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O'Sullivan M, Moran C, Griffin TP, Doheny H, McCartney DM, O'Shea PM. Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the vitamin D status of people in the West of Ireland. Ir J Med Sci 2024; 193:1061-1071. [PMID: 37864675 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-023-03543-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Identify the impact of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on the vitamin D status of individuals in the west of Ireland. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Adults who had wintertime serum 25(OH)D analysis completed in Galway University Hospital. PARTICIPANTS A total of 16,725 participants (2015-2020 (n = 13,449) and 2020-2021 (n = 3276)). Baseline demographics; sex, age, origin of the sample and the date of sample collection. RESULTS Median serum vitamin D and serum vitamin D3 concentrations were higher in the 5-month period from October-February 2020-2021 (61 nmol/L (± 36-85 nmol/L) and 60 nmol/L (± 34-85 nmol/L)) respectively, than for the corresponding 5-month period (October-February) in 2015-2020 (53 nmol/L (± 32-78 nmol/L) and 51 nmol/L (± 30-77 nmol/L)) respectively. These changes coincided with a decline in the prevalence of deficiency. In the 5-month period October-February 2020-2021, 19.2% of the population were vitamin D deficient (< 30 nmol/L) compared to 22.5% in the corresponding 5-month period in 2015-2020, and 38.1% were vitamin D deficient (< 50 nmol/L) in the 5-month period October-February 2020-2021 compared to 46.6% in the corresponding 5-month period in 2015-2020. Males were more likely to be deficient at both thresholds (p < 0.001). For the total cohort, at the < 30 nmol/L threshold, inpatients (25.5%) and nursing home residents (34.1%) had higher prevalence of deficiency. CONCLUSIONS Vitamin D levels were higher in the 5-month period of October-February 2020-2021, and this precipitated a decline in deficiency at both thresholds, indicating that lockdown coincided with enhanced vitamin D status. We postulate that it may be attributable to changes in diet and/or supplementation, or increased sun exposure, but further confirmatory studies are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria O'Sullivan
- School of Biological, Health and Sports Sciences, Technological University Dublin - City Campus, Central Quad, Dublin 7, Grangegorman, D07 XT95, Ireland.
| | - Caoimhe Moran
- School of Biological, Health and Sports Sciences, Technological University Dublin - City Campus, Central Quad, Dublin 7, Grangegorman, D07 XT95, Ireland
| | - Tomás P Griffin
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, Saolta University Health Care Group (SUHCG), Galway University Hospitals, Galway, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Helen Doheny
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Saolta University Health Care Group (SUHCG), Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland
| | - Daniel Ma McCartney
- School of Biological, Health and Sports Sciences, Technological University Dublin - City Campus, Central Quad, Dublin 7, Grangegorman, D07 XT95, Ireland
| | - Paula M O'Shea
- School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Saolta University Health Care Group (SUHCG), Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland
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Yuan S, He W, Liu B, Liu Z. Research Progress on the Weak Immune Response to the COVID-19 Vaccine in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. Viral Immunol 2024; 37:79-88. [PMID: 38498797 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2023.0097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is generally susceptible to the population, highly infectious, rapidly transmitted, and highly fatal. There is a lack of specific drugs against the virus at present and vaccination is the most effective strategy to prevent infection. However, studies have found that some groups, particularly patients with diabetes, show varying degrees of weak immune reactivity to various COVID-19 vaccines, resulting in poor preventive efficacy against the novel coronavirus in patients with diabetes. Therefore, in this study, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had weak immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine in recent years were analyzed. This article reviews the phenomenon, preliminary mechanism, and related factors affecting weak vaccine response in patients with T2DM, which is expected to help in the development of new vaccines for high-risk groups for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqi Yuan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, The Second Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Wenwen He
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, The Second Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, The Second Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Zhuoran Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, The Second Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, China
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3
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Behura A, Naik L, Patel S, Das M, Kumar A, Mishra A, Nayak DK, Manna D, Mishra A, Dhiman R. Involvement of epigenetics in affecting host immunity during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166634. [PMID: 36577469 PMCID: PMC9790847 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is caused by a highly contagious RNA virus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), originated in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Since then, it has become a global public health concern and leads the disease table with the highest mortality rate, highlighting the necessity for a thorough understanding of its biological properties. The intricate interaction between the virus and the host immune system gives rise to diverse implications of COVID-19. RNA viruses are known to hijack the host epigenetic mechanisms of immune cells to regulate antiviral defence. Epigenetics involves processes that alter gene expression without changing the DNA sequence, leading to heritable phenotypic changes. The epigenetic landscape consists of reversible modifications like chromatin remodelling, DNA/RNA methylation, and histone methylation/acetylation that regulates gene expression. The epigenetic machinery contributes to many aspects of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, like global DNA methylation and receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) methylation determines the viral entry inside the host, viral replication, and infection efficiency. Further, it is also reported to epigenetically regulate the expression of different host cytokines affecting antiviral response. The viral proteins of SARS-CoV-2 interact with various host epigenetic enzymes like histone deacetylases (HDACs) and bromodomain-containing proteins to antagonize cellular signalling. The central role of epigenetic factors in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis is now exploited as promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets against COVID-19. This review article highlights the ability of SARS-CoV-2 in regulating the host epigenetic landscape during infection leading to immune evasion. It also discusses the ongoing therapeutic approaches to curtail and control the viral outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assirbad Behura
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Lincoln Naik
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Salina Patel
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Mousumi Das
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Ashish Kumar
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Abtar Mishra
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Dev Kiran Nayak
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Debraj Manna
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India
| | - Amit Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342011, India
| | - Rohan Dhiman
- Laboratory of Mycobacterial Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India.
