scholarly journals Vitamin D and COVID-19

Author(s):  
Rashmi Aggarwal ◽  
Hemant Aggarwal ◽  
Rhea Aggarwal

The ongoing COVID -19 pandemic is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus -2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since its emergence in Wuhan in Hubei province of China in December 2019, the virus has spread to every continent except Antartica. Currently, there is no registered treatment or vaccine for the disease. In the current scenario of the deadly virus spreading across continents and the absence of a specific treatment of novel corona virus, there is an urgent need to search for alternative strategies to prevent and control the rapid replication of virus. Vitamin D supplementation may reduce the incidence, severity and risk of death from pneumonia (consequent to the cytokine storm) in the current COVID pandemic. Through its effect on innate and adaptive immunity, vitamin D can reduce the risk of viral respiratory tract infections. 1, 25(OH) vitamin D directly stimulates the production of anti-microbial peptides like defensin and Cathelicidin that can reduce the rate of viral replication. In addition, it can also reduce the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines that are responsible for causing cytokine storm and resultant fatal pneumonia. In order to reduce the risk of infection especially in developing country like India, it is recommended that people at risk of COVDI19 may be considered for vitamin D supplementation.

2018 ◽  
Vol 97 (08) ◽  
pp. 524-525
Author(s):  
Klaus Weckbecker

Martineau AR. et al. Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory tract infections: systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data. BMJ 2017; 356: i6583 Vitamin D spielt Studien zufolge auch eine Rolle bei der Abwehr pathogener Keime: 25-Hydroxy-Vitamin D (25[OH] Vitamin D) unterstützt z. B. die Synthese antimikrobieller Peptide. Es gibt also eine mögliche Erklärung für die Beobachtung, dass Personen mit niedrigen Vitamin-D-Spiegeln besonders empfindlich gegenüber respiratorischen Infekten sind. Untersuchungen zu einer präventiven Wirkung des Vitamin D verliefen jedoch zum Teil widersprüchlich.


Author(s):  
Alok Verma ◽  
Archana Shrivastava ◽  
Divyansh Verma

Background: The Corona virus disease, COVID-19 is characterised by varied clinical course. Most patients experience only mild symptoms and get cured while others develop severe disease with increasing hypoxia ending in acute respiratory failure In current scenario, disease progression mainly relies on clinical manifestations and some investigations. It has been suggested that one of the possible mechanism underlying rapid progression is a Cytokine storm . Objective: The study was aimed to early detection of IL-6 that could help in identifying Cytokine storm and direct patients to specific treatment so as to reduce severity of disease. Material and Methods: This is the study done on patients presented with symptoms of corona virus disease. These patients were examined clinically and investigated according. Result: 321 patients were found positive for Corona virus out of which 206 males & 115 females. Fever (84%) and cough (71.4%)are the most common symptoms. 167 patients had increased IL-6 who presented with severe symptoms These patients were followed up strictly and proper treatment given Out of which maximum patients responded well within 15 days and 27 patients required hospitalisation and were managed Conclusion: Early detection of IL-6 along with clinical assessment of the patient condition could help clinician identifying and treating those most at risk of deterioration Therefore early identification of Cytokine storm and managing hyper inflammation could be a key route to reduce severity and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Keywords: COVID-19, IL-6 , Cytokine storm .


Author(s):  
William B. Grant ◽  
Henry Lahore ◽  
Sharon L. McDonnell ◽  
Carole A. Baggerly ◽  
Christine B. French ◽  
...  

Low vitamin D status in winter permits viral epidemics. During winter, people who do not take vitamin D supplements are likely to have low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations. Vitamin D can reduce the risk of viral epidemics and pandemics in several ways. First, higher 25(OH)D concentrations reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory tract infections (RTIs), diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. Patients with chronic diseases have significantly higher risk of death from RTIs than otherwise healthy people. Second, vitamin D reduces risk of RTIs through three mechanisms: maintaining tight junctions, killing enveloped viruses through induction of cathelicidin and defensins, and reducing production of proinflammatory cytokines by the innate immune system, thereby reducing the risk of a cytokine storm leading to pneumonia. Observational and supplementation trials have reported higher 25(OH)D concentrations associated with reduced risk of dengue, hepatitis, herpesvirus, hepatitis B and C viruses, human immunodeficiency virus, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus infections, and pneumonia. Results of a community field trial reported herein indicated that 25(OH)D concentrations above 50 ng/ml (125 nmol/l) vs. <20 ng/ml were associated with a 27% reduction in influenza-like illnesses. From the available evidence, we hypothesize that raising serum 25(OH)D concentrations through vitamin D supplementation could reduce the incidence, severity, and risk of death from influenza, pneumonia, and the current COVID-19 epidemic.


