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Altomare A, Giovanetti M, Baldaro F, Ciccozzi M, Cicala M, Guarino MPL. The Prevention of Viral Infections: The Role of Intestinal Microbiota and Nutritional Factors. Nutrients 2024; 16:2445. [PMID: 39125326 PMCID: PMC11314041 DOI: 10.3390/nu16152445] [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: 07/04/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Viral infections pose significant global challenges due to their rapid transmissibility. Therefore, preventing and treating these infections promptly is crucial to curbing their spread. This review focuses on the vital link between nutrition and viral infections, underscoring how dietary factors influence immune system modulation. Malnutrition, characterized by deficiencies in essential nutrients such as vitamins A, C, D, E, and zinc, can impair the immune system, thereby increasing vulnerability to viral infections and potentially leading to more severe health outcomes that complicate recovery. Additionally, emerging evidence highlights the role of commensal microbiota in immune regulation, which can affect hosts' susceptibility to infections. Specific dietary components, including bioactive compounds, vitamins, and probiotics, can beneficially modify gut microbiota, thus enhancing immune response and offering protection against viral infections. This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which dietary adjustments and gut microbiota impact the pathogenesis of viral infections, with a particular focus on strengthening the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Altomare
- Department of Sciences and Technologies for Sustainable Development and One Health, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.A.); (M.G.)
- Unit of Gastroenterology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.P.L.G.)
| | - Marta Giovanetti
- Department of Sciences and Technologies for Sustainable Development and One Health, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy; (A.A.); (M.G.)
- Instituto Rene Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Belo Horizonte 30190-002, Brazil
- Climate Amplified Diseases and Epidemics (CLIMADE), Bairro Floresta 31110-370, Brazil
| | - Francesca Baldaro
- Unit of Gastroenterology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.P.L.G.)
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy;
| | - Michele Cicala
- Unit of Gastroenterology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.P.L.G.)
- Unit of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, Fondazione Policlinico Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Pier Luca Guarino
- Unit of Gastroenterology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.P.L.G.)
- Unit of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, Fondazione Policlinico Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy
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Budelon Gonçalves JI, Lermen FM, Gonçalves JB, Zanirati G, Machado DC, Marques HM, Erwig HS, Becker BM, Wagner F, Boff MO, Rocha MG, Da Costa JC, Marinowic ED. Nutritional and Inflammatory Markers Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the Elderly. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7749. [PMID: 39062991 PMCID: PMC11277511 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147749] [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: 05/19/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has posed unprecedented challenges to global health systems, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the elderly. Understanding the interplay between anthropometric markers, molecular profiles, and disease severity is crucial for effective clinical management and intervention strategies. We conducted a cohort study comprising 43 elderly COVID-19 patients admitted to São Lucas Hospital, PUCRS, Brazil. Anthropometric measurements, including calf circumference (CC) and abdominal circumference (AC), were assessed alongside molecular analyses of peripheral blood samples obtained within 48 h of hospital admission. Sociodemographic data were collected from electronic medical records for comprehensive analysis. Our findings revealed a possible relationship between overweight status, increased abdominal adiposity, and prolonged hospitalization duration, alongside heightened disease severity. We also found no significant correlations between BMI, vitamin D levels, and clinical outcomes. Elevated oxygen requirements were observed in both normal and overweight individuals, with the latter necessitating prolonged oxygen therapy. Molecular analyses revealed changes in the inflammatory profile regarding the outcome of the patients. Our study highlights the critical importance of both anthropometric and molecular markers in predicting disease severity and clinical outcomes in elderly individuals with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Ismael Budelon Gonçalves
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil; (J.I.B.G.); (F.M.L.); (J.B.G.); (G.Z.); (D.C.M.); (H.M.M.); (H.S.E.); (B.M.B.); (F.W.); (M.O.B.); (M.G.R.); (J.C.D.C.)
| | - Fernanda Muller Lermen
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil; (J.I.B.G.); (F.M.L.); (J.B.G.); (G.Z.); (D.C.M.); (H.M.M.); (H.S.E.); (B.M.B.); (F.W.); (M.O.B.); (M.G.R.); (J.C.D.C.)
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90619-900, RS, Brazil
| | - Júlia Budelon Gonçalves
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil; (J.I.B.G.); (F.M.L.); (J.B.G.); (G.Z.); (D.C.M.); (H.M.M.); (H.S.E.); (B.M.B.); (F.W.); (M.O.B.); (M.G.R.); (J.C.D.C.)
| | - Gabriele Zanirati
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil; (J.I.B.G.); (F.M.L.); (J.B.G.); (G.Z.); (D.C.M.); (H.M.M.); (H.S.E.); (B.M.B.); (F.W.); (M.O.B.); (M.G.R.); (J.C.D.C.)
| | - Denise Cantarelli Machado
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil; (J.I.B.G.); (F.M.L.); (J.B.G.); (G.Z.); (D.C.M.); (H.M.M.); (H.S.E.); (B.M.B.); (F.W.); (M.O.B.); (M.G.R.); (J.C.D.C.)
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90619-900, RS, Brazil
| | - Helena Morsch Marques
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil; (J.I.B.G.); (F.M.L.); (J.B.G.); (G.Z.); (D.C.M.); (H.M.M.); (H.S.E.); (B.M.B.); (F.W.); (M.O.B.); (M.G.R.); (J.C.D.C.)
| | - Helena Scartassini Erwig
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil; (J.I.B.G.); (F.M.L.); (J.B.G.); (G.Z.); (D.C.M.); (H.M.M.); (H.S.E.); (B.M.B.); (F.W.); (M.O.B.); (M.G.R.); (J.C.D.C.)
| | - Bruno Maestri Becker
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil; (J.I.B.G.); (F.M.L.); (J.B.G.); (G.Z.); (D.C.M.); (H.M.M.); (H.S.E.); (B.M.B.); (F.W.); (M.O.B.); (M.G.R.); (J.C.D.C.)
| | - Fernanda Wagner
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil; (J.I.B.G.); (F.M.L.); (J.B.G.); (G.Z.); (D.C.M.); (H.M.M.); (H.S.E.); (B.M.B.); (F.W.); (M.O.B.); (M.G.R.); (J.C.D.C.)
| | - Marina Ottmann Boff
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil; (J.I.B.G.); (F.M.L.); (J.B.G.); (G.Z.); (D.C.M.); (H.M.M.); (H.S.E.); (B.M.B.); (F.W.); (M.O.B.); (M.G.R.); (J.C.D.C.)
| | - Murilo Gomes Rocha
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil; (J.I.B.G.); (F.M.L.); (J.B.G.); (G.Z.); (D.C.M.); (H.M.M.); (H.S.E.); (B.M.B.); (F.W.); (M.O.B.); (M.G.R.); (J.C.D.C.)
| | - Jaderson Costa Da Costa
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil; (J.I.B.G.); (F.M.L.); (J.B.G.); (G.Z.); (D.C.M.); (H.M.M.); (H.S.E.); (B.M.B.); (F.W.); (M.O.B.); (M.G.R.); (J.C.D.C.)
| | - e Daniel Marinowic
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90610-000, RS, Brazil; (J.I.B.G.); (F.M.L.); (J.B.G.); (G.Z.); (D.C.M.); (H.M.M.); (H.S.E.); (B.M.B.); (F.W.); (M.O.B.); (M.G.R.); (J.C.D.C.)
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre 90619-900, RS, Brazil
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Wimalawansa SJ. Physiology of Vitamin D-Focusing on Disease Prevention. Nutrients 2024; 16:1666. [PMID: 38892599 PMCID: PMC11174958 DOI: 10.3390/nu16111666] [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: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D is a crucial micronutrient, critical to human health, and influences many physiological processes. Oral and skin-derived vitamin D is hydroxylated to form calcifediol (25(OH)D) in the liver, then to 1,25(OH)2D (calcitriol) in the kidney. Alongside the parathyroid hormone, calcitriol regulates neuro-musculoskeletal activities by tightly controlling blood-ionized calcium concentrations through intestinal calcium absorption, renal tubular reabsorption, and skeletal mineralization. Beyond its classical roles, evidence underscores the impact of vitamin D on the prevention and reduction of the severity of diverse conditions such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, autoimmune disorders, infection, and cancer. Peripheral target cells, like immune cells, obtain vitamin D and 25(OH)D through concentration-dependent diffusion from the circulation. Calcitriol is synthesized intracellularly in these cells from these precursors, which is crucial for their protective physiological actions. Its deficiency exacerbates inflammation, oxidative stress, and increased susceptibility to metabolic disorders and infections; deficiency also causes premature deaths. Thus, maintaining optimal serum levels above 40 ng/mL is vital for health and disease prevention. However, achieving it requires several times more than the government's recommended vitamin D doses. Despite extensive published research, recommended daily intake and therapeutic serum 25(OH)D concentrations have lagged and are outdated, preventing people from benefiting. Evidence suggests that maintaining the 25(OH)D concentrations above 40 ng/mL with a range of 40-80 ng/mL in the population is optimal for disease prevention and reducing morbidities and mortality without adverse effects. The recommendation for individuals is to maintain serum 25(OH)D concentrations above 50 ng/mL (125 nmol/L) for optimal clinical outcomes. Insights from metabolomics, transcriptomics, and epigenetics offer promise for better clinical outcomes from vitamin D sufficiency. Given its broader positive impact on human health with minimal cost and little adverse effects, proactively integrating vitamin D assessment and supplementation into clinical practice promises significant benefits, including reduced healthcare costs. This review synthesized recent novel findings related to the physiology of vitamin D that have significant implications for disease prevention.
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Sarau OS, Rachabattuni HC, Gadde ST, Daruvuri SP, Marusca LM, Horhat FG, Fildan AP, Tanase E, Prodan-Barbulescu C, Horhat DI. Exploring the Preventive Potential of Vitamin D against Respiratory Infections in Preschool-Age Children: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients 2024; 16:1595. [PMID: 38892528 PMCID: PMC11173803 DOI: 10.3390/nu16111595] [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: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent studies hypothesized that vitamin D supplementation and subsequent higher 25(OH)D serum levels could protect against respiratory infections in children. This cross-sectional study, conducted from May 2022 to December 2023 in Timisoara, Romania, aimed to evaluate the potential influence of vitamin D supplementation on the incidence of respiratory infections among preschool-age children. This study examined 215 children over 18 months who were split into a group of patients with recurrent respiratory infections (n = 141) and another group of patients with only one respiratory tract infection in the past 12 months (n = 74). Patients were evaluated based on their serum vitamin D levels 25(OH)D, demographic characteristics, and health outcomes. The study identified that preschool-age children with recurrent infections had significantly lower mean vitamin D concentrations (24.5 ng/mL) compared to the control group (29.7 ng/mL, p < 0.001). Additionally, a higher proportion of vitamin D deficiency was observed among children with recurrent infections in the past 12 months. Notably, vitamin D supplementation above 600 IU/week significantly reduced the likelihood of respiratory infections, evidenced by an odds ratio of 0.523 (p < 0.001), indicating that preschool-age children receiving a dose of vitamin D higher than 600 IU/week were about half as likely to experience respiratory infections compared to those who did not. Furthermore, no significant associations were found between sun exposure, daily sunscreen use, and the incidence of respiratory infections. Conclusively, this study underscores the potential role of vitamin D in helping the immune system against respiratory infections in preschool-age children. The observed protective effect of vitamin D supplementation suggests a potential public health strategy to mitigate the incidence of respiratory infections in preschool children on top of the already known benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oana Silvana Sarau
- Department V, Internal Medicine, Discipline of Hematology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
- Doctoral School, ‘’Victor Babes’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (E.T.); (C.P.-B.)
| | - Hari Charan Rachabattuni
- Faculty of General Medicine, Dr. Y.S.R. University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada 520008, India;
| | - Sai Teja Gadde
- Faculty of General Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Mangalagiri 522503, India;
| | - Sai Praveen Daruvuri
- Faculty of General Medicine, Bukovinian State Medical University, Teatralna Square, 2, 58002 Chernivtsi, Ukraine;
| | - Larisa Mihaela Marusca
- Doctoral School, ‘’Victor Babes’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (E.T.); (C.P.-B.)
- Laboratory Medicine, “Louis Turcanu” Emergency Hospital for Children, Doctor Iosif Nemoianu Street, 300011 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Florin George Horhat
- Department of Microbiology, Multidisciplinary Research Center on Antimicrobial Resistance (MULTI-REZ), “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Ariadna Petronela Fildan
- Department of Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, “Ovidius” University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania;
| | - Elena Tanase
- Doctoral School, ‘’Victor Babes’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (E.T.); (C.P.-B.)
| | - Catalin Prodan-Barbulescu
- Doctoral School, ‘’Victor Babes’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (E.T.); (C.P.-B.)