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4
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Castillo-Peinado LDLS, Calderón-Santiago M, Sánchez-Cano RL, Quesada-Gómez JM, Bouillon R, Priego-Capote F. Determination of vitamin D 3 conjugated metabolites: a complementary view on hydroxylated metabolites. Analyst 2023; 148:654-664. [PMID: 36625245 DOI: 10.1039/d2an01982e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Experts typically define vitamin D deficiency levels by the determination of a circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-calcifediol prohormone. A large part of the population is characterized by deficient vitamin D levels (calcifediol < 20 ng mL-1) despite individuals not being affected by any disorder. Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) and/or calcifediol supplementation is a common practice for vitamin D-deficient individuals as recommended by international scientific societies and official agencies. In the last few years, several studies have reported the presence of conjugated vitamin D3 metabolites, mainly glucuronidation and sulfation derivatives, although simultaneous quantitative measurements involving phase I and II vitamin D metabolites have not been carried out. A quantitative method based on tandem mass spectrometry detection is proposed here for the combined determination of phase I and phase II vitamin D3 metabolites in human serum. As phase I and phase II metabolites are preferentially ionized in different modes, a switching polarity mode was adopted to determine both groups of compounds in serum at high sensitivity levels (pg mL-1). The validation of this proposal was successfully accomplished by following the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) guidelines. Its applicability was tested in a cohort of volunteers with mostly deficient baseline levels. Considering the sulfated form of calcifediol, the sum of its concentrations showed sufficient baseline vitamin D levels in all individuals, suggesting that this could be a novel strategy for vitamin D deficiency definition. Therefore, phase II metabolites are proposed to be included when evaluating the vitamin D status since they provide more information about the overall status of the vitamin D endocrine system. Nevertheless, further studies are required to confirm the biological activity of these conjugated metabolites and the suitability of this strategy for the description of vitamin D deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura de Los Santos Castillo-Peinado
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Annex Marie Curie Building, Campus of Rabanales, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain. .,Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), Reina Sofía University Hospital, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,Nanochemistry University Institute (IUNAN), Campus of Rabanales, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,CIBER Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Mónica Calderón-Santiago
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Annex Marie Curie Building, Campus of Rabanales, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain. .,Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), Reina Sofía University Hospital, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,Nanochemistry University Institute (IUNAN), Campus of Rabanales, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,CIBER Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Rafael Luis Sánchez-Cano
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), Reina Sofía University Hospital, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,Occupational Health Unit, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Jose Manuel Quesada-Gómez
- Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), Reina Sofía University Hospital, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,CIBER Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
| | - Roger Bouillon
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Feliciano Priego-Capote
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Annex Marie Curie Building, Campus of Rabanales, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain. .,Maimónides Institute of Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), Reina Sofía University Hospital, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,Nanochemistry University Institute (IUNAN), Campus of Rabanales, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.,CIBER Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
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Sarohan AR, Edipsoy S, Özkurt ZG, Özlü C, Demir AN, Cen O. Vitamin A Deficiency, COVID-19, and Rhino-Orbital Mucormycosis (Black Fungus): An Analytical Perspective. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1436:153-166. [PMID: 37253944 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2023_774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Mucormycosis is a rare but serious opportunistic fungal disease characterized by rhino-orbito-cerebral and pulmonary involvement. It is mainly seen in people with secondary immunosuppression, isolated vitamin A deficiency, measles, and AIDS patients. It showed a rise during the second wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in the spring of 2021 in India, especially in diabetic COVID-19 patients. Vitamin A deficiency is known to cause nutritional immunodeficiency and hence leading the way to increased opportunistic fungal, bacterial, and viral infections. In the eye, it causes keratitis, night blindness, xerophthalmia, conjunctivitis, Bitot spots, keratomalacia, and retinopathy. It also causes decreased tear secretion and deterioration of the anatomical/physiological defense barrier of the eye. The negative impact of vitamin A deficiency has been previously demonstrated in measles, AIDS, and COVID-19. We think that mucormycosis in COVID-19 might be rendered by vitamin A deficiency and that vitamin A supplementation may have preventive and therapeutic values against mucormycosis and other ocular symptoms associated with COVID-19. However, any vitamin A treatment regimen needs to be based on laboratory and clinical data and supervised by medical professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sait Edipsoy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medicina Plus Medical Center, İstanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Can Özlü
- Department of Hematology, Kütahya Health Science University, Evliya Çelebi Education and Research Hospital, Kütahya, Turkey
| | - Ayça Nur Demir
- Faculty of Medicine, Afyonkarahisar Health Science University, Afyon, Turkey
| | - Osman Cen
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Waubonsee College, Sugar Grove, IL, USA
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Hashim M, El-Safty SA, Al-Rashdan M, Selim KM, Abdelhady AY. Ameliorative Effects of 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol Levels on Broiler Chickens Challenged with Infectious Bronchitis Coronavirus: A Novel Approach. J APPL POULTRY RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.japr.2022.100311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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7
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Zhou J, Chen H, Wang Q, Chen S, Wang R, Wang Z, Yang C, Chen A, Zhao J, Zhou Z, Mao Z, Zuo G, Miao D, Jin J. Sirt1 overexpression improves senescence-associated pulmonary fibrosis induced by vitamin D deficiency through downregulating IL-11 transcription. Aging Cell 2022; 21:e13680. [PMID: 35906886 PMCID: PMC9381906 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Determining the mechanism of senescence-associated pulmonary fibrosis is crucial for designing more effective treatments for chronic lung diseases. This study aimed to determine the following: whether Sirt1 and serum vitamin D decreased with physiological aging, promoting senescence-associated pulmonary fibrosis by activating TGF-β1/IL-11/MEK/ERK signaling, whether Sirt1 overexpression prevented TGF-β1/IL-11/MEK/ERK signaling-mediated senescence-associated pulmonary fibrosis in vitamin D-deficient (Cyp27b1-/- ) mice, and whether Sirt1 downregulated IL-11 expression transcribed by TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling through deacetylating histone at the IL-11 promoter in pulmonary fibroblasts. Bioinformatics analysis with RNA sequencing data from pulmonary fibroblasts of physiologically aged mice was conducted for correlation analysis. Lungs from young and physiologically aged wild-type (WT) mice were examined for cell senescence, fibrosis markers, and TGF-β1/IL-11/MEK/ERK signaling proteins, and 1,25(OH)2 D3 and IL-11 levels were detected in serum. Nine-week-old WT, Sirt1 mesenchymal transgene (Sirt1Tg ), Cyp27b1-/- , and Sirt1Tg Cyp27b1-/- mice were observed the pulmonary function, aging, and senescence-associated secretory phenotype and TGF-β1/IL-11/MEK/ERK signaling. We found that pulmonary Sirt1 and serum vitamin D decreased with physiological aging, activating TGF-β1/IL-11/MEK/ERK signaling, and promoting senescence-associated pulmonary fibrosis. Sirt1 overexpression improved pulmonary dysfunction, aging, DNA damage, senescence-associated secretory phenotype, and fibrosis through downregulating TGF-β1/IL-11/MEK/ERK signaling in Cyp27b1-/- mice. Sirt1 negatively regulated IL-11 expression through deacetylating H3K9/14ac mainly at the region from -871 to -724 of IL-11 promoter, also the major binding region of Smad2 which regulated IL-11 expression at the transcriptional level, and subsequently inhibiting TGF-β1/IL-11/MEK/ERK signaling in pulmonary fibroblasts. This signaling in aging fibroblasts could be a therapeutic target for preventing senescence-associated pulmonary fibrosis induced by vitamin D deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawen Zhou