2021 ◽  
pp. bmjmilitary-2020-001686
Author(s):  
Iain T Parsons ◽  
R M Gifford ◽  
M J Stacey ◽  
L E Lamb ◽  
M K O'Shea ◽  
...  

For most individuals residing in Northwestern Europe, maintaining replete vitamin D status throughout the year is unlikely without vitamin D supplementation and deficiency remains common. Military studies have investigated the association with vitamin D status, and subsequent supplementation, with the risk of stress fractures particularly during recruit training. The expression of nuclear vitamin D receptors and vitamin D metabolic enzymes in immune cells additionally provides a rationale for the potential role of vitamin D in maintaining immune homeostasis. One particular area of interest has been in the prevention of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs). The aims of this review were to consider the evidence of vitamin D supplementation in military populations in the prevention of ARTIs, including SARS-CoV-2 infection and consequent COVID-19 illness. The occupational/organisational importance of reducing transmission of SARS-CoV-2, especially where infected young adults may be asymptomatic, presymptomatic or paucisymptomatic, is also discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 759-759
Author(s):  
Lawrence Appel ◽  
Jennifer Schrack ◽  
Erin Michos ◽  
Christine Mitchell ◽  
Stephen Juraschek ◽  
...  

Abstract STURDY was a Bayesian, response-adaptive trial with dose-finding and confirmatory stages. Participants (n=688; ≥70years with serum 25(OH)D of 10-29ng/mL) were randomized to 200 (control), 1000, 2000, or 4000 IU/day of vitamin D3. The primary outcome was time to first fall or death over 2 years. During dose-finding, the best non-control dose was determined to be 1000IU/day based on higher primary outcome event rates in the 2000 and 4000IU/day doses than the 1000IU/day dose (posterior probability of being best dose=0.90; hazard ratios[HR] were 1.86 [95%CI: 1.16-2.97] and 1.68 [95%CI: 1.05-2.69], respectively). Participants were then switched from other non-control doses to 1000IU/day, and event rates did not differ between the pooled higher doses and control groups (HR=1.02, P=0.84). There was no heterogeneity by baseline 25(OHD). In conclusion, high-dose vitamin D supplementation ≥1000IU/day did not prevent falls. Whether vitamin D doses >2000IU/day increase the risk of falls is uncertain.


2021 ◽  
pp. 026010602110606
Author(s):  
Tamy Colonetti ◽  
Antônio Jose Grande ◽  
Franciani Rodrigues da Rocha ◽  
Eduardo Ronconi Dondossola ◽  
Lisiane Tuon ◽  
...  

Background: The increase in life expectancy and in the number of individuals over 60 years old brings new demands to health professionals and services based on the physiological changes that occur in this population. The aging process results in changes in body composition, increasing body fat and reducing muscle mass, in addition to a reduction in bone mass. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of whey protein and vitamin D supplementation on body composition and skeletal muscle in older adults living in long-term care facilities. Methods: This study is a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Thirty older adults (>60 years old) were randomized and allocated in three groups: group receiving resistance training and supplementation receiving resistance training, whey protein and vitamin D; group received resistance and placebo training receiving resistance training and placebo, and control group without any intervention. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. Results: The mean age was 74.87 (± 8.14) years. A significant difference ( p = 0.042) was observed between the group receiving resistance training and supplementation and control groups in relation to lean mass increase (kg) at 24 weeks. After 24 weeks of intervention, there was a significant increase in Relative index of muscle mass for the two groups that underwent resistance training, group received resistance and placebo training ( p = 0.042) and group receiving resistance training and supplementation ( p = 0.045), in relation to the control. Conclusion: Combined supplementation of whey protein and vitamin D with resistance training can significantly improve lean mass, total mass, and relative index of muscle mass in institutionalized older adults.