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Discipline of Pulmonology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- IInd Surgery Clinic, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Delia Ioana Horhat
- Department of Ear-Nose-Throat, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
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Zhou F, Ma Z, Rashwan AK, Khaskheli MB, Abdelrady WA, Abdelaty NS, Hassan Askri SM, Zhao P, Chen W, Shamsi IH. Exploring the Interplay of Food Security, Safety, and Psychological Wellness in the COVID-19 Era: Managing Strategies for Resilience and Adaptation. Foods 2024; 13:1610. [PMID: 38890839 PMCID: PMC11172172 DOI: 10.3390/foods13111610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The global population surge presents a dual challenge and opportunity in the realms of food consumption, safety, and mental well-being. This necessitates a projected 70% increase in food production to meet growing demands. Amid this backdrop, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates these issues, underscoring the need for a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay between food consumption patterns and mental health dynamics during this crisis. Mitigating the spread of COVID-19 hinges upon rigorous adherence to personal hygiene practices and heightened disease awareness. Furthermore, maintaining stringent food quality and safety standards across both public and private sectors is imperative for safeguarding public health and containing viral transmission. Drawing upon existing research, this study delves into the pandemic's impact on mental health, food consumption habits, and food safety protocols. Through a comprehensive analysis, it aims to elucidate the nuanced relationship among food, food safety, and mental well-being amid the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting synergistic effects and dynamics that underpin holistic human welfare. Our study offers a novel approach by integrating psychological wellness with food security and safety. In conceiving this review, we aimed to comprehensively explore the intricate interplay among food security, safety, and psychological wellness amid the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our review is structured to encompass a thorough examination of existing research, synthesizing insights into the multifaceted relationships among food consumption patterns, mental health dynamics, and food safety protocols during the crisis. Our findings provide valuable insights and practical recommendations for enhancing food security and psychological well-being, thus supporting both academic research and real-world applications in crisis management and policy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanrui Zhou
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Highly Efficient Utilization of Forestry Biomass Resources in Southwest China, College of Material and Chemical Engineering, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Zhengxin Ma
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ahmed K. Rashwan
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Department of Food and Dairy Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt
| | | | - Wessam A. Abdelrady
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt
| | - Nesma S. Abdelaty
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Department of Dairy Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt
| | - Syed Muhammad Hassan Askri
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ping Zhao
- Key Laboratory of State Forestry and Grassland Administration on Highly Efficient Utilization of Forestry Biomass Resources in Southwest China, College of Material and Chemical Engineering, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
- Key Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Imran Haider Shamsi
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Demir FA, Bingöl G, Ersoy İ, Arslan A, Ersoy P, Demir M, Ünlü S. The Relationship between Frontal QRS-T Angle and Vitamin D Deficiency. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:776. [PMID: 38792959 PMCID: PMC11123170 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60050776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: A deficiency in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels is associated with a number of cardiovascular situations, such as high blood pressure, heart failure, atherosclerotic heart disease, and peripheral artery disease. The frontal QRS-T angle has recently been proposed as a marker of ventricular repolarization. A wider frontal QRS-T angle has been positively correlated with adverse cardiac events. The objective of our study was to examine the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and the frontal QRS-T angle. Materials and Methods: A total of 173 consecutive patients aged 18-60 years undergoing routine cardiology check-up evaluation, and not receiving concurrent vitamin D treatment were included in the study. Patients were classified in three groups, depending on their vitamin D levels, and categorized as follows: Group 1-deficient (<20 ng/mL), Group 2-insufficient (20-29 ng/mL), or Group 3-optimal (≥30 ng/mL). The frontal QRS-T angle was determined using the automated reports generated by the electrocardiography machine. Results: The average age of participants was 45.8 (±12.2) years, and 55.5% of participants were female (p < 0.001). Individuals with low vitamin D concentrations exhibited a wider frontal QRS-T angle. It was determined that vitamin D level is an independent predictive factor for the frontal QRS-T angle. Conclusions: As the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D decrease, repolarization time assessed by frontal QRS-T angle is widened. Our findings indicate that lower concentrations of vitamin D may increase the susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulya Avcı Demir
- Department of Cardiology, Medical Park Hospital, 07160 Antalya, Turkey;
- Department of Cardiology, Istinye University, 34010 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gülsüm Bingöl
- Department of Cardiology, Istanbul Arel University, 34537 Istanbul, Turkey;
- Department of Cardiology, Bahcelievler Memorial Hospital, 34180 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - İbrahim Ersoy
- Department of Cardiology, Kepez State Hospital, 07320 Antalya, Turkey;
| | - Akif Arslan
- Department of Cardiology, Medical Park Hospital, 07160 Antalya, Turkey;
- Department of Cardiology, Istinye University, 34010 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Pınar Ersoy
- Department of Family Medicine, Akdeniz University, 07070 Antalya, Turkey;
| | - Meltem Demir
- Department of Biochemistry, Medikal Park Hospital, 07160 Antalya, Turkey;
- Vocational School of Health Services, Antalya Bilim University, 07110 Antalya, Turkey
| | - Serkan Ünlü
- Department of Cardiology, Gazi University Medical Faculty, 06570 Ankara, Turkey;
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Totan M, Matacuta-Bogdan IO, Hasegan A, Maniu I. Vitamin D Levels in COVID-19 and NonCOVID-19 Pediatric Patients and Its Relationship with Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics. Biomedicines 2024; 12:905. [PMID: 38672258 PMCID: PMC11048677 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12040905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is a marker with an important role in regulating the inflammatory response. Low concentrations of this vitamin are often found among the population, correlated with increased risk of respiratory tract infections. The aim of the study is to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D levels and clinical and laboratory markers in children and adolescents hospitalized with and without COVID-19. A retrospective study, including all patients tested for SARS-CoV-2 and having vitamin D measured, was performed. All included hospitalized cases, 78 COVID-19 patients and 162 NonCOVID-19 patients, were divided into subgroups according to their 25(OH)D serum levels (<20 ng/mL-deficiency, 20-30 ng/mL-insufficiency, ≥30 ng/mL-normal or <30 ng/mL, ≥30 ng/mL) and age (≤2 years, >2 years). Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency increased with age, in both COVID-19 and NonCOVID-19 groups. All symptoms were encountered more frequently in cases of pediatric patients with COVID-19 in comparison with NonCOVID-19 cases. The most frequently encountered symptoms in the COVID-19 group were fever, loss of appetite, and nasal congestion. In the NonCOVID-19 group, serum 25(OH)D concentrations were positively correlated with leukocytes, lymphocytes, and LMR and negatively correlated with neutrophils, NLR, and PLR while no significant correlation was observed in the case of COVID-19 group. Differences between vitamin D status and clinical and laboratory parameters were observed, but their clinical significance should be interpreted with caution. The results of this study may offer further support for future studies exploring the mechanisms of the relationship between vitamin D and clinical and laboratory markers as well as for studies investigating the implications of vitamin D deficiency/supplementation on overall health/clinical outcomes of patients with/without COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Totan
- Faculty of Medicine, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 2A Lucian Blaga Str., 550169 Sibiu, Romania; (M.T.); (A.H.)
- Clinical Laboratory, Pediatric Clinical Hospital Sibiu, 2-4 Pompeiu Onofreiu Str., 550166 Sibiu, Romania
| | | | - Adrian Hasegan
- Faculty of Medicine, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 2A Lucian Blaga Str., 550169 Sibiu, Romania; (M.T.); (A.H.)
| | - Ionela Maniu
- Research Team, Pediatric Clinical Hospital Sibiu, 550166 Sibiu, Romania
- Research Center in Informatics and Information Technology, Mathematics and Informatics Department, Faculty of Sciences, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 550025 Sibiu, Romania
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Mavar M, Sorić T, Bagarić E, Sarić A, Matek Sarić M. The Power of Vitamin D: Is the Future in Precision Nutrition through Personalized Supplementation Plans? Nutrients 2024; 16:1176. [PMID: 38674867 PMCID: PMC11054101 DOI: 10.3390/nu16081176] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In the last few decades, vitamin D has undeniably been one of the most studied nutrients. Despite our ability to produce vitamin D through sunlight exposure, its presence in several natural food sources and fortified foods, and its widespread availability as a dietary supplement, vitamin D deficiency is a serious public health problem, affecting nearly 50% of the global population. Low serum levels of vitamin D are being associated with increased susceptibility to numerous health conditions, including respiratory infections, mental health, autoimmune diseases, and different cancer types. Although the association between vitamin D status and health is well-established, the exact beneficial effects of vitamin D are still inconclusive and indefinite, especially when considering the prevention and treatment of different health conditions and the determination of an appropriate dosage to exert those beneficial effects in various population groups. Therefore, further research is needed. With constant improvements in our understanding of individual variations in vitamin D metabolism and requirements, in the future, precision nutrition and personalized supplementation plans could prove beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mladen Mavar
- Psychiatric Hospital Ugljan, Otočkih Dragovoljaca 42, 23275 Ugljan, Croatia;
| | - Tamara Sorić
- Psychiatric Hospital Ugljan, Otočkih Dragovoljaca 42, 23275 Ugljan, Croatia;
| | - Ena Bagarić
- Almagea Ltd., Ulica Julija Knifera 4, 10020 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Ana Sarić
- School of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Ilica 242, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Marijana Matek Sarić
- Department of Health Studies, University of Zadar, Splitska 1, 23000 Zadar, Croatia;
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9
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Camelo ALM, Zamora Obando HR, Rocha I, Dias AC, Mesquita ADS, Simionato AVC. COVID-19 and Comorbidities: What Has Been Unveiled by Metabolomics? Metabolites 2024; 14:195. [PMID: 38668323 PMCID: PMC11051775 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14040195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about diverse impacts on the global population. Individuals with comorbidities were more susceptible to the severe symptoms caused by the virus. Within the crisis scenario, metabolomics represents a potential area of science capable of providing relevant information for understanding the metabolic pathways associated with the intricate interaction between the viral disease and previous comorbidities. This work aims to provide a comprehensive description of the scientific production pertaining to metabolomics within the specific context of COVID-19 and comorbidities, while highlighting promising areas for exploration by those interested in the subject. In this review, we highlighted the studies of metabolomics that indicated a variety of metabolites associated with comorbidities and COVID-19. Furthermore, we observed that the understanding of the metabolic processes involved between comorbidities and COVID-19 is limited due to the urgent need to report disease outcomes in individuals with comorbidities. The overlap of two or more comorbidities associated with the severity of COVID-19 hinders the comprehension of the significance of each condition. Most identified studies are observational, with a restricted number of patients, due to challenges in sample collection amidst the emergent situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Luiz Melo Camelo
- Laboratory of Analysis of Biomolecules Tiselius, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-970, São Paulo, Brazil; (A.L.M.C.); (H.R.Z.O.); (I.R.); (A.C.D.); (A.d.S.M.)
| | - Hans Rolando Zamora Obando
- Laboratory of Analysis of Biomolecules Tiselius, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-970, São Paulo, Brazil; (A.L.M.C.); (H.R.Z.O.); (I.R.); (A.C.D.); (A.d.S.M.)
| | - Isabela Rocha
- Laboratory of Analysis of Biomolecules Tiselius, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-970, São Paulo, Brazil; (A.L.M.C.); (H.R.Z.O.); (I.R.); (A.C.D.); (A.d.S.M.)
| | - Aline Cristina Dias
- Laboratory of Analysis of Biomolecules Tiselius, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-970, São Paulo, Brazil; (A.L.M.C.); (H.R.Z.O.); (I.R.); (A.C.D.); (A.d.S.M.)
| | - Alessandra de Sousa Mesquita
- Laboratory of Analysis of Biomolecules Tiselius, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-970, São Paulo, Brazil; (A.L.M.C.); (H.R.Z.O.); (I.R.); (A.C.D.); (A.d.S.M.)
| | - Ana Valéria Colnaghi Simionato
- Laboratory of Analysis of Biomolecules Tiselius, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-970, São Paulo, Brazil; (A.L.M.C.); (H.R.Z.O.); (I.R.); (A.C.D.); (A.d.S.M.)
- National Institute of Science and Technology for Bioanalytics—INCTBio, Institute of Chemistry, Universidade Estadual de (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-970, São Paulo, Brazil
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10
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Sartini M, Del Puente F, Oliva M, Carbone A, Bobbio N, Schinca E, Giribone L, Cristina ML. Preventive Vitamin D Supplementation and Risk for COVID-19 Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2024; 16:679. [PMID: 38474807 PMCID: PMC10935157 DOI: 10.3390/nu16050679] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, vitamin D has been found to play a crucial role in bone homeostasis, muscle function, oncogenesis, immune response and metabolism. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous researchers have tried to determine the role vitamin D might play in the immune response to the virus. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to demonstrate that preventive vitamin D supplementation can play a protective role in the incidence of COVID-19, mortality and admission to intensive care units (ICUs). A comprehensive search on the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane and Google Scholar databases was performed on 15 May 2023, and two of the authors independently screened the literature. As effect measures, we calculated the Odds Ratios with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (ICs). The assessment of potential bias and the evaluation of study quality will be conducted independently by two researchers. Sixteen publications were selected for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Our findings indicate that vitamin D supplementation has a protective effect against the incidence of COVID-19 in RCT studies (OR 0.403, 95% IC 0.218, 0.747), in the incidence of COVID-19 in analytical studies (OR = 0.592, 95% IC 0.476-0.736) and in ICU admission (OR 0.317, 95% IC 0.147-0.680). Subsequent analyses were conducted by type of subject treated (patient/healthcare workers) and type of supplementation (vitamin D vs. placebo/no treatment or high dose vs. low dose). Our meta-analysis suggests a definitive and significant association between the protective role of vitamin D and COVID-19 incidence and ICU admission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Sartini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (M.O.); (A.C.); (E.S.); (L.G.); (M.L.C.)
- Operating Unit Hospital Hygiene, Galliera Hospital, 16128 Genoa, Italy
| | - Filippo Del Puente
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Galliera Hospital, 16128 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Martino Oliva
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (M.O.); (A.C.); (E.S.); (L.G.); (M.L.C.)
| | - Alessio Carbone
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (M.O.); (A.C.); (E.S.); (L.G.); (M.L.C.)
| | - Nicoletta Bobbio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Galliera Hospital, 16128 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Elisa Schinca
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (M.O.); (A.C.); (E.S.); (L.G.); (M.L.C.)
- Operating Unit Hospital Hygiene, Galliera Hospital, 16128 Genoa, Italy
| | - Luana Giribone
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (M.O.); (A.C.); (E.S.); (L.G.); (M.L.C.)
| | - Maria Luisa Cristina
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (M.O.); (A.C.); (E.S.); (L.G.); (M.L.C.)
- Operating Unit Hospital Hygiene, Galliera Hospital, 16128 Genoa, Italy
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11
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Pavlidou E, Poulios E, Papadopoulou SK, Fasoulas A, Dakanalis A, Giaginis C. Clinical Evidence on the Potential Beneficial Effects of Diet and Dietary Supplements against COVID-19 Infection Risk and Symptoms' Severity. Med Sci (Basel) 2024; 12:11. [PMID: 38390861 PMCID: PMC10885051 DOI: 10.3390/medsci12010011] [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: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diet and dietary supplements aim to add trace elements, vitamins, and minerals to the body to improve human health and boost the immune system. In the previous few years, the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus strain has been threatening the health of individuals and public health more broadly, with rates of intensive care unit cases on the rise, while long-term COVID-19 complications are persisting until today. In the peculiar circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, in combination with disease prevention techniques, the strengthening of the immune system is considered particularly important to enable it to effectively respond to and eliminate the SARS-CoV-2 viral pathogen in the event of infection. The purpose of the current literature review is to thoroughly summarize and critically analyze the current clinical data concerning the potential beneficial effects of diet and dietary supplements against COVID-19 infection risk and symptoms' severity. The micronutrients/supplements examined in this study in relation to COVID-19 infection are vitamins A, B, C, and D, zinc, selenium, magnesium, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, glutamine, resveratrol, beta-glucans, and probiotics. The potential effects of dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet against SARS-CoV-2 infection risk and symptoms' severity were also analyzed. Our literature review suggests that micro- and macronutrient supplementation and a healthy diet and lifestyle may provide support to immune system function, with beneficial effects both before and during SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, additional studies are recommended to draw safe conclusions and formulate dietary recommendations concerning dietary supplements and their possible effects on preventing and co-treating COVID-19 disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Pavlidou
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of the Aegean, 81400 Lemnos, Greece; (E.P.); (E.P.); (A.F.)
| | - Efthymios Poulios
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of the Aegean, 81400 Lemnos, Greece; (E.P.); (E.P.); (A.F.)
| | - Sousana K. Papadopoulou
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Aristeidis Fasoulas
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of the Aegean, 81400 Lemnos, Greece; (E.P.); (E.P.); (A.F.)
| | - Antonios Dakanalis
- Department of Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via G.B. Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy;
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan Bicocca, Via Cadore 38, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy
| | - Constantinos Giaginis
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of the Aegean, 81400 Lemnos, Greece; (E.P.); (E.P.); (A.F.)