- Department of Human Anatomy, Research Centre for Bone and Stem Cells, Key Laboratory for Aging & Disease, The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haiyun Chen
- Anti-Aging Research Laboratory, Friendship Plastic Surgery Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiuyi Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Research Centre for Bone and Stem Cells, Key Laboratory for Aging & Disease, The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sihan Chen
- Department of Human Anatomy, Research Centre for Bone and Stem Cells, Key Laboratory for Aging & Disease, The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rong Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Research Centre for Bone and Stem Cells, Key Laboratory for Aging & Disease, The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ziyang Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Research Centre for Bone and Stem Cells, Key Laboratory for Aging & Disease, The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Cuicui Yang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Research Centre for Bone and Stem Cells, Key Laboratory for Aging & Disease, The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ao Chen
- Department of Human Anatomy, Research Centre for Bone and Stem Cells, Key Laboratory for Aging & Disease, The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingyu Zhao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Research Centre for Bone and Stem Cells, Key Laboratory for Aging & Disease, The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zihao Zhou
- Department of Human Anatomy, Research Centre for Bone and Stem Cells, Key Laboratory for Aging & Disease, The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiyuan Mao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Research Centre for Bone and Stem Cells, Key Laboratory for Aging & Disease, The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guoping Zuo
- Department of Human Anatomy, Research Centre for Bone and Stem Cells, Key Laboratory for Aging & Disease, The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,The Laboratory Centre for Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dengshun Miao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Research Centre for Bone and Stem Cells, Key Laboratory for Aging & Disease, The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Anti-Aging Research Laboratory, Friendship Plastic Surgery Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianliang Jin
- Department of Human Anatomy, Research Centre for Bone and Stem Cells, Key Laboratory for Aging & Disease, The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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8
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Briceno Noriega D, Savelkoul HFJ. Vitamin D: A Potential Mitigation Tool for the Endemic Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic? Front Public Health 2022; 10:888168. [PMID: 35757617 PMCID: PMC9226430 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.888168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic and associated development of clinical symptoms of COVID-19 have presented an enormous global impact on our health care systems, public health and economy. To date several observational epidemiological studies consistently found that vitamin D deficiency, measured as low levels of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D, is associated with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, certain cancers, autoimmune diseases and many infectious diseases, including acute respiratory infections. Since vitamin D is not merely immunosuppressive but also acts as an immunomodulator in tolerance and homeostasis, many experts have considered a role of vitamin D in the prevalence and severity of immune mediated inflammatory diseases, such as SARS-CoV-2, adding to the evidence of the importance of vitamin D in the immune response against viral respiratory infections and reinforcing the need for targeted vitamin D supplementation, with a focus on high-risk populations and a high-dose supplementation treatment for COVID-19 hospitalized patients. The expected transition to endemicity of SARS-CoV-2 even further corroborates as a potential of vitamin D as an potential mitigation tool for the prevention of COVID-19. The aim of this paper is to analyse the current evidence regarding vitamin D and present a hypothesis of its potential role in the current COVID-19 pandemic and in the future as a potential preventive measurement in public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Briceno Noriega
- Cell Biology and Immunology Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
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9
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Sabbatinelli J, Matacchione G, Giuliani A, Ramini D, Rippo MR, Procopio AD, Bonafè M, Olivieri F. Circulating biomarkers of inflammaging as potential predictors of COVID-19 severe outcomes. Mech Ageing Dev 2022; 204:111667. [PMID: 35341896 PMCID: PMC8949647 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2022.111667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection has been of unprecedented clinical and socio-economic worldwide relevance. The case fatality rate for COVID-19 grows exponentially with age and the presence of comorbidities. In the older patients, COVID-19 manifests predominantly as a systemic disease associated with immunological, inflammatory, and procoagulant responses. Timely diagnosis and risk stratification are crucial steps to define appropriate therapies and reduce mortality, especially in the older patients. Chronically and systemically activated innate immune responses and impaired antiviral responses have been recognized as the results of a progressive remodeling of the immune system during aging, which can be described by the words 'immunosenescence' and 'inflammaging'. These age-related features of the immune system were highlighted in patients affected by COVID-19 with the poorest clinical outcomes, suggesting that the mechanisms underpinning immunosenescence and inflammaging could be relevant for COVID-19 pathogenesis and progression. Increasing evidence suggests that senescent myeloid and endothelial cells are characterized by the acquisition of a senescence-associated pro-inflammatory phenotype (SASP), which is considered as the main culprit of both immunosenescence and inflammaging. Here, we reviewed this evidence and highlighted several circulating biomarkers of inflammaging that could provide additional prognostic information to stratify COVID-19 patients based on the risk of severe outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Sabbatinelli
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Laboratory Medicine, AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giulia Matacchione
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Angelica Giuliani
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Deborah Ramini
- Center of Clinical Pathology and Innovative Therapy, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy
| | - Maria Rita Rippo
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Antonio Domenico Procopio
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Center of Clinical Pathology and Innovative Therapy, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Bonafè
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabiola Olivieri
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Center of Clinical Pathology and Innovative Therapy, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy.
