scholarly journals An in Silico Scientific Basis for LL-37 as a Therapeutic and Vitamin D as Preventive for Covid-19.

Author(s):  
Kiran Bharat Lokhande ◽  
Tanushree Banerjee ◽  
K. Venkateswara Swamy ◽  
Manisha Deshpande

<p></p><p>A multi-pronged approach with help in all forms possible is essential to <i>completely</i> overcome the Covid-19 pandemic. There is a requirement to research as many new and different types of approaches as possible to cater to the entire world population, complementing the vaccines with promising results. The need is also because SARS-CoV-2 has several unknown or variable facets which get revealed from time to time. In this report, <i>in silico</i> scientific findings are presented, which are indicative of the potential for the use of the LL-37 human anti-microbial peptide as a therapeutic against SARS-CoV-2. This indication is based on the high structural similarity of LL-37 to the N-terminal helix, with which the virus interacts, of the receptor for SARS-CoV-2, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2. Moreover, there is positive prediction of binding of LL-37 to the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2. As Vitamin D is known to upregulate the expression of LL-37, the vitamin is a candidate preventive molecule. This report provides the possible basis for why there is an inverse correlation between Vitamin D levels in the body and the severity of or susceptibility to Covid-19. The path for development of LL-37 as a therapeutic could be of lesser duration, as LL-37 is native to the human body. With the scientific link put forth herein, Vitamin D could be used at an effective, medically prescribed, safe dose as a preventive. The information in this report would be valuable in bolstering the worldwide efforts to control the pandemic as early as possible.</p><br><p></p>

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiran Bharat Lokhande ◽  
Tanushree Banerjee ◽  
K. Venkateswara Swamy ◽  
Manisha Deshpande

<p></p><p>A multi-pronged approach with help in all forms possible is essential to <i>completely</i> overcome the Covid-19 pandemic. There is a requirement to research as many new and different types of approaches as possible to cater to the entire world population, complementing the vaccines with promising results. The need is also because SARS-CoV-2 has several unknown or variable facets which get revealed from time to time. In this report, <i>in silico</i> scientific findings are presented, which are indicative of the potential for the use of the LL-37 human anti-microbial peptide as a therapeutic against SARS-CoV-2. This indication is based on the high structural similarity of LL-37 to the N-terminal helix, with which the virus interacts, of the receptor for SARS-CoV-2, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2. Moreover, there is positive prediction of binding of LL-37 to the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2. As Vitamin D is known to upregulate the expression of LL-37, the vitamin is a candidate preventive molecule. This report provides the possible basis for why there is an inverse correlation between Vitamin D levels in the body and the severity of or susceptibility to Covid-19. The path for development of LL-37 as a therapeutic could be of lesser duration, as LL-37 is native to the human body. With the scientific link put forth herein, Vitamin D could be used at an effective, medically prescribed, safe dose as a preventive. The information in this report would be valuable in bolstering the worldwide efforts to control the pandemic as early as possible.</p><br><p></p>


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiran Bharat Lokhande ◽  
Tanushree Banerjee ◽  
K. Venkateswara Swamy ◽  
Manisha Deshpande

<p>Even as clinical trials are underway for vaccines and therapeutics for Covid-19, establishment of modalities with a strong and complete foundation is still awaited and until then, the uncertainty remains associated. Thus, there is a requirement to research as many new and different types of approaches as possible to tackle the pandemic. In this report, <i>in silico</i> scientific findings are presented, which are indicative of the putative potential for the use of the LL-37 human anti-microbial peptide as a therapeutic or possibly even as a prophylactic against SARS-CoV-2. This indication is mainly based on the high structural similarity of LL-37 to the N-terminal helix of the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2, and the positive prediction of binding of LL-37 to the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2. Also, as Vitamin D is known to upregulate the expression of LL-37, the vitamin is a candidate preventive molecule. This report also provides the possible basis for why there is an inverse correlation between Vitamin D levels in the body and the severity of or susceptibility to Covid-19, as described in a large body of published literature. The path for development of LL-37 as a therapeutic could be of lesser duration, as LL-37 is native to the human body. With the scientific link put forth in this work, Vitamin D could be used at an effective, medically prescribed dose as a preventive measure. As Vitamin D is insoluble in water, it should be taken only in consultation with a medical practitioner to prevent adverse effects of its accumulation in the body. The information in this report would be valuable in bolstering the worldwide efforts to control the pandemic as early as possible.</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 90 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 346-352
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Pilone ◽  
Salvatore Tramontano ◽  
Carmen Cutolo ◽  
Federica Marchese ◽  
Antonio Maria Pagano ◽  
...  