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12
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Athanassiou L, Kostoglou-Athanassiou I, Nikolakopoulou S, Konstantinou A, Mascha O, Siarkos E, Samaras C, Athanassiou P, Shoenfeld Y. Vitamin D Levels as a Marker of Severe SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:210. [PMID: 38398719 PMCID: PMC10890332 DOI: 10.3390/life14020210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus may cause severe infection, which is associated with diverse clinical manifestations. Vitamin D has immunomodulating properties and may enhance the body's defense system against invading pathogenic organisms. The aim was to assess 25(OH)D3 levels in patients hospitalized for severe infection from the SARS-CoV-2 virus and explore the relationship between 25(OH)D3 and outcomes. In a group of 88 patients hospitalized for severe infection from the SARS-CoV-2 virus and a control group matched for age and sex, the levels of 25(OH)D3 were analyzed. Levels of 25(OH)D3 were 17.36 ± 8.80 ng/mL (mean ± SD) compared with 24.34 ± 10.34 ng/mL in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and the control group, respectively, p < 0.001 (Student's t-test). 25(OH)D3 levels were significantly related to outcomes, i.e., survival as opposed to non-survival, as more patients with 25(OH)D3 deficiency (0-10 ng/mL) and insufficiency (10-20 ng/mL) had a fatal outcome as compared with those with vitamin D sufficiency (p < 0.001, chi-square test, p < 0.001, Fisher's exact test). Levels of 25(OH)D3 were inversely related to C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, d-dimer, and fibrinogen levels (p < 0.001, linear regression analysis, beta coefficient of variation, -0.176, -0.160, -0.178, and -0.158, respectively). Vitamin D deficiency observed in severe SARS-CoV-2 infection was related to disease outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lambros Athanassiou
- COVID-19 Department, Asclepeion Hospital, Voula, GR16673 Athens, Greece; (L.A.); (S.N.); (A.K.); (E.S.); (C.S.)
| | | | - Sofia Nikolakopoulou
- COVID-19 Department, Asclepeion Hospital, Voula, GR16673 Athens, Greece; (L.A.); (S.N.); (A.K.); (E.S.); (C.S.)
| | - Alexandra Konstantinou
- COVID-19 Department, Asclepeion Hospital, Voula, GR16673 Athens, Greece; (L.A.); (S.N.); (A.K.); (E.S.); (C.S.)
| | - Olga Mascha
- Department of Biochemistry, Asclepeion Hospital, Voula, GR16673 Athens, Greece;
| | - Evangelos Siarkos
- COVID-19 Department, Asclepeion Hospital, Voula, GR16673 Athens, Greece; (L.A.); (S.N.); (A.K.); (E.S.); (C.S.)
| | - Charilaos Samaras
- COVID-19 Department, Asclepeion Hospital, Voula, GR16673 Athens, Greece; (L.A.); (S.N.); (A.K.); (E.S.); (C.S.)
| | | | - Yehuda Shoenfeld
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Reichman University, Herzelya 4610101, Israel;
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13
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Comunale BA, Hsu YJ, Larson RJ, Singh A, Jackson-Ward E, Engineer LD. Vitamin D Supplementation and Prior Oral Poliovirus Vaccination Decrease Odds of COVID-19 Outcomes among Adults Recently Inoculated with Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:121. [PMID: 38400105 PMCID: PMC10892023 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12020121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Structural and functional commonalities between poliovirus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) suggest that poliovirus inoculation may induce antibodies that mitigate the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). No known studies have evaluated COVID-19 risk factors in adults recently vaccinated against poliovirus. STUDY OBJECTIVE Among adults with no history of COVID-19 infection or vaccination, who recently received an inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), we sought to determine which biological factors and social determinants of health (SDOH) may be associated with (1) testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, (2) experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, and (3) a longer duration of COVID-19 symptoms. METHODS The influence of biological factors and SDOH on SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 symptoms were evaluated among 282 adults recently inoculated with IPV. Participant-reported surveys were analyzed over 12 months post-enrollment. Bivariate and multivariate linear and logistic regression models identified associations between variables and COVID-19 outcomes. RESULTS Adjusting for COVID-19 vaccinations, variants, and other SDOH, secondary analyses revealed that underlying conditions, employment, vitamin D, education, and the oral poliovirus vaccination (OPV) were associated with COVID-19 outcomes. The odds of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 and experiencing symptoms were significantly reduced among participants who took vitamin D (OR 0.12 and OR 0.09, respectively). Unemployed or part-time working participants were 72% less likely to test positive compared with full-time workers. No prior dose of OPV was one of the strongest predictors of SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 4.36) and COVID-19 symptoms (OR 6.95). CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that prophylactic measures and mucosal immunity may mitigate the risk and severity of COVID-19 outcomes. Larger-scale studies may inform future policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany A. Comunale
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Yea-Jen Hsu
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Robin J. Larson
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - Aditi Singh
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92161, USA
| | - Erin Jackson-Ward
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Lilly D. Engineer
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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14
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Alhammadin G, Jarrar Y, Madani A, Lee SJ. Exploring the Influence of VDR Genetic Variants TaqI, ApaI, and FokI on COVID-19 Severity and Long-COVID-19 Symptoms. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1663. [PMID: 38138892 PMCID: PMC10744884 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13121663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence regarding the importance of vitamin D in the prognosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Genetic variants in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene affect the response to vitamin D and have been linked to various diseases. This study investigated the associations of the major VDR genetic variants ApaI, FokI, and TaqI with the severity and long post-infection symptoms of COVID-19. In total, 100 Jordanian patients with confirmed COVID-19 were genotyped for the VDR ApaI, FokI, and TaqI variants using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. COVID-19 severity, the most commonly reported long-COVID-19 symptoms that lasted for >4 weeks from the onset of infection, and other variables were analyzed according to VDR genetic variants. In this study, ApaI and FokI polymorphisms showed no significant associations with COVID-19 severity (p > 0.05). However, a significant association was detected between the TaqI polymorphism and the severity of symptoms after infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (p = 0.04). The wild-type TaqI genotype was typically present in patients with mild illness, whereas the heterozygous TaqI genotype was present in asymptomatic patients. With regard to long-COVID-19 symptoms, the VDR heterozygous ApaI and wild-type TaqI genotypes were significantly associated with persistent fatigue and muscle pain after COVID-19 (p ˂ 0.05). Most carriers of the heterozygous ApaI genotype and carriers of the wild-type TaqI genotype reported experiencing fatigue and muscle pain that lasted for more than 1 month after the onset of COVID-19. Furthermore, the TaqI genotype was associated with persistent shortness of breath after COVID-19 (p = 0.003). Shortness of breath was more common among individuals with homozygous TaqI genotype than among individuals with the wild-type or heterozygous TaqI genotype. VDR TaqI is a possible genetic variant related to both COVID-19 severity and long-COVID-19 symptoms among Jordanian individuals. The associations between VDR TaqI polymorphisms and long-COVID-19 symptoms should be investigated in larger and more diverse ethnic populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghayda’ Alhammadin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman 11733, Jordan; (G.A.); (A.M.)
| | - Yazun Jarrar
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Balqa Applied University, Al-Salt 19117, Jordan;
| | - Abdalla Madani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman 11733, Jordan; (G.A.); (A.M.)
| | - Su-Jun Lee
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics Research Center, College of Medicine, Inje University, Busan 50834, Republic of Korea
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15
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Ahmad AS, Juber NF, Al-Naseri H, Heumann C, Ali R, Oliver T. Association between Average Vitamin D Levels and COVID-19 Mortality in 19 European Countries-A Population-Based Study. Nutrients 2023; 15:4818. [PMID: 38004213 PMCID: PMC10680994 DOI: 10.3390/nu15224818] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Early epidemic reports have linked low average 25(OH) vitamin D levels with increased COVID-19 mortality. However, there has been limited updated research on 25(OH) vitamin D and its impact on COVID-19 mortality. This study aimed to update the initial report studying the link between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 mortality by using multi-country data in 19 European countries up to the middle of June 2023. COVID-19 data for 19 European countries included in this study were downloaded from Our World in Data from 1 March 2020, to 14 June 2023, and were included in the statistical analysis. The 25(OH) vitamin D average data were collected by conducting a literature review. A generalized estimation equation model was used to model the data. Compared to European countries with 25(OH) vitamin D levels of ≤50 nmol/L, European countries with 25(OH) vitamin D average levels greater than 50 nmol/L had lower COVID-19 mortality rates (RR = 0.794, 95% CI: 0.662-0.953). A statistically significant negative Spearman rank correlation was observed between 25(OH) vitamin D average levels and COVID-19 mortality. We also found significantly lower COVID-19 mortality rates in countries with high average 25(OH) vitamin D levels. Randomized trials on vitamin D supplementation are needed. In the meantime, the issue of vitamin D use should be debated in relation to the ongoing discussions of national post-COVID-19 resilience against future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amar S. Ahmad
- Cancer Intelligence, Cancer Research UK, London E20 1JQ, UK
| | - Nirmin F. Juber
- Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 129188, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Heba Al-Naseri
- Academic Unit of Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK;
| | - Christian Heumann
- Department of Statistics, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 80539 München, Germany;
| | - Raghib Ali
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0SL, UK;
| | - Tim Oliver
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6AU, UK;
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16
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Mehrani Y, Morovati S, Tieu S, Karimi N, Javadi H, Vanderkamp S, Sarmadi S, Tajik T, Kakish JE, Bridle BW, Karimi K. Vitamin D Influences the Activity of Mast Cells in Allergic Manifestations and Potentiates Their Effector Functions against Pathogens. Cells 2023; 12:2271. [PMID: 37759494 PMCID: PMC10528041 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Mast cells (MCs) are abundant at sites exposed to the external environment and pathogens. Local activation of these cells, either directly via pathogen recognition or indirectly via interaction with other activated immune cells and results in the release of pre-stored mediators in MC granules. The release of these pre-stored mediators helps to enhance pathogen clearance. While MCs are well known for their protective role against parasites, there is also significant evidence in the literature demonstrating their ability to respond to viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and hormone that plays a vital role in regulating calcium and phosphorus metabolism to maintain skeletal homeostasis. Emerging evidence suggests that vitamin D also has immunomodulatory properties on both the innate and adaptive immune systems, making it a critical regulator of immune homeostasis. Vitamin D binds to its receptor, called the vitamin D receptor (VDR), which is present in almost all immune system cells. The literature suggests that a vitamin D deficiency can activate MCs, and vitamin D is necessary for MC stabilization. This manuscript explores the potential of vitamin D to regulate MC activity and combat pathogens, with a focus on its ability to fight viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeganeh Mehrani
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (Y.M.); (S.T.); (S.V.); (J.E.K.)
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 91779-48974, Iran;
| | - Solmaz Morovati
- Division of Biotechnology, Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71557-13876, Iran;
| | - Sophie Tieu
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (Y.M.); (S.T.); (S.V.); (J.E.K.)
| | - Negar Karimi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 91779-48974, Iran;
| | - Helia Javadi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada;
| | - Sierra Vanderkamp
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (Y.M.); (S.T.); (S.V.); (J.E.K.)
| | - Soroush Sarmadi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran 14174-66191, Iran;
| | - Tahmineh Tajik
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad 91779-48974, Iran;
| | - Julia E. Kakish
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (Y.M.); (S.T.); (S.V.); (J.E.K.)
| | - Byram W. Bridle
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (Y.M.); (S.T.); (S.V.); (J.E.K.)
| | - Khalil Karimi
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (Y.M.); (S.T.); (S.V.); (J.E.K.)