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10
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Al Saedi A, Kirk B, Iuliano S, Zanker J, Vogrin S, Jayaram L, Thomas S, Golding C, Navarro-Perez D, Marusic P, Leng S, Nanan R, Duque G. Effects of 3 months of multi-nutrient supplementation on the immune system and muscle and respiratory function of older adults in aged care (The Pomerium Study): protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e059075. [PMID: 35523505 PMCID: PMC9082724 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Immunosenescence leads to increased morbidity and mortality associated with viral infections and weaker vaccine responses. This has been well documented for seasonal influenza and the current pandemic with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), which disproportionately impact older adults, particularly those in residential aged care facilities. Inadequate nutrient intakes associated with impaired immunity, respiratory and muscle function are likely to augment the effects of immunosenescence. In this study, we test whether the impact of inadequate nutrition can be reversed using multi-nutrient supplementation, consequently enhancing vaccine responses, reducing the risk of viral infections and improving respiratory and muscle function. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The Pomerium Study is a 3-month, single-blind, randomised, controlled trial testing the effects of two daily servings of an oral multi-nutrient supplement (330 kcal, 20 g protein, 1.5 g calcium 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyrate monohydrate (CaHMB), 449 mg calcium, 500 IU vitamin D3 and 25 vitamins and minerals) on the immune system and muscle and respiratory function of older adults in aged care in Melbourne, Australia. 160 older adults (≥75 years old) will be recruited from aged care facilities and randomised to treatment (multi-nutrient supplement) or control (usual care). The primary outcome is a change in T-cell subsets CD8 + and CD28null counts at months 1 and 3. Secondary outcomes measured at baseline and month 3 are multiple markers of immunosenescence (also at 1 month), body composition (bioimpedance), handgrip strength (dynamometer), physical function (short physical performance battery), respiratory function (spirometry) and quality of life (EQ-5D-5L). Incidence and complications of COVID-19 and/or viral infections (ie, hospitalisation, complications or death) will be recorded throughout the trial, including 3 months after supplementation is ceased. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study was approved by Melbourne Health Human Research Ethics Committee (Ref No. HREC/73985/MH-2021, ERM Ref No. RMH73985, Melbourne Health Site Ref No. 2021.115). Written informed consent will be obtained from participants. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and made available to key aged care stakeholders, including providers, residents, and government bodies. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ACTRN12621000420842.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Al Saedi
- Medicine-Western Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), St Albans, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ben Kirk
- Medicine-Western Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), St Albans, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sandra Iuliano
- Medicine-Western Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), St Albans, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jesse Zanker
- Medicine-Western Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), St Albans, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sara Vogrin
- Medicine-Western Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), St Albans, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lata Jayaram
- Medicine-Western Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shane Thomas
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), St Albans, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christine Golding
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Diana Navarro-Perez
- Medicine-Western Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), St Albans, Victoria, Australia
| | - Petra Marusic
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), St Albans, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sean Leng
- Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Immune Remodeling, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ralph Nanan
- Nepean Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gustavo Duque
- Medicine-Western Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), St Albans, Victoria, Australia
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11
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Jin L, Dong H, Sun D, Wang L, Qu L, Lin S, Yang Q, Zhang X. Biological Functions and Applications of Antimicrobial Peptides. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2022; 23:226-247. [DOI: 10.2174/1389203723666220519155942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:
Despite antimicrobial resistance, which is attributed to the misuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics,
antibiotics can indiscriminately kill pathogenic and beneficial microorganisms. These events
disrupt the delicate microbial balance in both humans and animals, leading to secondary infections
and other negative effects. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are functional natural biopolymers in
plants and animals. Due to their excellent antimicrobial activities and absence of microbial resistance,
AMPs have attracted enormous research attention. We reviewed the antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral,
antiparasitic, as well as antitumor properties of AMPs and research progress on AMPs. In addition,
we highlighted various recommendations and potential research areas for their progress and
challenges in practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libo Jin
- Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University,
Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Hao Dong
- College of Life Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118,
China
| | - Da Sun
- Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University,
Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University,
Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Linkai Qu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118,
China
| | - Sue Lin
- Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University,
Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Qinsi Yang
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Xingxing Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology
and Metabolism, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
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12