Abstract. We aim to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in patients scheduled for bariatric surgery (BS), and to identify factors that might be associated with VDD. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study involving all consecutive patients scheduled for BS from 2017 to 2019. The exclusion criteria were missing data for vitamin D levels, intake of vitamin D supplements in the 3 months prior to serum vitamin D determination, and renal insufficiency. A total of 206 patients (mean age and body mass index [BMI] of 34.9 ± 10.7 years, and 44.3 ± 6.99 kg/m2, respectively) met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled for data analysis. VDD (<19.9 ng/mL), severe VDD (<10 ng/mL), and vitamin D insufficiency (20–29.9 ng/mL) were present in 68.8 %, 12.5 %, and 31.2 % of patients, respectively. A significant inverse correlation was found between vitamin D levels and initial BMI, parathyroid hormone, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (r = −0.280, p < 0.05; r = −0.407, p = 0.038; r = −0.445, p = 0.005), respectively. VDD was significantly more prevalent in patients with higher BMI [−0.413 ± 0.12, CI95 % (−0.659; −0.167), p = 0.006], whereas no significant association between hypertension [−1.005 ± 1.65, CI95 % (−4.338; 2.326), p = 0.001], and diabetes type 2 (T2D) [−0.44 ± 2.20, CI95 % (−4.876; 3.986), p = 0.841] was found. We observed significant association between female sex and levels of vitamin D [6.69 ± 2.31, CI95 % (2.06; 11.33), p = 0.006]. The present study shows that in patients scheduled for BS, VDD deficiency is common and was associated with higher BMI, and female sex.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1704.1-1705
Author(s):  
L. Montolio-Chiva ◽  
A. V. Orenes Vera ◽  
M. Aguilar-Zamora ◽  
C. Vergara-Dangond ◽  
I. Vázquez-Gómez ◽  
...  