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17
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Mbata MK, Hunziker M, Makhdoomi A, Lüthi-Corridori G, Boesing M, Giezendanner S, Muser J, Leuppi-Taegtmeyer AB, Leuppi JD. Is Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level Associated with Severity of COVID-19? A Retrospective Study. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5520. [PMID: 37685586 PMCID: PMC10488373 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12175520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: SARS-COV2 infection has a clinical spectrum ranging from asymptomatic infection to COVID-19 with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Although vitamin D deficiency is often found in patients with ARDS, its role in COVID-19 is not clear. The aim of this study was to explore a possible association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and the severity of COVID-19 in hospitalised patients. (2) Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we analysed data from 763 patients hospitalised for COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021. Patients were included in the study if serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was assessed 30 days before or after hospital admission. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as <50 nmol/L (<20 ng/mL). The primary outcome was COVID-19 severity. (3) Results: The overall median serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 54 nmol/L (IQR 35-76); 47% of the patients were vitamin D deficient. Most patients had mild to moderate COVID-19 and no differences were observed between vitamin D deficient and non-deficient patients (81% vs. 84% of patients, respectively p = 0.829). (4) Conclusion: No association was found between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and COVID-19 severity in this large observational study conducted over 2 years of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munachimso Kizito Mbata
- Cantonal Hospital Baselland, University Center of Internal Medicine, Rheinstrasse 26, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 61, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mireille Hunziker
- Cantonal Hospital Baselland, University Center of Internal Medicine, Rheinstrasse 26, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
- Center for Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Gemeindeholzweg, 4101 Bruderholz, Switzerland
| | - Anja Makhdoomi
- Cantonal Hospital Baselland, University Center of Internal Medicine, Rheinstrasse 26, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Giorgia Lüthi-Corridori
- Cantonal Hospital Baselland, University Center of Internal Medicine, Rheinstrasse 26, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 61, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maria Boesing
- Cantonal Hospital Baselland, University Center of Internal Medicine, Rheinstrasse 26, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 61, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stéphanie Giezendanner
- Cantonal Hospital Baselland, University Center of Internal Medicine, Rheinstrasse 26, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Jürgen Muser
- Central Laboratories, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Rheinstrasse 26, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Anne B. Leuppi-Taegtmeyer
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 61, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
- Hospital Pharmacy, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Rheinstrasse 26, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
- Department of Patient Safety, Medical Directorate, University Hospital Basel, Schanzenstrasse 55, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jörg D. Leuppi
- Cantonal Hospital Baselland, University Center of Internal Medicine, Rheinstrasse 26, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 61, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
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18
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Wimalawansa SJ. Controlling Chronic Diseases and Acute Infections with Vitamin D Sufficiency. Nutrients 2023; 15:3623. [PMID: 37630813 PMCID: PMC10459179 DOI: 10.3390/nu15163623] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Apart from developmental disabilities, the prevalence of chronic diseases increases with age especially in those with co-morbidities: vitamin D deficiency plays a major role in it. Whether vitamin D deficiency initiates and/or aggravates chronic diseases or vice versa is unclear. It adversely affects all body systems but can be eliminated using proper doses of vitamin D supplementation and/or safe daily sun exposure. Maintaining the population serum 25(OH)D concentration above 40 ng/mL (i.e., sufficiency) ensures a sound immune system, minimizing symptomatic diseases and reducing infections and the prevalence of chronic diseases. This is the most cost-effective way to keep a population healthy and reduce healthcare costs. Vitamin D facilitates physiological functions, overcoming pathologies such as chronic inflammation and oxidative stress and maintaining broader immune functions. These are vital to overcoming chronic diseases and infections. Therefore, in addition to following essential public health and nutritional guidance, maintaining vitamin D sufficiency should be an integral part of better health, preventing acute and chronic diseases and minimize their complications. Those with severe vitamin D deficiency have the highest burdens of co-morbidities and are more vulnerable to developing complications and untimely deaths. Vitamin D adequacy improves innate and adaptive immune systems. It controls excessive inflammation and oxidative stress, generates antimicrobial peptides, and neutralizes antibodies via immune cells. Consequently, vitamin D sufficiency reduces infections and associated complications and deaths. Maintaining vitamin D sufficiency reduces chronic disease burden, illnesses, hospitalizations, and all-cause mortality. Vulnerable communities, such as ethnic minorities living in temperate countries, older people, those with co-morbidities, routine night workers, and institutionalized persons, have the highest prevalence of vitamin D deficiency-they would significantly benefit from vitamin D and targeted micronutrient supplementation. At least now, health departments, authorities, and health insurance companies should start assessing, prioritizing, and encouraging this economical, non-prescription, safe micronutrient to prevent and treat acute and chronic diseases. This approach will significantly reduce morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs and ensure healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil J Wimalawansa
- Department of Medicine, CardioMetabolic & Endocrine Institute, North Brunswick, NJ 08902, USA
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19
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Sîrbu AC, Sabin O, Bocșan IC, Vesa ȘC, Buzoianu AD. The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on the Length of Hospitalisation, Intensive Care Unit Admission, and Mortality in COVID-19-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2023; 15:3470. [PMID: 37571407 PMCID: PMC10421164 DOI: 10.3390/nu15153470] [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: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global health crisis and pushed researchers and physicians to discover possible treatments to improve the outcome of their patients. Vitamin D, known for its role in immune system function, has been hypothesized to play a role in COVID-19 treatment. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in COVID-19, focusing on length of hospital stay (LOS), admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and mortality. Thirteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, and the meta-analysis revealed that high-dose vitamin D supplementation showed potential benefits in reducing the length of hospital stay and ICU admission rates for patients with COVID-19. However, the overall effect on mortality did not reach statistical significance. While this systematic review suggests the potential benefits of high-dose vitamin D supplementation in reducing hospital stays and ICU admission in COVID-19 patients, caution is warranted due to the high heterogeneity and limitations of the included studies. Further large-scale randomized controlled trials with consistent study characteristics are needed to provide more robust evidence regarding the therapeutic benefits of vitamin D supplementation in COVID-19 outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Octavia Sabin
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.C.S.); (I.C.B.)
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20
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Nicolae M, Mihai CM, Chisnoiu T, Balasa AL, Frecus CE, Mihai L, Lupu VV, Ion I, Pantazi AC, Nelson Twakor A, Andrusca A, Cambrea CS, Arghir IA, Lupu A, Arghir OC. Immunomodulatory Effects of Vitamin D in Respiratory Tract Infections and COVID-19 in Children. Nutrients 2023; 15:3430. [PMID: 37571367 PMCID: PMC10421518 DOI: 10.3390/nu15153430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are one of the main reasons that the pediatric population goes to the doctor. The connection between ARTI and vitamin D (VD) is currently debated by the medical community, and so far, there has been little agreement with regard to the ideal level of 25(OH)D concentration that would provide protection for the respiratory tract, or the effectiveness of its administration in the treatment of respiratory infections. The purpose of this literature review was to bring attention to the immunomodulatory and antiviral function of vitamin D and its relation to the respiratory system by examining the main ARTIs, including SARS-CoV-2. The latter has affected the pediatric population in different ways, from asymptomatic patients to severe forms with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Although there are not much clinical data on the SARS-CoV-2 disease in the pediatric population worldwide, we tried to find out whether there is a connection between the severity of this disease, other ARTIs, and vitamin D supplementation. We also aimed to find out if 25OHD deficiency had an adverse effect on the evolution of the disease and the recovery period in the case of younger patients affected by COVID-19. For this literature review, the PICO framework was selected as the methodological approach. Our results demonstrated many methods by which this vitamin may lower the risk of ARTI with regard to the COVID-19 infection. Despite these significant advancements, more research is needed to support the idea that 25(OH)D concentration can influence the evolution of respiratory tract infections in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Nicolae
- Department of Pediatrics, County Clinical Emergency Hospital of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania (I.I.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of General Medicine, “Ovidius” University, 900470 Constanta, Romania
| | - Cristina Maria Mihai
- Department of Pediatrics, County Clinical Emergency Hospital of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania (I.I.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of General Medicine, “Ovidius” University, 900470 Constanta, Romania
| | - Tatiana Chisnoiu
- Department of Pediatrics, County Clinical Emergency Hospital of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania (I.I.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of General Medicine, “Ovidius” University, 900470 Constanta, Romania
| | - Adriana Luminita Balasa
- Department of Pediatrics, County Clinical Emergency Hospital of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania (I.I.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of General Medicine, “Ovidius” University, 900470 Constanta, Romania
| | - Corina Elena Frecus
- Department of Pediatrics, County Clinical Emergency Hospital of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania (I.I.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of General Medicine, “Ovidius” University, 900470 Constanta, Romania
| | - Larisia Mihai
- Department of Pediatrics, County Clinical Emergency Hospital of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania (I.I.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of General Medicine, “Ovidius” University, 900470 Constanta, Romania
| | - Vasile Valeriu Lupu
- Department of Pediatrics, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Irina Ion
- Department of Pediatrics, County Clinical Emergency Hospital of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania (I.I.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of General Medicine, “Ovidius” University, 900470 Constanta, Romania
| | - Alexandru Cosmin Pantazi
- Department of Pediatrics, County Clinical Emergency Hospital of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania (I.I.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of General Medicine, “Ovidius” University, 900470 Constanta, Romania
| | | | - Antonio Andrusca
- Department of Pediatrics, County Clinical Emergency Hospital of Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania (I.I.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of General Medicine, “Ovidius” University, 900470 Constanta, Romania
| | - Claudia Simona Cambrea
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of General Medicine, “Ovidius” University, 900470 Constanta, Romania
| | - Ioan Anton Arghir
- Department of Pneumophtisiology, Faculty of General Medicine, “Ovidius” University, 900470 Constanta, Romania
| | - Ancuta Lupu
- Department of Pediatrics, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Oana Cristina Arghir
- Department of Pneumophtisiology, Faculty of General Medicine, “Ovidius” University, 900470 Constanta, Romania
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21
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Formisano E, Proietti E, Borgarelli C, Pisciotta L. Psoriasis and Vitamin D: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2023; 15:3387. [PMID: 37571324 PMCID: PMC10421389 DOI: 10.3390/nu15153387] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic immune-dysregulated inflammatory disease and hypovitaminosis D is considered a risk factor. We conducted an online database search to review and meta-analyze the relationship between vitamin D, other bone metabolism parameters, and psoriasis. The efficacy of oral vitamin D supplementation in improving Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was also evaluated. Non-original articles, case reports, and animal studies were excluded. Bias risk was assessed according to the Cochrane Collaboration's tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and case-control studies, respectively. Unstandardized mean differences were used for data synthesis. Twenty-three studies reported serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in 1876 psoriasis patients and 7532 controls. Psoriasis patients had significantly lower 25(OH)D levels than controls (21.0 ± 8.3 vs. 27.3 ± 9.8, p < 0.00001). Conversely, 450 psoriasis patients had lower levels of parathormone than 417 controls (38.7 ± 12.8 vs. 43.7 ± 16.5, p = 0.015). Four RCTs examined the effect of oral vitamin D supplementation on psoriasis for 173 patients and 160 patients were treated with placebo. No significant differences were found in PASI after 3, 6, and 12 months of supplementation. It is shown that 25(OH)D serum levels are significantly lower in psoriasis, but, although the granularity of RCT methodology may have influenced the pooled analysis, vitamin D supplementation did not seem to improve clinical manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Formisano
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (E.P.); (C.B.); (L.P.)
- Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Unit, IRCCS Policlinic Hospital San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Elisa Proietti
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (E.P.); (C.B.); (L.P.)
| | - Consuelo Borgarelli
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (E.P.); (C.B.); (L.P.)
| | - Livia Pisciotta
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (E.P.); (C.B.); (L.P.)
- Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Unit, IRCCS Policlinic Hospital San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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22
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Djaoudene O, Romano A, Bradai YD, Zebiri F, Ouchene A, Yousfi Y, Amrane-Abider M, Sahraoui-Remini Y, Madani K. A Global Overview of Dietary Supplements: Regulation, Market Trends, Usage during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and Health Effects. Nutrients 2023; 15:3320. [PMID: 37571258 PMCID: PMC10421343 DOI: 10.3390/nu15153320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last 20 years, the use of dietary supplements (DS) has continued to grow in many countries. Due to the public health crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and amidst fears regarding COVID-19 vaccines and their low supply in many regions of the world, there has been a marked interest in the use of DS as alternative means of protecting against and treating this emerging disease, as well as boosting the immune system and minimizing the risk of inflammation. Despite a lack of evidence to suggest their efficacy, a surge in the sales of DS has been reported in many parts of the world. Questions have also been raised about the health effects associated with DS due to their increased use during the health crisis. Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated their beneficial properties as well as some adverse and even toxic effects. In addition, given the current global interest in this issue, a review is needed to establish the status of dietary supplements before and during the health crisis. The aim of this review is to summarize the current evidence on the impact of dietary supplements on the incidence of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as their regulation and associated market trends. First, we provide an overview of DS, including a comprehensive review of the legislative and regulatory aspects of DS in the USA, China, the EU, and Algeria. Second, we describe the prevalence of the most commonly consumed DS and their efficacy as a prophylactic modality in the era of COVID-19. Additionally, we examine the structure and size of the DS market in the countries that predominantly produce and import them, its global market trend, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on market growth. Finally, in this review, we also discuss the profile of DS users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ouarda Djaoudene
- Centre de Recherche en Technologies Agroalimentaires, Route de Targa Ouzemmour, Campus Universitaire, Bejaia 06000, Algeria; (Y.D.B.); (F.Z.); (A.O.); (Y.Y.); (M.A.-A.); (Y.S.-R.); (K.M.)
| | - Anabela Romano
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Yasmine Djedjiga Bradai
- Centre de Recherche en Technologies Agroalimentaires, Route de Targa Ouzemmour, Campus Universitaire, Bejaia 06000, Algeria; (Y.D.B.); (F.Z.); (A.O.); (Y.Y.); (M.A.-A.); (Y.S.-R.); (K.M.)
| | - Feriel Zebiri
- Centre de Recherche en Technologies Agroalimentaires, Route de Targa Ouzemmour, Campus Universitaire, Bejaia 06000, Algeria; (Y.D.B.); (F.Z.); (A.O.); (Y.Y.); (M.A.-A.); (Y.S.-R.); (K.M.)
| | - Amina Ouchene
- Centre de Recherche en Technologies Agroalimentaires, Route de Targa Ouzemmour, Campus Universitaire, Bejaia 06000, Algeria; (Y.D.B.); (F.Z.); (A.O.); (Y.Y.); (M.A.-A.); (Y.S.-R.); (K.M.)
| | - Yasmine Yousfi
- Centre de Recherche en Technologies Agroalimentaires, Route de Targa Ouzemmour, Campus Universitaire, Bejaia 06000, Algeria; (Y.D.B.); (F.Z.); (A.O.); (Y.Y.); (M.A.-A.); (Y.S.-R.); (K.M.)
| | - Meriem Amrane-Abider
- Centre de Recherche en Technologies Agroalimentaires, Route de Targa Ouzemmour, Campus Universitaire, Bejaia 06000, Algeria; (Y.D.B.); (F.Z.); (A.O.); (Y.Y.); (M.A.-A.); (Y.S.-R.); (K.M.)
| | - Yasmine Sahraoui-Remini
- Centre de Recherche en Technologies Agroalimentaires, Route de Targa Ouzemmour, Campus Universitaire, Bejaia 06000, Algeria; (Y.D.B.); (F.Z.); (A.O.); (Y.Y.); (M.A.-A.); (Y.S.-R.); (K.M.)
| | - Khodir Madani
- Centre de Recherche en Technologies Agroalimentaires, Route de Targa Ouzemmour, Campus Universitaire, Bejaia 06000, Algeria; (Y.D.B.); (F.Z.); (A.O.); (Y.Y.); (M.A.-A.); (Y.S.-R.); (K.M.)