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Tomaszewska A, Rustecka A, Lipińska-Opałka A, Piprek RP, Kloc M, Kalicki B, Kubiak JZ. The Role of Vitamin D in COVID-19 and the Impact of Pandemic Restrictions on Vitamin D Blood Content. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:836738. [PMID: 35264968 PMCID: PMC8899722 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.836738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D is a hormone regulating the immune system and playing a pivotal role in responses to microbial infections. It regulates inflammatory processes by influencing the transcription of immune-response genes in macrophages, T cells, and dendritic cells. The proven role of vitamin D in many infectious diseases of the respiratory tract indicated that vitamin D should also play a role in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Vitamin D inhibits cytokine storm by switching the pro-inflammatory Th1 and Th17 to the anti-inflammatory Th2 and Treg response. Vitamin D is therefore expected to play a role in preventing, relieving symptoms, or treating SARS-CoV-2 infection symptoms, including severe pneumonia. There are several possible mechanisms by which vitamin D may reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection, such as induction of the transcription of cathelicidin and defensin. Also a nongenomic antiviral action of vitamin D and lumisterol, the molecule closely related to vitamin D, was reported. Despite this enormous progress, currently, there is still insufficient scientific evidence to support the claim that vitamin D supplementation may help treat COVID-19 infection. The pandemic restrictions were also shown to impact vitamin D uptake by limiting exposure to sunlight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Tomaszewska
- Pediatric, Nephrology, and Allergology Clinic, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Rustecka
- Pediatric, Nephrology, and Allergology Clinic, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Rafal P Piprek
- Department of Comparative Anatomy, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Kloc
- The Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Surgery, The Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Genetics, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Bolesław Kalicki
- Pediatric, Nephrology, and Allergology Clinic, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jacek Z Kubiak
- Faculty of Medicine, CNRS, UMR 6290, Institute of Genetics and Development of Rennes, University Rennes, Rennes, France.,Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
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13
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Muhammad A, Forcados GE, Sani H, Ndidi US, Adamu A, Katsayal BS, Sadiq IZ, Abubakar YS, Sulaiman I, Abubakar IB, Yusuf AP, Malami I, Ibrahim S, Abubakar MB. Epigenetic modifications associated with genes implicated in cytokine storm: The potential biotherapeutic effects of vitamins and minerals in COVID‐19. J Food Biochem 2022; 46:e14079. [DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.14079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aliyu Muhammad
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Nigeria
| | | | - Hadiza Sani
- Department of Medicine Kaduna State University Kaduna Nigeria
| | - Uche Samuel Ndidi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Nigeria
| | - Auwal Adamu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Nigeria
| | | | - Idris Zubairu Sadiq
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Nigeria
| | | | - Ibrahim Sulaiman
- Department of Human Physiology Federal University Dutse Dutse Nigeria
| | | | | | - Ibrahim Malami
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Ethnopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto Nigeria
| | - Sani Ibrahim
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Nigeria
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14
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Sarohan AR, Kızıl M, İnkaya AÇ, Mahmud S, Akram M, Cen O. A novel hypothesis for COVID-19 pathogenesis: Retinol depletion and retinoid signaling disorder. Cell Signal 2021; 87:110121. [PMID: 34438017 PMCID: PMC8380544 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. In less than a year and a half, more than 200 million people have been infected and more than four million have died. Despite some improvement in the treatment strategies, no definitive treatment protocol has been developed. The pathogenesis of the disease has not been clearly elucidated yet. A clear understanding of its pathogenesis will help develop effective vaccines and drugs. The immunopathogenesis of COVID-19 is characteristic with acute respiratory distress syndrome and multiorgan involvement with impaired Type I interferon response and hyperinflammation. The destructive systemic effects of COVID-19 cannot be explained simply by the viral tropism through the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 receptors. In addition, the recently identified mutations cannot fully explain the defect in all cases of Type I interferon synthesis. We hypothesize that retinol depletion and resulting impaired retinoid signaling play a central role in the COVID-19 pathogenesis that is characteristic for dysregulated immune system, defect in Type I interferon synthesis, severe inflammatory process, and destructive systemic multiorgan involvement. Viral RNA recognition mechanism through RIG-I receptors can quickly consume a large amount of the body's retinoid reserve, which causes the retinol levels to fall below the normal serum levels. This causes retinoid insufficiency and impaired retinoid signaling, which leads to interruption in Type I interferon synthesis and an excessive inflammation. Therefore, reconstitution of the retinoid signaling may prove to be a valid strategy for management of COVID-19 as well for some other chronic, degenerative, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aziz Rodan Sarohan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicina Plus Medical Center, 75. Yıl Mah., İstiklal Cad. 1305 Sk., No: 16 Sultangazi, İstanbul, Turkey.
| | - Murat Kızıl
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Dicle University. Diyarbakır, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Çağkan İnkaya
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06230, Turkey
| | - Shokhan Mahmud
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
| | - Muhammad Akram
- Department of Eastern Medicine Government College, University Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Osman Cen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States of America; Department of Natural Sciences and Engineering, John Wood College, Quincy, IL, United States of America
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15
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Skrajnowska D, Brumer M, Kankowska S, Matysek M, Miazio N, Bobrowska-Korczak B. Covid 19: Diet Composition and Health. Nutrients 2021; 13:2980. [PMID: 34578858 PMCID: PMC8472186 DOI: 10.3390/nu13092980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes the disease coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The cumulative number of cases reported globally is now nearly 197 million and the number of cumulative deaths is 4.2 million (26 July to 1 August 2021). Currently we are focusing primarily on keeping a safe distance from others, washing our hands, and wearing masks, and the question of the effects of diet and diet-dependent risk factors remains outside the center of attention. Nevertheless, numerous studies indicate that diet can play an important role in the course of COVID-19. In this paper, based on select scientific reports, we discuss the structure and replication cycle of SARS-CoV-2, risk factors, dietary standards for sick patients, and the roles of the microbiome and dietary components supporting the immune system in preventing COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Barbara Bobrowska-Korczak
- Department of Bromatology, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (D.S.); (M.B.); (S.K.); (M.M.); (N.M.)