Background:Several studies have shown an inverse relationship between vitamin D levels (25OHD) and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the existing data in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are poor, and they use the DAS28 index as a peripheral joint activity marker by extrapolation with RA.Objectives:To analyze the relationship between 25OHD levels, disease activity and functional capacity in patients with PsA.Methods:Transversal, observational, descriptive study. We included PsA patients with peripheral joint involvement. We collected demographic variables (gender, age), clinical variables [follow-up, received treatments, TJC (68), SJC (68), VAS] and analytical variables (25OHD, CRP, ESR). We usedDisease activity in psoriatic arthritis(DAPSA) score to measure disease activity, and theHealth assessment questionnaire(HAQ) to determine functional capacity. Levels of 25 OHD <20 ng/ml and between 20-30 ng/ml were considered deficient and insufficient, respectively. Statistical analysis was made with SPSS 22.0. The descriptive analysis results were expressed as percentage and mean ± SD. We used Pearson’s correlation to assess the association between quantitative variables and T test to compare means between dichotomous variables.Results:125 patients were included, the majority women (60.8%), with an average age of 55.4 (SD 12.2) years. The average follow-up was 75.5 (SD 68.3) months. 97.6% of patients had received DMARDs and 40.8% biologics, and almost half of the patients (42.7%) took calcium and 25OHD supplements. The average value of 25OHD was 27.1 (SD 12.1) ng/ml, with 30% of patients having 25OHD deficit and 63.3% insufficiency. The majority of patients had an acceptable disease control, with a mean DAPSA of 10.5 (SD 7,9); and mean of CRP, ESR, TJC and SJC was 6.1 (SD 3.7) mg/l, 10.2 (SD 9.9) mm/h, 1.3 (SD 2.5) and 0.7 (SD 2.1), respectively. The average value of HAQ was 0.6 (SD 0.7). We observed an inverse correlation between 25OHD levels and joint counts, TJC (p=0.02) and SJC (p=0.03). On the other hand, patients with hypovitaminosis D presented a tendency to get higher scores in DAPSA index (P=0.07). We do not observe any relationship between 25OHD and HAQ.Conclusion:As can be seen in our sample, low values of 25OHD are related to increased disease activity in patients with PsA.Disclosure of Interests:L Montolio-Chiva: None declared, Ana V Orenes Vera: None declared, Marta Aguilar-Zamora: None declared, C Vergara-Dangond: None declared, I Vázquez-Gómez: None declared, Eduardo Flores: None declared, A Sendra-García: None declared, À Martínez-Ferrer: None declared, Elia Valls-Pascual Grant/research support from: Roche, Novartis, and AbbVie, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Lilly, Pfizer, MSD, Novartis, Janssen, Bristol Myers Squibb, UCB Pharma, D Ybáñez-García Speakers bureau: Lilly, Roche, Sanofi, V Núñez-Monje: None declared, I Torner-Hernández: None declared, Juanjo J Alegre-Sancho Consultant of: UCB, Roche, Sanofi, Boehringer, Celltrion, Paid instructor for: GSK, Speakers bureau: MSD, GSK, Lilly, Sanofi, Roche, UCB, Actelion, Pfizer, Abbvie, Novartis


Author(s):  
Maryam Mosavat ◽  
Aisling Smyth ◽  
Diana Arabiat ◽  
Lisa Whitehead

AbstractVitamin D contributes to numerous physiological processes within the body but primarily calcium and bone homeostasis. Emerging evidence highlights a novel role for vitamin D in maintaining and regulating optimal sleep. Sleep is a known regulator of bone health, highlighting the interconnectedness between vitamin D concentrations, sleep duration and bone metabolism. It is possible that the relationship between sleep length and vitamin D is bidirectional, with vitamin D playing a role in sleep health and conversely, sleep affecting vitamin D levels. Nevertheless, limited information on the direction of the interaction is available, and much remains to be learned concerning the complex relationship between insufficient sleep duration and vitamin D deficiency. Given the potential to implement interventions to improve sleep and vitamin D supplementation, understanding this relationship further could represent a novel way to support and improve health.


Author(s):  
Poonam Rani ◽  
Seema Gupta ◽  
Gaurav Gupta

Background: Deficiency of vitamin D is quite prevalent among elderly population or postmenopausal women worldwide and may affect various function of the body. The status of its deficiency with their relation with other variables are not well explored in perimenopausal women.Methods: 100 perimenopausal women from the department of obstetrics and gynaecology were selected without having known risk of thyroid disorder and cardiovascular disease. The age group criteria for these women were 40 to 50 years. Thyroid profile including TSH, T3, and T4 were estimated by using enzyme linked immunesorbent assay. Serum levels of 25(OH) D3 was estimated by using spectrophotometric method. Lipid profile including TC, TG and HDL-C were estimated CHOD-POD method, GPO-PAP method, and CHOD-POD/Phosphotungustate method. LDL-C was calculated by friedewald formula.Results: There 58 women were presented with insufficient amount of vitamin D. They were characterised with increased BMI, elevated thyrotropin alongwith lower concentrations of T3 and T4. Increased levels of TC, TG and LDL-cholesterol alongwith lower concentration of HDL-C were also observed in women with vitamin d deficiency. Women having vitamin D deficiency were presented with overweight (OR-18.0, p-value=<0.001) and dyslipidemia (OR-12.13, p-value≤0.001). Vitamin D was negatively correlated with variable i.e. BMI, TSH, TC, TG and LDL-C. This negative association was significant (<0.001) while HDL-C and T4 were positively correlated with vitamin D levels in this study population.Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency frequently occurs in middle aged perimenopausal women. Negative correlation of it with BMI, TSH and lipid variables may suggest the development of cardiovascular disease and hypothyroidism in coming years. Vitamin D supplements or vitamin D containing diet and regular exposure to sun is highly recommended to perimenopausal women.