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23
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Steinmetz A, Gross S, Lehnert K, Lücker P, Friedrich N, Nauck M, Bahlmann S, Fielitz J, Dörr M. Longitudinal Clinical Features of Post-COVID-19 Patients-Symptoms, Fatigue and Physical Function at 3- and 6-Month Follow-Up. J Clin Med 2023; 12:3966. [PMID: 37373660 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12123966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) has been described as 'the pandemic after the pandemic' with more than 65 million people worldwide being affected. The enormous range of symptoms makes both diagnosis complex and treatment difficult. In a post-COVID rehabilitation outpatient clinic, 184 patients, mostly non-hospitalized, received a comprehensive, interdisciplinary diagnostic assessment with fixed follow-up appointments. At baseline, three in four patients reported more than 10 symptoms, the most frequent symptoms were fatigue (84.9%), decreased physical capacity (83.0%), tiredness (81.1%), poor concentration (73.6%), sleeping problems (66.7%) and shortness of breath (67.3%). Abnormalities were found in the mean values of scores for fatigue (FAS = 34.3), cognition (MoCA = 25.5), psychological alterations (anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder), limitation of lung function (CAT) and severity scores for PCS (PCFS, MCRS). Clinical abnormalities were found in elevated values of heart rate, breathing rate at rest, blood pressure and NT-proBNP levels. As the frequency of the described symptoms decreases only slowly but most often significantly over the course, it is important to monitor the patients over a longer period of time. Many of them suffer from an immense symptom burden, often without pre-existing clinical correlates. Our results show a clear association with objectifiable assessments and tests as well as pronounced symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Steinmetz
- Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Trauma, Reconstructive Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Stefan Gross
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Kristin Lehnert
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Petra Lücker
- Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Trauma, Reconstructive Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Nele Friedrich
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Matthias Nauck
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Susanne Bahlmann
- Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Trauma, Reconstructive Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jens Fielitz
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Marcus Dörr
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
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24
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Banerjee A, Somasundaram I, Das D, Jain Manoj S, Banu H, Mitta Suresh P, Paul S, Bisgin A, Zhang H, Sun XF, Duttaroy AK, Pathak S. Functional Foods: A Promising Strategy for Restoring Gut Microbiota Diversity Impacted by SARS-CoV-2 Variants. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15112631. [PMID: 37299594 DOI: 10.3390/nu15112631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural herbs and functional foods contain bioactive molecules capable of augmenting the immune system and mediating anti-viral functions. Functional foods, such as prebiotics, probiotics, and dietary fibers, have been shown to have positive effects on gut microbiota diversity and immune function. The use of functional foods has been linked to enhanced immunity, regeneration, improved cognitive function, maintenance of gut microbiota, and significant improvement in overall health. The gut microbiota plays a critical role in maintaining overall health and immune function, and disruptions to its balance have been linked to various health problems. SARS-CoV-2 infection has been shown to affect gut microbiota diversity, and the emergence of variants poses new challenges to combat the virus. SARS-CoV-2 recognizes and infects human cells through ACE2 receptors prevalent in lung and gut epithelial cells. Humans are prone to SARS-CoV-2 infection because their respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts are rich in microbial diversity and contain high levels of ACE2 and TMPRSS2. This review article explores the potential use of functional foods in mitigating the impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants on gut microbiota diversity, and the potential use of functional foods as a strategy to combat these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antara Banerjee
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Kelambakkam, Chennai 603103, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Indumathi Somasundaram
- Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Kolhapur Institute of Technology's College of Engineering, Kolhapur 416012, Maharashtra, India
| | - Diptimayee Das
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Kelambakkam, Chennai 603103, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Samatha Jain Manoj
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Kelambakkam, Chennai 603103, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Husaina Banu
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Kelambakkam, Chennai 603103, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Pavane Mitta Suresh
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Kelambakkam, Chennai 603103, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sujay Paul
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Queretaro, San Pablo 76130, Mexico
| | - Atil Bisgin
- Department of Medical Genetics, Medical Faculty, Cukurova University, Adana 01250, Turkey
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Orebro University, SE-701 82 Orebro, Sweden
| | - Xiao-Feng Sun
- Division of Ocology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linkoping University, SE-581 83 Linkoping, Sweden
| | - Asim K Duttaroy
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0313 Oslo, Norway
| | - Surajit Pathak
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Kelambakkam, Chennai 603103, Tamil Nadu, India
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Szarpak L, Feduniw S, Pruc M, Ciebiera M, Cander B, Rahnama-Hezavah M, Szarpak Ł. The Vitamin D Serum Levels in Pregnant Women Affected by COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15112588. [PMID: 37299555 DOI: 10.3390/nu15112588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D can modulate immune responses, and its deficiency is linked to increased autoimmunity and susceptibility to infection. In the general population, it has been observed that serum vitamin D levels are connected with the risk of COVID-19 and its severity. Our study aims to examine reported findings on the effect of vitamin D serum levels on infection of COVID-19 during pregnancy. PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for relevant studies. Serum vitamin D serum levels in COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative pregnant women were 24.61 ± 20.86 ng/mL and 24.12 ± 17.33 ng/mL, respectively. In mild vs. moderate to critical COVID-19 pregnant women, vitamin D serum levels were 16.71 ± 9.04 ng/mL vs. 10.7 ± 9.37 ng/mL and severe vs. non-severe were 13.21 ± 11.47 ng/mL vs. 15.76 ± 10.0 ng/mL. Only one study reported vitamin D serum levels in the placenta of COVID-19-positive pregnant women compared with the control and results varied and amounted to 14.06 ± 0.51 ng/mL vs. 12.45 ± 0.58 ng/mL, respectively. Vitamin D deficiency tends to be common in pregnant women who have COVID-19, and the level of this vitamin has been demonstrated to have a strong correlation with the severity of the illness. As vitamin D serum levels correlate with COVID-19 symptoms and even with its occurrence, appropriate vitamin D supplementation in the prenatal period is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Szarpak
- Research Unit, Polish Society of Disaster Medicine, 05-806 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Stepan Feduniw
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Gynecology, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michal Pruc
- Research Unit, Polish Society of Disaster Medicine, 05-806 Warsaw, Poland
- Research Unit, International Academy of Ecology and Medicine, 02091 Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Michal Ciebiera
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 00-189 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Basar Cander
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Bezmialem Vakif University, Fatih, 34093 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mansur Rahnama-Hezavah
- Chair and Department of Oral Surgery, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Łukasz Szarpak
- Henry JN Taub Department of Emergency Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Research Unit, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Bialystok Oncology Center, 15-027 Bialystok, Poland
- Institute of Outcomes Research, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Medical Academy, 00-136 Warsaw, Poland
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Wimalawansa SJ. Physiological Basis for Using Vitamin D to Improve Health. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1542. [PMID: 37371637 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D is essential for life-its sufficiency improves metabolism, hormonal release, immune functions, and maintaining health. Vitamin D deficiency increases the vulnerability and severity of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cancer, obesity, and infections. The active enzyme that generates vitamin D [calcitriol: 1,25(OH)2D], CYP27B1 (1α-hydoxylase), and its receptors (VDRs) are distributed ubiquitously in cells. Once calcitriol binds with VDRs, the complexes are translocated to the nucleus and interact with responsive elements, up- or down-regulating the expression of over 1200 genes and modulating metabolic and physiological functions. Administration of vitamin D3 or correct metabolites at proper doses and frequency for longer periods would achieve the intended benefits. While various tissues have different thresholds for 25(OH)D concentrations, levels above 50 ng/mL are necessary to mitigate conditions such as infections/sepsis, cancer, and reduce premature deaths. Cholecalciferol (D3) (not its metabolites) should be used to correct vitamin D deficiency and raise serum 25(OH)D to the target concentration. In contrast, calcifediol [25(OH)D] raises serum 25(OH)D concentrations rapidly and is the agent of choice in emergencies such as infections, for those who are in ICUs, and for insufficient hepatic 25-hydroxylase (CYP2R1) activity. In contrast, calcitriol is necessary to maintain serum-ionized calcium concentration in persons with advanced renal failure and hypoparathyroidism. Calcitriol is, however, ineffective in most other conditions, including infections, and as vitamin D replacement therapy. Considering the high costs and higher incidence of adverse effects due to narrow therapeutic margins (ED50), 1α-vitamin D analogs, such as 1α-(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D, should not be used for other conditions. Calcifediol analogs cost 20 times more than D3-thus, they are not indicated as a routine vitamin D supplement for hypovitaminosis D, osteoporosis, or renal failure. Healthcare workers should resist accepting inappropriate promotions, such as calcifediol for chronic renal failure and calcitriol for osteoporosis or infections-there is no physiological rationale for doing so. Maintaining the population's vitamin D sufficiency (above 40 ng/mL) with vitamin D3 supplements and/or daily sun exposure is the most cost-effective way to reduce chronic diseases and sepsis, overcome viral epidemics and pandemics, and reduce healthcare costs. Furthermore, vitamin D sufficiency improves overall health (hence reducing absenteeism), reduces the severity of chronic diseases such as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases and cancer, decreases all-cause mortality, and minimizes infection-related complications such as sepsis and COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths. Properly using vitamin D is the most cost-effective way to reduce chronic illnesses and healthcare costs: thus, it should be a part of routine clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil J Wimalawansa
- Medicine, Endocrinology & Nutrition, Cardio Metabolic Institute, (Former) Rutgers University, North Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
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Ceccarini MR, Ripanti F, Raggi V, Paciaroni A, Petrillo C, Comez L, Donato K, Bertelli M, Beccari T, Valentini L. Development of Salmon Sperm DNA/Regenerated Silk Bio-Based Films for Biomedical Studies on Human Keratinocyte HaCaT Cells under Solar Spectrum. J Funct Biomater 2023; 14:jfb14050280. [PMID: 37233390 DOI: 10.3390/jfb14050280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we fabricated adhesive patches from silkworm-regenerated silk and DNA to safeguard human skin from the sun's rays. The patches are realized by exploiting the dissolution of silk fibers (e.g., silk fibroin (SF)) and salmon sperm DNA in formic acid and CaCl2 solutions. Infrared spectroscopy is used to investigate the conformational transition of SF when combined with DNA; the results indicated that the addition of DNA provides an increase in the SF crystallinity. UV-Visible absorption and circular dichroism spectroscopy showed strong absorption in the UV region and the presence of B-form of DNA once dispersed in the SF matrix, respectively. Water absorption measurements as well as thermal dependence of water sorption and thermal analysis, suggested the stability of the fabricated patches. Biological results on cellular viability (MTT assay) of keratinocyte HaCaT cells after exposures to the solar spectrum showed that both SF and SF/DNA patches are photo-protective by increasing the cellular viability of keratinocytes after UV component exposure. Overall, these SF/DNA patches promise applications in wound dressing for practical biomedical purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesca Ripanti
- Department of Physics and Geology, University of Perugia, Via Alessandro Pascoli, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Veronica Raggi
- Polo Scientifico Didattico, University of Perugia, Strada di Pentima 4, 05100 Terni, Italy
| | - Alessandro Paciaroni
- Department of Physics and Geology, University of Perugia, Via Alessandro Pascoli, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Caterina Petrillo
- Department of Physics and Geology, University of Perugia, Via Alessandro Pascoli, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Lucia Comez
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali-IOM, National Research Council-CNR, Via Alessandro Pascoli, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Kevin Donato
- MAGI EUREGIO SCS, Via Maso della Pieve, 60/A, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
- MAGISNAT, Atlanta Tech Park, 107 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092, USA
| | - Matteo Bertelli
- MAGI EUREGIO SCS, Via Maso della Pieve, 60/A, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
- MAGISNAT, Atlanta Tech Park, 107 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092, USA
| | - Tommaso Beccari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Luca Valentini
- Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, University of Perugia, Strada di Pentima 6, 05100 Terni, Italy
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França R, Cordeiro A, Pereira SE, Saboya CJ, Ramalho A. The Effect of Vitamin D Adequacy on Thyroid Hormones and Inflammatory Markers after Bariatric Surgery. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13050603. [PMID: 37233644 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13050603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D status affects the clinical and corporal outcomes of postoperative patients who undergo a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adequate vitamin D serum concentrations on thyroid hormones, body weight, blood cell count, and inflammation after an RYGB. A prospective observational study was conducted with eighty-eight patients from whom we collected blood samples before and 6 months after surgery to evaluate their levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH)D, thyroid hormones, and their blood cell count. Their body weight, body mass index (BMI), total weight loss, and excess weight loss were also evaluated 6 and 12 months after surgery. After 6 months, 58% of the patients achieved an adequate vitamin D nutritional status. Patients in the adequate group showed a decrease in the concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (3.01 vs. 2.22 µUI/mL, p = 0.017) with lower concentrations than the inadequate group at 6 months (2.22 vs. 2.84 µUI/mL, p = 0.020). Six months after surgery, the group with vitamin D adequacy showed a significantly lower BMI compared with the inadequate group at 12 months (31.51 vs. 35.04 kg/m2, p = 0.018). An adequate vitamin D nutritional status seems to favor a significant improvement in one's thyroid hormone levels, immune inflammatory profile, and weight loss performance after an RYGB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta França
- Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-598, Brazil
- Micronutrients Research Center (NPqM), Institute of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Adryana Cordeiro
- Micronutrients Research Center (NPqM), Institute of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Silvia Elaine Pereira
- Micronutrients Research Center (NPqM), Institute of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
- Multidisciplinary Center of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Carlos Saboya, Rio de Janeiro 22280-020, Brazil
| | - Carlos José Saboya
- Multidisciplinary Center of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Carlos Saboya, Rio de Janeiro 22280-020, Brazil
| | - Andrea Ramalho
- Micronutrients Research Center (NPqM), Institute of Nutrition, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
- Department of Social Applied Nutrition, Institute of Nutrition Josué de Castro, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