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16
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Das S, Pearson M, Taylor K, Bouchet V, Møller GL, Hall TO, Strivens M, Tzeng KTH, Gardner S. Combinatorial Analysis of Phenotypic and Clinical Risk Factors Associated With Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients. Front Digit Health 2021; 3:660809. [PMID: 34713134 PMCID: PMC8521999 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2021.660809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterization of the risk factors associated with variability in the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 is important. Our previous study using genomic data identified a potential role of calcium and lipid homeostasis in severe COVID-19. This study aimed to identify similar combinations of features (disease signatures) associated with severe disease in a separate patient population with purely clinical and phenotypic data. The PrecisionLife combinatorial analytics platform was used to analyze features derived from de-identified health records in the UnitedHealth Group COVID-19 Data Suite. The platform identified and analyzed 836 disease signatures in two cohorts associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 hospitalization. Cohort 1 was formed of cases hospitalized with COVID-19 and a set of controls who developed mild symptoms. Cohort 2 included Cohort 1 individuals for whom additional laboratory test data was available. We found several disease signatures where lower levels of lipids were found co-occurring with lower levels of serum calcium and leukocytes. Many of the low lipid signatures were independent of statin use and 50% of cases with hypocalcemia signatures were reported with vitamin D deficiency. These signatures may be attributed to similar mechanisms linking calcium and lipid signaling where changes in cellular lipid levels during inflammation and infection affect calcium signaling in host cells. This study and our previous genomics analysis demonstrate that combinatorial analysis can identify disease signatures associated with the risk of developing severe COVID-19 separately from genomic or clinical data in different populations. Both studies suggest associations between calcium and lipid signaling in severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayoni Das
- PrecisionLife Ltd., Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - Taryn O. Hall
- OptumLabs at UnitedHealth Group, Minnetonka, MN, United States
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17
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Clemente-Suárez VJ, Ramos-Campo DJ, Mielgo-Ayuso J, Dalamitros AA, Nikolaidis PA, Hormeño-Holgado A, Tornero-Aguilera JF. Nutrition in the Actual COVID-19 Pandemic. A Narrative Review. Nutrients 2021; 13:1924. [PMID: 34205138 PMCID: PMC8228835 DOI: 10.3390/nu13061924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has shocked world health authorities generating a global health crisis. The present study discusses the main finding in nutrition sciences associated with COVID-19 in the literature. We conducted a consensus critical review using primary sources, scientific articles, and secondary bibliographic indexes, databases, and web pages. The method was a narrative literature review of the available literature regarding nutrition interventions and nutrition-related factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main search engines used in the present research were PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar. We found how the COVID-19 lockdown promoted unhealthy dietary changes and increases in body weight of the population, showing obesity and low physical activity levels as increased risk factors of COVID-19 affection and physiopathology. In addition, hospitalized COVID-19 patients presented malnutrition and deficiencies in vitamin C, D, B12 selenium, iron, omega-3, and medium and long-chain fatty acids highlighting the potential health effect of vitamin C and D interventions. Further investigations are needed to show the complete role and implications of nutrition both in the prevention and in the treatment of patients with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez
- Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Tajo Street, s/n, 28670 Madrid, Spain;
- Grupo de Investigación en Cultura, Educación y Sociedad, Universidad de la Costa, 080002 Barranquilla, Colombia
- Studies Centre in Applied Combat (CESCA), 45007 Toledo, Spain;
| | | | - Juan Mielgo-Ayuso
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain;
| | - Athanasios A. Dalamitros
- Laboratory of Evaluation of Human Biological Performance, School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | | | | | - Jose Francisco Tornero-Aguilera
- Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Tajo Street, s/n, 28670 Madrid, Spain;
- Studies Centre in Applied Combat (CESCA), 45007 Toledo, Spain;
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18
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Fakhri S, Nouri Z, Moradi SZ, Akkol EK, Piri S, Sobarzo-Sánchez E, Farzaei MH, Echeverría J. Targeting Multiple Signal Transduction Pathways of SARS-CoV-2: Approaches to COVID-19 Therapeutic Candidates. Molecules 2021; 26:2917. [PMID: 34068970 PMCID: PMC8156180 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26102917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the complicated pathogenic pathways of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), related medicinal therapies have remained a clinical challenge. COVID-19 highlights the urgent need to develop mechanistic pathogenic pathways and effective agents for preventing/treating future epidemics. As a result, the destructive pathways of COVID-19 are in the line with clinical symptoms induced by severe acute coronary syndrome (SARS), including lung failure and pneumonia. Accordingly, revealing the exact signaling pathways, including inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy, as well as relative representative mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Bax/caspases, and Beclin/LC3, respectively, will pave the road for combating COVID-19. Prevailing host factors and multiple steps of SARS-CoV-2 attachment/entry, replication, and assembly/release would be hopeful strategies against COVID-19. This is a comprehensive review of the destructive signaling pathways and host-pathogen interaction of SARS-CoV-2, as well as related therapeutic targets and treatment strategies, including potential natural products-based candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajad Fakhri
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6734667149, Iran; (S.F.); (S.Z.M.); (S.P.)
| | - Zeinab Nouri
- Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6714415153, Iran;
| | - Seyed Zachariah Moradi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6734667149, Iran; (S.F.); (S.Z.M.); (S.P.)
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6734667149, Iran
| | - Esra Küpeli Akkol
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Etiler, Ankara 06330, Turkey;
| | - Sana Piri
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6734667149, Iran; (S.F.); (S.Z.M.); (S.P.)
| | - Eduardo Sobarzo-Sánchez
- Instituto de Investigación y Postgrado, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Central de Chile, Santiago 8330507, Chile
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Mohammad Hosein Farzaei
- Medical Technology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6734667149, Iran
| | - Javier Echeverría
- Departamento de Ciencias del Ambiente, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago 9170022, Chile
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19