2022 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar M. E. Ali

Abstract Fibromyalgia is a debilitating chronic condition which poses a therapeutic challenge to the clinician. With a large backlog in patient flow subsequent to the COVID-19 pandemic and rising numbers of patients with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) presenting with fibromyalgia-like clinical features, there is an increasingly pressing need to identify broad cost-effective interventions. Low levels of vitamin D have previously been reported in patients with fibromyalgia, though any causative link has been difficult to establish. A systematic literature review on the association between vitamin D deficiency and fibromyalgia was performed examining retrospective evidence both for and against an association between vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and fibromyalgia and evaluating the therapeutic benefit from supplementation. A group of six studies were selected based on relevance, use of controls, quality of research and citations. Four primary studies assessing the prevalence of VDD in fibromyalgia patients versus controls were evaluated with a total 3,496 subjects. Three included females only and one larger study assessed males. Two (n = 313) concluded the presence of a statistically significant association, and two (n = 161) found none. Two randomised controlled trials assessing the effect of vitamin D supplementation in a total of 80 subjects found conflicting results, with pain reduction in one and none in the other. It is likely there exists an association between VDD deficiency and fibromyalgia in a large subset of patients, although establishing primary causation is difficult. There is a need for larger randomised controlled trial designs with more effective comparison with healthy subjects and control for confounding factors. Given VDD is a major problem in the general population, we recommend supplementation be recommended by healthcare professionals to fibromyalgia patients for the purpose of maintaining bone health given their potentially increased susceptibility to developing deficiency and its sequelae.


2020 ◽  
pp. postgradmedj-2020-139065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashu Rastogi ◽  
Anil Bhansali ◽  
Niranjan Khare ◽  
Vikas Suri ◽  
Narayana Yaddanapudi ◽  
...  

BackgroundVitamin D has an immunomodulatory role but the effect of therapeutic vitamin D supplementation in SARS-CoV-2 infection is not known.AimEffect of high dose, oral cholecalciferol supplementation on SARS-CoV-2 viral clearance.DesignRandomised, placebo-controlled.ParticipantsAsymptomatic or mildly symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive vitamin D deficient (25(OH)D<20 ng/ml) individuals.InterventionParticipants were randomised to receive daily 60 000 IU of cholecalciferol (oral nano-liquid droplets) for 7 days with therapeutic target 25(OH)D>50 ng/ml (intervention group) or placebo (control group). Patients requiring invasive ventilation or with significant comorbidities were excluded. 25(OH)D levels were assessed at day 7, and cholecalciferol supplementation was continued for those with 25(OH)D <50 ng/ml in the intervention arm. SARS-CoV-2 RNA and inflammatory markers fibrinogen, D-dimer, procalcitonin and (CRP), ferritin were measured periodically.Outcome measureProportion of patients with SARS-CoV-2 RNA negative before day-21 and change in inflammatory markers.ResultsForty SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive individuals were randomised to intervention (n=16) or control (n=24) group. Baseline serum 25(OH)D was 8.6 (7.1 to 13.1) and 9.54 (8.1 to 12.5) ng/ml (p=0.730), in the intervention and control group, respectively. 10 out of 16 patients could achieve 25(OH)D>50 ng/ml by day-7 and another two by day-14 [day-14 25(OH)D levels 51.7 (48.9 to 59.5) ng/ml and 15.2 (12.7 to 19.5) ng/ml (p<0.001) in intervention and control group, respectively]. 10 (62.5%) participants in the intervention group and 5 (20.8%) participants in the control arm (p<0.018) became SARS-CoV-2 RNA negative. Fibrinogen levels significantly decreased with cholecalciferol supplementation (intergroup difference 0.70 ng/ml; P=0.007) unlike other inflammatory biomarkers.ConclusionGreater proportion of vitamin D-deficient individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection turned SARS-CoV-2 RNA negative with a significant decrease in fibrinogen on high-dose cholecalciferol supplementation.Trial register numberNCT04459247.


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