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Popovska Jovičić B, Raković I, Gavrilović J, Sekulić Marković S, Petrović S, Marković V, Pavković A, Čanović P, Radojević Marjanović R, Irić-Čupić V, Popović Dragonjić L, Milosavljević MZ. Vitamin D, Albumin, and D-Dimer as Significant Prognostic Markers in Early Hospitalization in Patients with COVID-19. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12082825. [PMID: 37109161 PMCID: PMC10145116 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12082825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 continues to pose a major challenge to scientists and clinicians. We examined the significance of the serum concentrations of vitamin D, albumin, and D-dimer for the severity of the clinical picture and mortality in COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 288 patients treated for COVID-19 infection participated in the research. The patients were treated in the period from May 2020 to January 2021. All patients were divided based on the need for oxygen therapy (Sat > 94%) into patients with mild or severe clinical pictures. The biochemical and radiographic parameters of the patients were analyzed. Appropriate statistical methods were used in the statistical analysis. RESULTS In patients with COVID-19 with confirmed severe clinical pictures, lower values of serum albumin (p < 0.0005) and vitamin D (p = 0.004) were recorded, as opposed to elevated values of D-dimer (p < 0.0005). Accordingly, the patients with fatal disease outcomes had lower levels of albumin (p < 0.0005) and vitamin D (p = 0.002), while their D-dimer (p < 0.0005) levels were elevated. An increase in the radiographic score, as a parameter for assessing the severity of the clinical picture, was accompanied by a decrease in serum albumin (p < 0.0005) and a simultaneous increase in D-dimer (p < 0.0005), without a change in the vitamin D concentration (p = 0.261). We also demonstrated the interrelations of the serum levels of vitamin D, albumin, and D-dimer in patients with COVID-19 as well as their significance as predictors of the outcome of the disease. CONCLUSION The significance of the predictive parameters in our study indicates the existence of an important combined role of vitamin D, albumin, and D-dimer in the early diagnosis of the most severe patients suffering from COVID-19. Reduced values of vitamin D and albumin, in combination with elevated values of D-dimer, can be timely indicators of the development of a severe clinical picture and death due to COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biljana Popovska Jovičić
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Center Kragujevac, Zmaj Jovina 30, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Ivana Raković
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Center Kragujevac, Zmaj Jovina 30, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Jagoda Gavrilović
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Center Kragujevac, Zmaj Jovina 30, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Sofija Sekulić Marković
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Center Kragujevac, Zmaj Jovina 30, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Sara Petrović
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Center Kragujevac, Zmaj Jovina 30, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Vladan Marković
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Department of Radiological Diagnostics, University Clinical Center Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Aleksandar Pavković
- Department of Radiological Diagnostics, University Clinical Center Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Predrag Čanović
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Center Kragujevac, Zmaj Jovina 30, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Ružica Radojević Marjanović
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Center Kragujevac, Zmaj Jovina 30, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Violeta Irić-Čupić
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
- Clinic for Cardiology, University Clinical Center Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Lidija Popović Dragonjić
- University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine in Nis, Cathedra for Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, Blvd. Dr Zorana Djindjica 81, 18000 Niš, Serbia
- Clinic for Infectology, University Clinical Center Niš, 18000 Niš, Serbia
| | - Miloš Z Milosavljević
- Department of Pathology, University Clinical Center Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
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Lauretani F, Salvi M, Zucchini I, Testa C, Cattabiani C, Arisi A, Maggio M. Relationship between Vitamin D and Immunity in Older People with COVID-19. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20085432. [PMID: 37107714 PMCID: PMC10138672 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20085432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Vitamin D is a group of lipophilic hormones with pleiotropic actions. It has been traditionally related to bone metabolism, although several studies in the last decade have suggested its role in sarcopenia, cardiovascular and neurological diseases, insulin-resistance and diabetes, malignancies, and autoimmune diseases and infections. In the pandemic era, by considering the response of the different branches of the immune system to SARS-CoV-2 infection, our aims are both to analyse, among the pleiotropic effects of vitamin D, how its strong multimodal modulatory effect on the immune system is able to affect the pathophysiology of COVID-19 disease and to emphasise a possible relationship between the well-known circannual fluctuations in blood levels of this hormone and the epidemiological trend of this infection, particularly in the elderly population. The biologically active form of vitamin D, or calcitriol, can influence both the innate and the adaptive arm of the immune response. Calcifediol levels have been found to be inversely correlated with upper respiratory tract infections in several studies, and this activity seems to be related to its role in the innate immunity. Cathelicidin is one of the main underlying mechanisms since this peptide increases the phagocytic and germicidal activity acting as chemoattractant for neutrophils and monocytes, and representing the first barrier in the respiratory epithelium to pathogenic invasion. Furthermore, vitamin D exerts a predominantly inhibitory action on the adaptive immune response, and it influences either cell-mediated or humoral immunity through suppression of B cells proliferation, immunoglobulins production or plasma cells differentiation. This role is played by promoting the shift from a type 1 to a type 2 immune response. In particular, the suppression of Th1 response is due to the inhibition of T cells proliferation, pro-inflammatory cytokines production (e.g., INF-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-17) and macrophage activation. Finally, T cells also play a fundamental role in viral infectious diseases. CD4 T cells provide support to B cells antibodies production and coordinate the activity of the other immunological cells; moreover, CD8 T lymphocytes remove infected cells and reduce viral load. For all these reasons, calcifediol could have a protective role in the lung damage produced by COVID-19 by both modulating the sensitivity of tissue to angiotensin II and promoting overexpression of ACE-2. Promising results for the potential effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in reducing the severity of COVID-19 disease was demonstrated in a pilot clinical trial of 76 hospitalised patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection where oral calcifediol administration reduced the need for ICU treatment. These interesting results need to be confirmed in larger studies with available information on vitamin D serum levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulvio Lauretani
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy
- Cognitive and Motor Center, Medicine and Geriatric-Rehabilitation Department of Parma, University-Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0521-703325
| | - Marco Salvi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy
- Cognitive and Motor Center, Medicine and Geriatric-Rehabilitation Department of Parma, University-Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Irene Zucchini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy
- Cognitive and Motor Center, Medicine and Geriatric-Rehabilitation Department of Parma, University-Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Crescenzo Testa
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy
- Cognitive and Motor Center, Medicine and Geriatric-Rehabilitation Department of Parma, University-Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Chiara Cattabiani
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy
- Cognitive and Motor Center, Medicine and Geriatric-Rehabilitation Department of Parma, University-Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Arianna Arisi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy
| | - Marcello Maggio
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy
- Cognitive and Motor Center, Medicine and Geriatric-Rehabilitation Department of Parma, University-Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
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Baroni L, Pelosi E, Giampieri F, Battino M. The VegPlate for Sports: A Plant-Based Food Guide for Athletes. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15071746. [PMID: 37049586 PMCID: PMC10097385 DOI: 10.3390/nu15071746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Nutrition strategies improve physiological and biochemical adaptation to training, facilitate more intense workouts, promote faster recoveries after a workout in anticipation of the next, and help to prepare for a race and maintain the body’s hydration status. Although vegetarianism (i.e., lacto-ovo and veganism) has become increasingly popular in recent years, the number of vegetarian athletes is not known, and no specific recommendations have been made for vegetarian dietary planning in sports. Well-planned diets are mandatory to obtain the best performance, and the available literature reports that those excluding all types of flesh foods (meat, poultry, game, and seafood) neither find advantages nor suffer from disadvantages, compared to omnivorous diets, for strength, anaerobic, or aerobic exercise performance; additionally, some benefits can be derived for general health. Methods: We conceived the VegPlate for Sports, a vegetarian food guide (VFG) based on the already-validated VegPlate facilitating method, designed according to the Italian dietary reference intakes (DRIs). Results: The VegPlate for Sports is suitable for men and women who are active in sports and adhere to a vegetarian (i.e., lacto-ovo and vegan) diet, and provides weight-based, adequate dietary planning. Conclusions: The VegPlate for Sports represents a practical tool for nutrition professionals and gives the possibility to plan diets based on energy, carbohydrate (CHO), and protein (PRO) necessities, from 50 to 90 Kg body weight (BW).
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Baroni
- Scientific Society for Vegetarian Nutrition, 30171 Venice, Italy
| | - Ettore Pelosi
- Sport Nutrition Department, Multispecialistic Medical Center, CDC-Affidea, 10128 Turin, Italy
- PET/CT Nuclear Medicine Department, Irmet Affidea Center, 10135 Turin, Italy
| | - Francesca Giampieri
- Research Group on Food, Nutritional Biochemistry and Health, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, 39011 Santander, Spain
| | - Maurizio Battino
- International Research Center for Food Nutrition and Safety, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
- Department of Clinical Specialistic and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Politecnica delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy
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Iloanusi ON, Iloanusi NI, Ross AA. Analyzing the impact of vaccinations and weather factors on the COVID-19 pandemic. Curr Med Res Opin 2023; 39:719-729. [PMID: 37009993 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2023.2197493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A world-wide immunization project was launched at the peak of COVID-19 pandemic to contain and minimize the adverse effects of SARS-CoV-2 virus. We carried out a series of statistical analyses in this paper to determine, confirm and quantify the impact of the vaccinations on COVID-19 cases and mortalities, amidst critical confounding factors - temperature and solar irradiance. METHODS The experiments in this paper were carried out on the world data, data from 21 countries and the five major continents. The significance of the 2020 - 2022 vaccinations on the COVID-19 cases and mortalities response data were evaluated via Hypotheses' tests. Correlation coefficient analyses were carried out to determine the extent of the relationship between vaccination coverage and corresponding COVID-19 mortalities data. The impact of vaccination was quantified. The effects of the weather factors - temperature and solar irradiance, on COVID-19 cases and mortalities data were analyzed. RESULTS The series of hypotheses tests carried out reveal that vaccinations did not affect cases; however, vaccinations significantly impacted the mean daily mortalities in all five major continents and globally. The correlation coefficient analysis results show vaccination coverage to be highly and negatively correlated with daily mortalities in the world - the five major continents and most of the countries studied in this work. The percentage reduction in mortalities as a result of wider vaccination coverage was indeed significant. Temperature and solar irradiance impacted daily COVID-19 cases and mortalities data during the vaccination and post vaccination periods. CONCLUSION Results show that the world-wide Vaccination against COVID-19 project had a significant impact in reducing mortalities and minimizing the adverse effects due to COVID-19 globally, in all five (5) major continents of the world and the countries studied in this work, however, temperature and solar irradiance still had effects on COVID-19 response in the vaccination eras.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ogechukwu N Iloanusi
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Nneka I Iloanusi
- Department of Radiation Medicine, College of Medicine. University of Nigeria, Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Arun A Ross
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
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Basińska-Lewandowska M, Lewandowski K, Horzelski W, Lewiński A, Skowrońska-Jóźwiak E. Frequency of COVID-19 Infection as a Function of Vitamin D Levels. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15071581. [PMID: 37049423 PMCID: PMC10097275 DOI: 10.3390/nu15071581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been speculated that higher concentrations of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25OHD) provide some protection against COVID-19. We assessed whether there is any relationship between 25OHD concentrations and the subsequent development of COVID-19 infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS Concentrations of 25OHD were measured in March-April 2020 in 134 healthy subjects (57 males), age range 6-50, from a single urban general practice in central Poland. Data on COVID-19 infection during the subsequent 12 months (prior to the vaccination program) were obtained from the national database of COVID-19 cases. None of the subjects received any 25OHD supplements. RESULTS The average 25OHD concentrations were 18.1 ± 7.39 ng/mL (37.3% had 25OHD above 20 ng/mL). Thirty-one (23.1%) patients developed COVID-19 infection, but an increased risk was only observed in individuals with 25OHD concentrations below 12 ng/mL (COVID-19 infection in 11 out of 25 patients (44%) with 25OHD < 12 ng/mL versus 20 out of 109 (18.3%) for those with 25OHD above 12 ng/mL, p = 0.0063). Such a relationship was no longer observed for subjects with 25OHD concentrations above 20 ng/mL (p = 0.2787). CONCLUSIONS Although only a minority of healthy subjects had 25OHD concentrations above 20 ng/mL in spring, an increased risk of subsequent COVID-19 infection was only observed in those with severe 25OHD deficiency (<12 ng/mL).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Krzysztof Lewandowski
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital-Research Institute, 93-338 Lodz, Poland
| | - Wojciech Horzelski
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Lodz, 90-238 Lodz, Poland
| | - Andrzej Lewiński
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital-Research Institute, 93-338 Lodz, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Skowrońska-Jóźwiak
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital-Research Institute, 93-338 Lodz, Poland
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Grant WB, Al Anouti F, Boucher BJ, Fakhoury HMA, Moukayed M, Pilz S, Al-Daghri NM. Evidence That Increasing Serum 25(OH)D Concentrations to 30 ng/mL in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates Could Greatly Improve Health Outcomes. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11040994. [PMID: 37189612 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11040994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence supports the potential protective effects of vitamin D against chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, autoimmune diseases, cancers, cardiovascular disease (ischaemic heart disease and stroke), type 2 diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, stroke, and infectious diseases such as acute respiratory tract diseases, COVID-19, influenza, and pneumonia, as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes. The respective evidence is based on ecological and observational studies, randomized controlled trials, mechanistic studies, and Mendelian randomization studies. However, randomized controlled trials on vitamin D supplementation have largely failed to show benefits, probably due to poor design and analysis. In this work, we aim to use the best available evidence on the potential beneficial effects of vitamin D to estimate the expected reduction in incidence and mortality rates of vitamin D-related diseases in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates if minimum serum 25(OH)D concentrations were to be raised to 30 ng/mL. Estimated reductions by 25% for myocardial infarction incidence, 35% for stroke incidence, 20 to 35% for cardiovascular disease mortality, and 35% for cancer mortality rates depicted a promising potential for raising serum 25(OH)D. Methods to increase serum 25(OH)D concentrations at the population level could include food fortification with vitamin D3, vitamin D supplementation, improved dietary vitamin D intake, and sensible sun exposure.