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McCullough PJ, McCullough WP, Lehrer D, Travers JB, Repas SJ. Oral and Topical Vitamin D, Sunshine, and UVB Phototherapy Safely Control Psoriasis in Patients with Normal Pretreatment Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations: A Literature Review and Discussion of Health Implications. Nutrients 2021; 13:1511. [PMID: 33947070 PMCID: PMC8146035 DOI: 10.3390/nu13051511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D, sunshine and UVB phototherapy were first reported in the early 1900s to control psoriasis, cure rickets and cure tuberculosis (TB). Vitamin D also controlled asthma and rheumatoid arthritis with intakes ranging from 60,000 to 600,000 International Units (IU)/day. In the 1980s, interest in treating psoriasis with vitamin D rekindled. Since 1985 four different oral forms of vitamin D (D2, D3, 1-hydroxyvitaminD3 (1(OH)D3) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitaminD3 (calcitriol)) and several topical formulations have been reported safe and effective treatments for psoriasis-as has UVB phototherapy and sunshine. In this review we show that many pre-treatment serum 25(OH)D concentrations fall within the current range of normal, while many post-treatment concentrations fall outside the upper limit of this normal (100 ng/mL). Yet, psoriasis patients showed significant clinical improvement without complications using these treatments. Current estimates of vitamin D sufficiency appear to underestimate serum 25(OH)D concentrations required for optimal health in psoriasis patients, while concentrations associated with adverse events appear to be much higher than current estimates of safe serum 25(OH)D concentrations. Based on these observations, the therapeutic index for vitamin D needs to be reexamined in the treatment of psoriasis and other diseases strongly linked to vitamin D deficiency, including COVID-19 infections, which may also improve safely with sufficient vitamin D intake or UVB exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J. McCullough
- Medical Services Department, Summit Behavioral Healthcare, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, 1101 Summit Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45237, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, OH 45435, USA;
| | | | - Douglas Lehrer
- Department of Psychiatry, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, OH 45435, USA;
| | - Jeffrey B. Travers
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, OH 45435, USA;
| | - Steven J. Repas
- Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, OH 45435, USA;
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20
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Dzobo K. Coronavirus Disease 19 and Future Ecological Crises: Hopes from Epigenomics and Unraveling Genome Regulation in Humans and Infectious Agents. OMICS-A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2021; 25:269-278. [PMID: 33904782 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2021.0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
With coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), we have witnessed a shift from public health to planetary health and a growing recognition of the importance of systems science in developing effective solutions against pandemics in the 21st century. COVID-19 and the history of frequent infectious outbreaks in the last two decades suggest that COVID-19 is likely a dry run for future ecological crises. Now is the right time to plan ahead and deploy the armamentarium of systems science scholarship for planetary health. The science of epigenomics, which investigates both genetic and nongenetic traits regarding heritable phenotypic alterations, and new approaches to understanding genome regulation in humans and pathogens offer veritable prospects to boost the global scientific capacities to innovate therapeutics and diagnostics against novel and existing infectious agents. Several reversible epigenetic alterations, such as chromatin remodeling and histone methylation, control and influence gene expression. COVID-19 lethality is linked, in part, to the cytokine storm, age, and status of the immune system in a given person. Additionally, due to reduced human mobility and daily activities, effects of the pandemic on the environment have been both positive and negative. For example, reduction in environmental pollution and lesser extraction from nature have potential positive corollaries on water and air quality. Negative effects include pollution as plastics and other materials were disposed in unconventional places and spaces in the course of the pandemic. I discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with the science of epigenomics, specifically with an eye to inform and prevent future ecological crises and pandemics that are looming on the horizon in the 21st century. In particular, this article underscores that epigenetics of both viruses and the host may influence virus infectivity and severity of attendant disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Dzobo
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town Component, Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Medical Biochemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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21
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Thirumdas R, Kothakota A, Pandiselvam R, Bahrami A, Barba FJ. Role of food nutrients and supplementation in fighting against viral infections and boosting immunity: A review. Trends Food Sci Technol 2021; 110:66-77. [PMID: 33558789 PMCID: PMC7857987 DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2021.01.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The viral infections can be highly contagious and easily transmissible, which even can lead to a pandemic, like the recent COVID-19 outbreak, causing massive deaths worldwide. While, still the best practical way to prevent the transmission of viruses is to practice self-sanitation and follow social distancing principles, enhancing the individual's immunity through the consumption of proper foods containing balanced nutrients can have significant result against viral infections. Foods containing nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, few polysaccharides, and some non-nutrients (i.e. polyphenols) have shown therapeutic potential against the function of viruses and can increase the immunity of people. SCOPE AND APPROACH The results of conducted works aiming for studying the potential antiviral characteristics of diverse groups of foods and food's nutrients (in terms of polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals) are critically discussed. KEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION Nutrients, besides playing an important role in maintaining normal physiology of human's body and healthiness, are also required for enhancing the immunity of the body and can be effective against viral infections. They can present antiviral capacity either by entering into the defensive mechanism directly through interfering with the target viruses, or indirectly through activating the cells associated with the adaptive immune system. During the current situation of COVID-19 pandemic (the lack of proper curative viral drug), enhancing the immunity of individual's body through proposing the appropriate diet (rich in both macro and micro-nutrients) is one of few practical preventive measures available in fighting against Coronaviruses, this significant health-threatening virus, as well as other viruses in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Thirumdas
- Department of Food Process Technology, College of Food Science & Technology, PJTSAU, Telangana, India
| | - Anjinelyulu Kothakota
- Agro-Processing & Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Trivandrum, 695 019, Kerala, India
| | - R Pandiselvam
- Physiology, Biochemistry and Post-Harvest Technology Division, ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod, 671 124, Kerala, India
| | - Akbar Bahrami
- Center for Excellence in Post-Harvest Technologies, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, 28081, USA
| | - Francisco J Barba
- Nutrition and Food Science Area, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Science, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitat de València, València, Spain
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22
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Vitamin D and its deficiency have recently been suspected to be involved in increased susceptibility and negative outcomes of COVID-19. This assumption was based on the well known immunomodulatory actions of vitamin D and on the consistent finding of low levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Moreover, several studies reported a correlation between 25OHD levels and different clinical outcomes of the disease. AIM Aim of the current review was to approach the topic of vitamin D and COVID-19 from a different perspective summarizing the data which led to the evidence of the existence of an endocrine phenotype of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS This review analyzed in the light of the current knowledge the possibility that several endocrine manifestations of COVID-19 could be holistically interpreted in the context of an inadequate vitamin D status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Giustina
- Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Sciences, San Raffaele, Vita-Salute University and IRCCS Hospital, Milan, Italy.
