The downregulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 receptors by vitamin D has been reported in many studies. In addition, 1,25(OH)2D3 is also responsible for suppressing renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme-2+, and angiotensin II (Ang II) expression 4 , 5 . Subsequently, decreased Ang II and increased Ang (1–7) result in enhanced antioxidant properties, increased anti-inflammatory effects, an increase in antimicrobial peptides, reduced cytokine storm and apoptosis, and promoted Th2 phenotype polarization.…”