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Papaemmanouil A, Bakaloudi DR, Gkantali K, Kalopitas G, Metallidis S, Germanidis G, Chourdakis M. Phase Angle and Handgrip Strength as Predictors of Clinical Outcomes in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15061409. [PMID: 36986138 PMCID: PMC10057973 DOI: 10.3390/nu15061409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Phase angle (PhA) and muscle strength are predictors of clinical outcomes in critically ill patients. Malnutrition may affect body composition measurements. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the association between PhA and handgrip strength (HGS), and clinical outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The study included a total of 102 patients. Both PhA and HGS were measured twice, within 48 h of hospital admission and on the 7th day of hospitalization. The primary outcome was the clinical status on the 28th day of hospitalization. Secondary outcomes included the hospital length of stay (LOS), the concentrations of ferritin, C-reactive protein and albumin, oxygen requirements and the severity of pneumonia. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and Spearman rS correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis. No differences were found for PhA [on day 1 (p = 0.769) and day 7 (p = 0.807)] and the primary outcome. A difference was found between HGS on day 1 and the primary outcome (p = 0.008), while no difference was found for HGS on day 7 (p = 0.476). Body mass index was found to be associated with the oxygen requirement on day 7 (p = 0.005). LOS was correlated neither with PhA (rs = −0.081, p = 0.422) nor with HGS (rs = 0.137, p = 0.177) on the first day. HGS could be a useful indicator of clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients, while PhA does not seem to have a clinical impact. However, further research is needed to validate the results of our study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Androniki Papaemmanouil
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitra Rafailia Bakaloudi
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Konstantina Gkantali
- Division of Infectious Diseases, 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios Kalopitas
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Simeon Metallidis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios Germanidis
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Michael Chourdakis
- Laboratory of Hygiene, Social & Preventive Medicine and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Correspondence:
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Gottlieb C, Henrich M, Liu PT, Yacoubian V, Wang J, Chun R, Adams JS. High- Throughput CAMP Assay (HiTCA): A Novel Tool for Evaluating the Vitamin D-Dependent Antimicrobial Response. Nutrients 2023; 15:1380. [PMID: 36986109 PMCID: PMC10051182 DOI: 10.3390/nu15061380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D is known to modulate human immune responses, and vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased susceptibility to infection. However, what constitutes sufficient levels or whether vitamin D is useful as an adjuvant therapeutic is debated, much in part because of inadequate elucidation of mechanisms underlying vitamin D's immune modulatory function. Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP) has potent broad-spectrum activity, and the CAMP gene is regulated in human innate immune cells by active 1,25(OH)2D3, a product of hydroxylation of inactive 25(OH)D3 by CYP27B1-hydroxylase. We developed a CRISPR/Cas9-edited human monocyte-macrophage cell line containing the mCherry fluorescent reporter gene at the 3' end of the endogenous CAMP gene. The High Throughput CAMP Assay (HiTCA) developed here is a novel tool for evaluating CAMP expression in a stable cell line that is scalable for a high-throughput workflow. Application of HiTCA to serum samples from a small number of human donors (n = 10) showed individual differences in CAMP induction that were not fully accounted for by the serum vitamin D metabolite status of the host. As such, HiTCA may be a useful tool that can advance our understanding of the human vitamin D-dependent antimicrobial response, which is being increasingly appreciated for its complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carter Gottlieb
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Mason Henrich
- Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Philip T. Liu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Vahe Yacoubian
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jeffery Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Rene Chun
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - John S. Adams
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Mok CK, Ng YL, Ahidjo BA, Aw ZQ, Chen H, Wong YH, Lee RCH, Loe MWC, Liu J, Tan KS, Kaur P, Wang DY, Hao E, Hou X, Tan YW, Deng J, Chu JJH. Evaluation of In Vitro and In Vivo Antiviral Activities of Vitamin D for SARS-CoV-2 and Variants. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030925. [PMID: 36986786 PMCID: PMC10058714 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented medical and healthcare challenges worldwide. With the continual emergence and spread of new COVID-19 variants, four drug compound libraries were interrogated for their antiviral activities against SARS-CoV-2. Here, we show that the drug screen has resulted in 121 promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 compounds, of which seven were further shortlisted for hit validation: citicoline, pravastatin sodium, tenofovir alafenamide, imatinib mesylate, calcitriol, dexlansoprazole, and prochlorperazine dimaleate. In particular, the active form of vitamin D, calcitriol, exhibits strong potency against SARS-CoV-2 on cell-based assays and is shown to work by modulating the vitamin D receptor pathway to increase antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin expression. However, the weight, survival rate, physiological conditions, histological scoring, and virus titre between SARS-CoV-2 infected K18-hACE2 mice pre-treated or post-treated with calcitriol were negligible, indicating that the differential effects of calcitriol may be due to differences in vitamin D metabolism in mice and warrants future investigation using other animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chee-Keng Mok
- Biosafety Level 3 Core Facility, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Yan Ling Ng
- Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
- Infectious Disease Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Bintou Ahmadou Ahidjo
- Biosafety Level 3 Core Facility, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
- Infectious Disease Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Zhen Qin Aw
- Biosafety Level 3 Core Facility, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
- Infectious Disease Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Huixin Chen
- Biosafety Level 3 Core Facility, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
- Infectious Disease Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Yi Hao Wong
- Biosafety Level 3 Core Facility, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
- Infectious Disease Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Regina Ching Hua Lee
- Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
- Infectious Disease Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Marcus Wing Choy Loe
- Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
- Infectious Disease Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Kai Sen Tan
- Biosafety Level 3 Core Facility, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Infectious Disease Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
- Department of Otolaryngology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Parveen Kaur
- Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
- Infectious Disease Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - De Yun Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Erwei Hao
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530200, China
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Research on Functional Ingredients of Agricultural Residues, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530200, China
- China-ASEAN Joint Laboratory for International Cooperation in Traditional Medicine Research, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530200, China
| | - Xiaotao Hou
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530200, China
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Research on Functional Ingredients of Agricultural Residues, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530200, China
- China-ASEAN Joint Laboratory for International Cooperation in Traditional Medicine Research, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530200, China
| | - Yong Wah Tan
- Collaborative and Translation Unit for HFMD, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Jiagang Deng
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530200, China
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Research on Functional Ingredients of Agricultural Residues, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530200, China
- China-ASEAN Joint Laboratory for International Cooperation in Traditional Medicine Research, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530200, China
| | - Justin Jang Hann Chu
- Biosafety Level 3 Core Facility, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Laboratory of Molecular RNA Virology and Antiviral Strategies, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
- Infectious Disease Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
- Collaborative and Translation Unit for HFMD, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore 138673, Singapore
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +65-65163278
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The Effect of Weekly 50,000 IU Vitamin D 3 Supplements on the Serum Levels of Selected Cytokines Involved in Cytokine Storm: A Randomized Clinical Trial in Adults with Vitamin D Deficiency. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15051188. [PMID: 36904187 PMCID: PMC10005440 DOI: 10.3390/nu15051188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
This research aimed to evaluate the effects of high-dose cholecalciferol (VD3) supplements (50,000 IU/week) on selected circulating cytokines associated with cytokine storms in adults with vitamin D deficiency. This clinical trial, based in Jordan, included 50 participants receiving vitamin D3 supplements (50,000 IU/week) for 8 weeks; the exact number was assigned to the control group. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrotic factor-α (TNF-α), and leptin were measured in serum at baseline and 10 weeks (wash out: 2 weeks). Our results revealed that vitamin D3 supplementation significantly increased the serum levels of 25OHD, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, and leptin compared with baseline. In contrast, the serum level of TNF-α insignificantly increased in the group receiving vitamin D3 supplementation. Although the observations of this trial may refer to a potential negative effect of VD3 supplementation during cytokine storms, further trials are required to clarify the potential benefits of VD3 supplement during cytokine storms.
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Vitamin D Deficiency Prevalence in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 Significantly Decreased during the Pandemic in Slovakia from 2020 to 2022 Which Was Associated with Decreasing Mortality. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15051132. [PMID: 36904131 PMCID: PMC10005285 DOI: 10.3390/nu15051132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to changes in lifestyle, which could influence vitamin D status on a population level. The purpose of our study was to compare 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels in patients hospitalized because of severe COVID-19 during two waves of the pandemic (2020/21 vs. 2021/22). A total of 101 patients from the 2021/22 wave were compared with 101 sex- and age-matched subjects from the 2020/21 wave. Patients from both groups were hospitalized during the winter season from 1 December to 28 February. Men and women were analyzed together and separately. The mean 25(OH)D concentration increased from 17.8 ± 9.7 ng/mL to 25.2 ± 12.6 ng/mL between waves. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) decreased from 82% to 54%. The prevalence of adequate serum 25(OH)D concentration (>30 ng/mL) increased from 10% to 34% (p < 0.0001). The proportion of patients with a history of vitamin D supplementation increased from 18% to 44% (p < 0.0001). Low serum 25(OH)D concentration was independently associated with mortality after adjusting for age and sex for the whole cohort of patients (p < 0.0001). The prevalence of inadequate vitamin D status in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Slovakia decreased significantly, probably due to a higher rate of vitamin D supplementation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Guidelines for Preventing and Treating Vitamin D Deficiency: A 2023 Update in Poland. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15030695. [PMID: 36771403 PMCID: PMC9920487 DOI: 10.3390/nu15030695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: All epidemiological studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among the Polish general population. Since vitamin D deficiency was shown to be among the risk factors for many diseases and for all-cause mortality, concern about this problem led us to update the previous Polish recommendations. Methods: After reviewing the epidemiological evidence, case-control studies and randomized control trials (RCTs), a Polish multidisciplinary group formulated questions on the recommendations for prophylaxis and treatment of vitamin D deficiency both for the general population and for the risk groups of patients. The scientific evidence of pleiotropic effects of vitamin D as well as the results of panelists' voting were reviewed and discussed. Thirty-four authors representing different areas of expertise prepared position statements. The consensus group, representing eight Polish/international medical societies and eight national specialist consultants, prepared the final Polish recommendations. Results: Based on networking discussions, the ranges of total serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration indicating vitamin D deficiency [<20 ng/mL (<50 nmol/L)], suboptimal status [20-30 ng/mL (50-75 nmol/L)], and optimal concentration [30-50 ng/mL (75-125 nmol/L)] were confirmed. Practical guidelines for cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) as the first choice for prophylaxis and treatment of vitamin D deficiency were developed. Calcifediol dosing as the second choice for preventing and treating vitamin D deficiency was introduced. Conclusions: Improving the vitamin D status of the general population and treatment of risk groups of patients must be again announced as healthcare policy to reduce a risk of spectrum of diseases. This paper offers consensus statements on prophylaxis and treatment strategies for vitamin D deficiency in Poland.
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Protective Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on COVID-19-Related Intensive Care Hospitalization and Mortality: Definitive Evidence from Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16010130. [PMID: 36678627 PMCID: PMC9864223 DOI: 10.3390/ph16010130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic represents one of the world's most important challenges for global public healthcare. Various studies have found an association between severe vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19-related outcomes. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in immune function and inflammation. Recent data have suggested a protective role of vitamin D in COVID-19-related health outcomes. The purpose of this meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA) was to better explain the strength of the association between the protective role of vitamin D supplementation and the risk of mortality and admission to intensive care units (ICUs) in patients with COVID-19. METHODS We searched four databases on 20 September 2022. Two reviewers screened the randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and assessed the risk of bias, independently and in duplicate. The pre-specified outcomes of interest were mortality and ICU admission. RESULTS We identified 78 bibliographic citations. After the reviewers' screening, only five RCTs were found to be suitable for our analysis. We performed meta-analyses and then TSAs. Vitamin D administration results in a decreased risk of death and ICU admission (standardized mean difference (95% CI): 0.49 (0.34-0.72) and 0.28 (0.20-0.39), respectively). The TSA of the protective role of vitamin D and ICU admission showed that, since the pooling of the studies reached a definite sample size, the positive association is conclusive. The TSA of the protective role of vitamin D in mortality risk showed that the z-curve was inside the alpha boundaries, indicating that the positive results need further studies. DISCUSSION The results of the meta-analyses and respective TSAs suggest a definitive association between the protective role of vitamin D and ICU hospitalization.
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Kerch G. Severe COVID-19-A Review of Suggested Mechanisms Based on the Role of Extracellular Matrix Stiffness. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:1187. [PMID: 36674700 PMCID: PMC9861790 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The severity of COVID-19 commonly depends on age-related tissue stiffness. The aim was to review publications that explain the effect of microenvironmental extracellular matrix stiffness on cellular processes. Platelets and endothelial cells are mechanosensitive. Increased tissue stiffness can trigger cytokine storm with the upregulated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin IL-6, and tissue integrity disruption, leading to enhanced virus entry and disease severity. Increased tissue stiffness in critically ill COVID-19 patients triggers platelet activation and initiates plague formation and thrombosis development. Cholesterol content in cell membrane increases with aging and further enhances tissue stiffness. Membrane cholesterol depletion decreases virus entry to host cells. Membrane cholesterol lowering drugs, such as statins or novel chitosan derivatives, have to be further developed for application in COVID-19 treatment. Statins are also known to decrease arterial stiffness mitigating cardiovascular diseases. Sulfated chitosan derivatives can be further developed for potential use in future as anticoagulants in prevention of severe COVID-19. Anti-TNF-α therapies as well as destiffening therapies have been suggested to combat severe COVID-19. The inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells pathway must be considered as a therapeutic target in the treatment of severe COVID-19 patients. The activation of mechanosensitive platelets by higher matrix stiffness increases their adhesion and the risk of thrombus formation, thus enhancing the severity of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garry Kerch
- Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry, Riga Technical University, 1048 Riga, Latvia
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Vitamin D3 Supplementation at 5000 IU Daily for the Prevention of Influenza-like Illness in Healthcare Workers: A Pragmatic Randomized Clinical Trial. Nutrients 2022; 15:nu15010180. [PMID: 36615837 PMCID: PMC9823308 DOI: 10.3390/nu15010180] [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: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D supplementation has been shown to reduce the incidence of acute respiratory infections in populations at risk. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of preventing viral infections in healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to assess the hypothesis that vitamin D3 supplementation at 5000 IU daily reduces influenza-like illness (ILI), including COVID-19, in healthcare workers. We conducted a prospective, controlled trial at a tertiary university hospital. A random group of healthcare workers was invited to receive 5000 IU daily vitamin D3 supplementation for nine months, while other random healthcare system workers served as controls. All healthcare workers were required to self-monitor and report to employee health for COVID-19 testing when experiencing symptoms of ILI. COVID-19 test results were retrieved. Incidence rates were compared between the vitamin D and control groups. Workers in the intervention group were included in the analysis if they completed at least 2 months of supplementation to ensure adequate vitamin D levels. The primary analysis compared the incidence rate of all ILI, while secondary analyses examined incidence rates of COVID-19 ILI and non-COVID-19 ILI. Between October 2020 and November 2021, 255 healthcare workers (age 47 ± 12 years, 199 women) completed at least two months of vitamin D3 supplementation. The control group consisted of 2827 workers. Vitamin D3 5000 IU supplementation was associated with a lower risk of ILI (incidence rate difference: -1.7 × 10-4/person-day, 95%-CI: -3.0 × 10-4 to -3.3 × 10-5/person-day, p = 0.015) and a lower incidence rate for non-COVID-19 ILI (incidence rate difference: -1.3 × 10-4/person-day, 95%-CI -2.5 × 10-4 to -7.1 × 10-6/person-day, p = 0.038). COVID-19 ILI incidence was not statistically different (incidence rate difference: -4.2 × 10-5/person-day, 95%-CI: -10.0 × 10-5 to 1.5 × 10-5/person-day, p = 0.152). Daily supplementation with 5000 IU vitamin D3 reduces influenza-like illness in healthcare workers.