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23
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Jain SK, Micinski D, Parsanathan R. l-Cysteine Stimulates the Effect of Vitamin D on Inhibition of Oxidative Stress, IL-8, and MCP-1 Secretion in High Glucose Treated Monocytes. J Am Coll Nutr 2021; 40:327-332. [PMID: 33596158 DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2020.1850371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is common in the general population and diabetic patients, and supplementation with vitamin D is widely used to help lower oxidative stress and inflammation. The cytokine storm in SARS-CoV2 infection has been linked with both diabetes and Vitamin D deficiency. This study examined the hypothesis that supplementation with vitamin D, in combination with l-cysteine (LC), is better at reducing oxidative stress and thereby, more effective, at inhibiting the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in U937 monocytes exposed to high glucose concentrations. Methods: U937 monocytes were pretreated with 1,25 (OH)2 vitamin D (VD, 10 nM) or LC (250 µM) or VD + LC for 24 h and then exposed to control or high glucose (HG, 25 mM) for another 24 h. Results: There were significantly greater reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in monocytes treated with HG than those in controls. Combined supplementation with VD and LC showed a more significant reduction in ROS (46%) in comparison with treatment with LC (19%) or VD (26%) alone in monocytes exposed to HG. Similarly, VD supplementation, together with LC, caused a more significant inhibition in the secretion of IL-8 (36% versus 16%) and MCP-1 (46% versus 26%) in comparison with that of VD (10 nM) alone in high-glucose treated monocytes. Conclusions: These results suggest that combined supplementation with vitamin D and LC has the potential to be more effective than either VD or LC alone in lowering the risk of oxidative stress and inflammation associated with type 2 diabetes or COVID-19 infection. Further, this combined vitamin D with LC/N-acetylcysteine may be a potent alternative therapy for SARS-CoV2 infected subjects. This approach can prevent cellular damage due to cytokine storm in comorbid systemic inflammatory conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushil K Jain
- Department of Pediatrics and Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - David Micinski
- Department of Pediatrics and Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Rajesh Parsanathan
- Department of Pediatrics and Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
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24
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Chilamakuri R, Agarwal S. COVID-19: Characteristics and Therapeutics. Cells 2021; 10:206. [PMID: 33494237 PMCID: PMC7909801 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel coronavirus (COVID-19 or 2019-nCoV or SARS-CoV-2), which suddenly emerged in December 2019 is still haunting the entire human race and has affected not only the healthcare system but also the global socioeconomic balances. COVID-19 was quickly designated as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization as there have been about 98.0 million confirmed cases and about 2.0 million confirmed deaths, as of January 2021. Although, our understanding of COVID-19 has significantly increased since its outbreak, and multiple treatment approaches and pharmacological interventions have been tested or are currently under development to mitigate its risk-factors. Recently, some vaccine candidates showed around 95% clinical efficacy, and now receiving emergency use approvals in different countries. US FDA recently approved BNT162 and mRNA-1273 vaccines developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna Inc. for emergency use and vaccination in the USA. In this review, we present a succinct overview of the SARS-CoV-2 virus structure, molecular mechanisms of infection, COVID-19 epidemiology, diagnosis, and clinical manifestations. We also systematize different treatment strategies and clinical trials initiated after the pandemic outbreak, based on viral infection and replication mechanisms. Additionally, we reviewed the novel pharmacological intervention approaches and vaccine development strategies against COVID-19. We speculate that the current pandemic emergency will trigger detailed studies of coronaviruses, their mechanism of infection, development of systematic drug repurposing approaches, and novel drug discoveries for current and future pandemic outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Saurabh Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John’s University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY 11439, USA;
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25
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Cutolo M, Paolino S, Smith V. Evidences for a protective role of vitamin D in COVID-19. RMD Open 2020; 6:e001454. [PMID: 33372031 PMCID: PMC7771215 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2020-001454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Cutolo
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Division of Rheumatology, University of Genoa, Genova, Liguria, Italy
- Clinical Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic Hospital, Genova, Italy
| | - Sabrina Paolino
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology and Division of Rheumatology, University of Genoa, Genova, Liguria, Italy
| | - Vanessa Smith
- Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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26
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Ferrari D, Locatelli M, Briguglio M, Lombardi G. Is there a link between vitamin D status, SARS-CoV-2 infection risk and COVID-19 severity? Cell Biochem Funct 2020; 39:35-47. [PMID: 33137851 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of COVID-19 emerged in December 2019 rapidly spread across the globe and has become pandemic. Little is known about the protective factors of this infection, which is equally distributed between genders and different ages while severe and poor prognosis cases are strongly associated to old males and the presence of comorbidities. Thus, preventive measures aiming at reducing the number of infection and/or their severity are strongly needed. Vitamin D has got great attention and has been claimed as potentially protective against the infection since it may be associated with immunocompetence, inflammation, aging, and those diseases involved in determining the outcomes of COVID-19. This narrative review aims at collecting the literature available on the involvement of the vitamin D status in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and the putative utility of vitamin D supplementation in the therapeutics. It emerges that a poor vitamin D status seems to associate with an increased risk of infection whereas age, gender and comorbidities seem to play a more important role in COVID-19 severity and mortality. While randomized control trials are needed to better inquire into this topic, vitamin D supplementation may be useful beside its potential effects on SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matteo Briguglio
- Scientific Direction, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milano, Italy
| | - Giovanni Lombardi
- Laboratory of Experimental Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milano, Italy.,Department of Athletics, Strength and Conditioning, Poznań University of Physical Education, Poznań, Poland
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27
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Atlante S, Mongelli A, Barbi V, Martelli F, Farsetti A, Gaetano C. The epigenetic implication in coronavirus infection and therapy. Clin Epigenetics 2020; 12:156. [PMID: 33087172 PMCID: PMC7576975 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-020-00946-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics is a relatively new field of science that studies the genetic and non-genetic aspects related to heritable phenotypic changes, frequently caused by environmental and metabolic factors. In the host, the epigenetic machinery can regulate gene expression through a series of reversible epigenetic modifications, such as histone methylation and acetylation, DNA/RNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNAs. The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a highly transmittable and pathogenic viral infection. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which emerged in Wuhan, China, and spread worldwide, causes it. COVID-19 severity and consequences largely depend on patient age and health status. In this review, we will summarize and comparatively analyze how viruses regulate the host epigenome. Mainly, we will be focusing on highly pathogenic respiratory RNA virus infections such as coronaviruses. In this context, epigenetic alterations might play an essential role in the onset of coronavirus disease complications. Although many therapeutic approaches are under study, more research is urgently needed to identify effective vaccine or safer chemotherapeutic drugs, including epigenetic drugs, to cope with this viral outbreak and to develop pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Atlante
- Laboratorio di Epigenetica, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Via Maugeri 4, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessia Mongelli
- Laboratorio di Epigenetica, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Via Maugeri 4, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Veronica Barbi
- Laboratorio di Epigenetica, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Via Maugeri 4, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Fabio Martelli
- Laboratorio di Cardiologia Molecolare, Policlinico San Donato IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonella Farsetti
- Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science “A. Ruberti” (IASI), National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Gaetano
- Laboratorio di Epigenetica, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Via Maugeri 4, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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