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Pinzariu AC, Sova IA, Maranduca MA, Filip N, Drochioi IC, Vamesu CG, Clim A, Hurjui LL, Moscalu M, Soroceanu RP, Serban DN, Serban IL. Vitamin D Deficiency in Both Oral and Systemic Manifestations in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Updated Review. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 59:medicina59010068. [PMID: 36676692 PMCID: PMC9866644 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59010068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The specialized literature emphasizes the fact that vitamin D has a potentially beneficial effect in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this article is to highlight the role of vitamin D, both prophylactic and curative, in the treatment of patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Even though its relevance is still unknown and causes various controversies, there is currently no specific treatment for patients diagnosed with COVID-19. There are various prevention strategies with new vaccination schedules, but additional randomized and clinical trials are still needed to combat this pandemic. In addition to the systemic manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection, oral manifestations of this disease have also been described in the literature. The etiology of oral manifestations associated with COVID-19 infection and vitamin D deficiency remains controversial. In the present studies, oral manifestations such as salivary gland infections, aphthae, erythema, gingivitis, ulcers, etc. have been reported. This is a new topic, and the prevalence of manifestations is described in only a few studies, which is inconsistent with the number of COVID-19 cases reported since the beginning of the pandemic. The clinical symptomatology in patients with current COVID-19 infection is polymorphic. Whether the oral manifestation is directly caused by SARS-CoV-2 or a secondary manifestation remains an important topic to analyze and discuss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alin Constantin Pinzariu
- Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences II, Discipline of Physiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ivona Andreea Sova
- IOSUD Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Minela Aida Maranduca
- Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences II, Discipline of Physiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Internal Medicine Clinic, “St. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Nina Filip
- Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences II, Discipline of Biochemistry, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ilie Cristian Drochioi
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Reconstructive, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700020 Iasi, Romania
| | - Calin George Vamesu
- Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences II, Discipline of Physiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Andreea Clim
- Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences II, Discipline of Physiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Loredana Liliana Hurjui
- Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences II, Discipline of Physiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Mihaela Moscalu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Radu Petru Soroceanu
- Department of Surgery I, Discipline of Surgical Semiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Dragomir Nicolae Serban
- Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences II, Discipline of Physiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ionela Lacramioara Serban
- Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences II, Discipline of Physiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
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Isidorio UDA, de Assis EV, Lacerda SNB, Feitosa ADNA, Alves BDCA, Gascón T, da Veiga GL, Fonseca FLA. Relationship between Lifestyle and Residence Area with 25(OH)D Levels in Older Adults. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:407. [PMID: 36612728 PMCID: PMC9819462 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate whether the habitat of older adults living in the urban and rural areas is a contributing factor to altered serum 25(OH)D levels. An analytical, cross-sectional research with a quantitative approach was conducted in the upper backwoods of Paraíba with older adults registered at the Reference Center for Social Assistance (CRAS), addressing residents of both rural area (n = 41) and urban area (n = 43) who were randomly chosen to participate in the study. Data collection took place between January and February 2020. Higher rates of handgrip strength were observed in rural older adults (29.22 ± 8.92 Kgf) with serum 25(OH)D levels in the range of 30 to 40 ng/mL when compared to older adults with concentrations below 30 ng/mL (21.82 ± 5.00 Kgf) and above 40 ng/mL (23.47 ± 6.88 Kgf). Older people living in the urban area, with 25(OH)D levels above 40 ng/mL, presented a lower muscle power index when compared to individuals with vitamin levels from 21 to 29 ng/mL (17.40 ± 6.34 s; 15.33 ± 2.00 s). The urbanization associated with 25(OH)D levels can cause changes in skeletal and respiratory muscle strength, because the habitat associated with 25(OH)D levels affects the parameters of muscle strength of the upper limbs for older adults living in a rural area and the muscle strength of the lower limbs for those living in an urban area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ubiraídys de Andrade Isidorio
- Departamento de Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade Santa Maria de Cajazeiras, Cajazeiras 58900-000, Brazil
- Laboratório de Análises Clínicas, Centro Universitário FMABC, Santo André 09060-870, Brazil
| | - Elisangela Vilar de Assis
- Departamento de Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade Santa Maria de Cajazeiras, Cajazeiras 58900-000, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Thais Gascón
- Laboratório de Análises Clínicas, Centro Universitário FMABC, Santo André 09060-870, Brazil
| | | | - Fernando Luiz Affonso Fonseca
- Laboratório de Análises Clínicas, Centro Universitário FMABC, Santo André 09060-870, Brazil
- Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09972-270, Brazil
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Association between Vitamin D Status and Secondary Infections in Patients with Severe COVID-19 Admitted in the Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary-Level Hospital in Turkey. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 13:diagnostics13010059. [PMID: 36611352 PMCID: PMC9818803 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13010059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
There are several studies showing that the vitamin D status can determine risk of COVID-19 infections, severity and mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the association between vitamin D (25(OH)D) and secondary infections in the prognosis of COVID-19 patients has not been reported yet. The aim was to investigate whether the vitamin D status affects the rates of secondary infections in patients with severe COVID-19 hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary-level hospital in Turkey. The data of 194 patients with diagnosis of severe COVID-19 who were admitted to the ICU from March 2020 to June 2021 and older than 18 years were evaluated in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into two groups according to total serum 25(OH)D level as normal group (≥20 ng/mL) and low group (<20 ng/mL). The 25(OH)D level was low in 118 (60.8%) and normal in 76 (39.2%) patients. The mean age of the low group was significantly higher than that of the normal group (67.02 ± 14.47 vs. 61.70 ± 14.38; p = 0.013). The systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as the Glasgow coma scale score of the low group were significantly lower than that of the normal group (p = 0.004, 0.002 and 0.001, respectively). The intubation rate and APACHE (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation) score of the low group was significantly higher than that of the normal group (p = 0.001). The platelets number and blood pH decreased, and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, procalcitonin, lactate, urea, creatinine and lactate dehydrogenase concentrations increased significantly in the low group (p < 0.05). The mortality rate was 79.7% in the low group and 22.4% in the normal group (p < 0.001). Microbiological growth was observed in 68.6% of the normal group and 52.6% of the normal group (p = 0.025). The number of cultures with resistant bacteria was significantly higher in the low group (25.9%) than that in the normal group (17.5%) (p = 0.035). The severe COVID-19 patients hospitalized with vitamin D deficiency may have increased risks of poor prognosis and mortality due to secondary infections in the ICU.
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Khojah HMJ, Ahmed SA, Al-Thagfan SS, Alahmadi YM, Abdou YA. The Impact of Serum Levels of Vitamin D3 and Its Metabolites on the Prognosis and Disease Severity of COVID-19. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14245329. [PMID: 36558489 PMCID: PMC9784025 DOI: 10.3390/nu14245329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D is among the increasingly consumed dietary supplements during the COVID-19 pandemic. It plays a regulatory role in the immune system and moderates the renin-angiotensin system, which is implicated in infection pathogenesis. However, the investigation of serum levels of vitamin D3 forms and their relative ratios in COVID-19 patients is worth investigation to understand the impacts of disease severity. Hence, we investigated the serum levels of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and its metabolites (calcifediol and calcitriol), in addition to their relative ratios and correlations with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), interleukin-6 (Il-6), and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in COVID-19 patients compared with healthy controls. Oropharyngeal specimens were collected from the study subjects for polymerase chain reaction testing for COVID-19. Whole blood samples were obtained for blood count and NLR testing, and sera were used for the analysis of the levels of the vitamin and its metabolites, ACE2, and IL-6. We enrolled 103 patients and 50 controls. ACE2, Il-6, and NLR were significantly higher in the patients group (72.37 ± 18.67 vs. 32.36 ± 11.27 U/L, 95.84 ± 25.23 vs. 2.76 ± 0.62 pg/mL, and 1.61 ± 0.30 vs. 1.07 ± 0.16, respectively). Cholecalciferol, calcifediol, and calcitriol were significantly lower in patients (18.50 ± 5.36 vs. 29.13 ± 4.94 ng/mL, 14.60 ± 3.30 vs. 23.10 ± 3.02 ng/mL, and 42.90 ± 8.44 vs. 65.15 ± 7.11 pg/mL, respectively). However, their relative ratios were normal in both groups. Levels of the vitamin and metabolites were strongly positively, strongly negatively, and moderately negatively correlated with ACE2, Il-6, and NLR, respectively. COVID-19 infection severity is associated with a significant decrease in vitamin D3 and its metabolites in a parallel pattern, and with a significant increase in ACE2, Il-6, and NLR. Higher levels of vitamin D and its metabolites are potentially protective against severe infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hani M. J. Khojah
- Department of Clinical and Hospital Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawarah 30001, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sameh A. Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawarah 30001, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +966-54-3110057
| | - Sultan S. Al-Thagfan
- Department of Clinical and Hospital Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawarah 30001, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yaser M. Alahmadi
- Department of Clinical and Hospital Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawarah 30001, Saudi Arabia
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Albu-Mohammed WHM, Anvari E, Fateh A. Evaluating the Role of BglI rs739837 and TaqI rs731236 Polymorphisms in Vitamin D Receptor with SARS-CoV-2 Variants Mortality Rate. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13122346. [PMID: 36553614 PMCID: PMC9777972 DOI: 10.3390/genes13122346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A lack of vitamin D is a potential risk factor for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Variants in the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene, such as BglI rs739837 and TaqI rs731236, are associated with various viral infection progressions. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the BglI rs739837 and TaqI rs731236 polymorphisms and the mortality rate of COVID-19 based on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. The genotyping of BglI rs739837 and TaqI rs731236 genotypes was analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 1734 improved and 1450 deceased patients positive for SARS-CoV-2. In this study, the rate of COVID-19 mortality was correlated with TaqI rs731236 TC and CC in the α variant and with TaqI rs731236 CC in the Delta variant, whereas no relationship was found in the Omicron BA.5 variant. In addition, the rate of COVID-19 mortality was associated with BglI rs739837 GT and TT in the Omicron BA.5 variant, while there was no association between BglI rs739837 and COVID-19 mortality in the α and Delta variants. The TG haplotype was more common in all SARS-CoV-2 variants, while the CT haplotype was associated with COVID-19 mortality in the Delta and Omicron BA.5 variants. In conclusion, this study indicated that the impacts of BglI rs739837 and TaqI rs731236 polymorphisms were related to SARS-CoV-2 variants. However, further research is still needed to approve our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Enayat Anvari
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Science, Ilam 693917134, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Fateh
- Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran 1316943551, Iran
- Microbiology Research Center (MRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran 1316943551, Iran
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +98-216-411-2282; Fax: +98-216-411-2213
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Abu Fanne R, Lidawi G, Maraga E, Moed M, Roguin A, Meisel SR. Correlation between Baseline 25(OH) Vitamin D Levels and Both Humoral Immunity and Breakthrough Infection Post-COVID-19 Vaccination. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10122116. [PMID: 36560526 PMCID: PMC9784151 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10122116] [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: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Vaccines against COVID-19 induce specific antibodies whose titer is perceived as a reliable correlate of protection. Vitamin D confers complex regulatory effects on the innate and adaptive immunity. In this study, we explored a plausible impact of baseline vitamin D content on achieved immunity following COVID-19 vaccination. Methods: A retrospective observational study comprising 73,254 naïve subjects insured by the Leumit Health Service HMO, who were vaccinated between 1 February 2020 and 30 January 2022, with one available vitamin D level prior to vaccination, was performed. The association between 25(OH) vitamin D levels, SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer, and post-vaccination PCR results were evaluated. Results: Of the study population, 5026 (6.9%) tested positive for COVID-19. The proportion of low 25(OH)D levels (<30 ng/mL) was significantly higher in the PCR-positive group (81.5% vs. 79%, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed a higher incidence of breakthrough infection among non-smokers [1.37 (95% CI 1.22−1.54, p < 0.001)] and lower incidences among subjects with sufficient 25(OH)D levels (>30 ng/mL) [0.87 (95% CI 0.79−0.95, p—0.004)], hyperlipidemia [0.84 (95% CI 0.76−0.93, p < 0.001], depression [OR-0.87 (95% CI: 0.79−0.96, p < 0.005], socio-economic status >10 [0.67 (95% CI 0.61−0.73, p < 0.001)], and age >44 years. SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers were available in 3659 vaccinated individuals. The prevalence of antibody titers (<50 AU) among PCR-positive subjects was 42% compared to 28% among PCR-negative subjects (p < 0.001). Baseline 25(OH)D levels showed an inverse relation to total antibody titers. However, no association was found with an antibody titer <50 AU/mL fraction. Conclusion Baseline 25(OH)D levels correlated with the vaccination-associated protective COVID-19 immunity. Antibody titers <50 AU/mL were significantly linked to breakthrough infection but did not correlate with 25(OH)D levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rami Abu Fanne
- Leumit Health Services, Tel Aviv 6473817, Israel
- Heart Institute, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera 3810101, Israel
- Correspondence:
| | - Ghalib Lidawi
- Urology Department, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera 3810101, Israel
| | - Emad Maraga
- Clinical Biochemistry Department, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem 9103102, Israel
| | - Mahmud Moed
- Leumit Health Services, Tel Aviv 6473817, Israel
| | - Ariel Roguin
- Heart Institute, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera 3810101, Israel
| | - Simcha-Ron Meisel
- Heart Institute, Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera 3810101, Israel
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Sharif N, Opu RR, Khan A, Alzahrani KJ, Banjer HJ, Alzahrani FM, Haque N, Khan S, Soumik ST, Zhang M, Huang H, Song X, Parvez AK, Dey SK. Impact of Zinc, Vitamins C and D on Disease Prognosis among Patients with COVID-19 in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14235029. [PMID: 36501059 PMCID: PMC9737649 DOI: 10.3390/nu14235029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin C, (ascorbic acid), vitamin D (cholecalciferol) and zinc (zinc sulfate monohydrate) supplements are important in immunity against coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). However, a limited number of studies have been conducted on the association of vitamins and supplements with the reduced risks of COVID-19 infection. This study aims to evaluate the association of vitamins and supplements as treatment options to reduce the severity of COVID-19. Data were collected from 962 participants from 13 December 2020 to 4 February 2021. The presence of COVID-19 was confirmed by qRT-PCR. The Chi-square test and multivariate regression analyses were conducted. The ratio of uptake of vitamin C:vitamin D:zinc was 1:1:0.95. Uptake of vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc were significantly associated with the reduced risk of infection and severity of COVID-19 (OR: 0.006 (95% CI: 0.03-0.11) (p = 0.004)) and (OR: 0.03 (95% CI: 0.01-0.22) (p = 0.005)). The tendency of taking supplements was associated with the presence of infection of COVID-19 (p = 0.001), age (p = 0.02), sex (p = 0.05) and residence (p = 0.04). The duration of supplementation and medication was significantly associated with reduced hospitalization (p = 0.0001). Vitamins C, D and zinc were not significantly (p = 0.9) associated with a reduced risk of severity when taken through the diet. Hospitalization (p = 0.000001) and access to health facilities (p = 0.0097) were significantly associated with the survival period of the participants. Participants with better access to health facilities recovered early (OR: 6.21, 95% CI 1.56-24.7). This study will add knowledge in the field of treatment of COVID-19 by using vitamins and zinc supplements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadim Sharif
- Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh
| | - Rubayet Rayhan Opu
- Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh
| | - Afsana Khan
- Department of Statistics, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh
| | - Khalid J. Alzahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hamsa Jameel Banjer
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fuad M. Alzahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nusaira Haque
- Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh
| | - Shahriar Khan
- Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh
| | | | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Hanwen Huang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Xiao Song
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | | | - Shuvra Kanti Dey
- Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +880-1759588088
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