Author(s):  
Mubeen Ahmed Memon ◽  
Sheeba Faryal Ansari ◽  
Mumtaz Ali Lakho ◽  
Mukhtiar Hussain Jaffery ◽  
Syed Zulfiquar Ali Shah ◽  
...  

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency is common among asthmatics with literature suggesting that its low levels in the body may trigger exacerbations and decrease the response to corticosteroid treatment. It has also shown to inhibit the production of cytokines, which in turn enhances the body’s response to corticosteroid treatment during an exacerbation. Therefore, maintenance of adequate levels of vitamin D in patients with asthma may reduce the risk of exacerbation and improve their general health. This study aims to explore the role of vitamin D supplementation in preventing asthma exacerbations. Methods: This single blind parallel arm interventional study was conducted in the pulmonology ward in a tertiary care hospital from June 2018 to April 2020. Two hundred (n= 200) participants with a history of frequent acute exacerbation of asthma were enrolled in the study via consecutive convenient non-probability technique. Participants were divided into two groups; the placebo and the interventional group that received 200,000 IU of vitamin D capsule. Results: Compared to day 0, mean episodes of exacerbation in the interventional group were significantly lower after 180 days (1.1 ± 0.4 vs. 0.61 ± 0.3; p-value <0.0001). Similarly, number of asthma attacks in past 7 days was significantly lower in intervention group after 180 days (4.4 ± 2.7 vs. 3.1 ± 1.5; p-value 0.0001) Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation is a safe and cost-friendly approach to reducing asthma exacerbations. It may also help to improve the condition in severe asthmatics with low vitamin D levels.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 488-492
Author(s):  
Imad R. Musa ◽  
Duria A. Rayis ◽  
Mohmamed A. Ahmed ◽  
Ammar H. Khamis ◽  
Abubakr M. Nasr ◽  
...  

AIM: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Saad Abualila Hospital (Khartoum, Sudan) to evaluate the vitamin D levels and thyroid function among pregnant Sudanese women (132) in early pregnancy.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Saad Abualila hospital (Khartoum, Sudan) during the period from March to July 2015. Women who were in early pregnancy with a singleton pregnancy were approached to participate in the study after signing informed consent. A sample size of 132 participants was calculated guided by the normal interval of thyroid function in Sudanese women in the first trimester and not the level of 25(OH) vitamin D. The 25 - hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) vitamins levels were measured using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay on an Elecsys 2010 Analyzer (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany).RESULTS: The mean (SD) of age, gravidity and gestational age was 27.6 (5.5) years, 2.2 (1.6) and 10.4 (2.2) weeks, respectively. The mean (SD) of the body mass index (BMI) and haemoglobin was 27.1 (5.2) kg/m2 and 10.8 (1.1) g/dl, respectively. Median (interquartile) values of TSH, FT3, and FT4 were 1.164 IU/ml (0.079 -2.177 IU/ml), 4.639 nmol/l (3.843 - 6.562 nmol/l), and 16.86 pmol/l (13.02 - 31.48 pmol/l), respectively. There was no significant correlation between vitamin D levels and TSH, FT3 and FT4CONCLUSION: There is no correlation between 25 (OH) vitamin D levels and thyroid function during early pregnancy among Sudanese pregnant women, despite prevalent vitamin D deficiency among these women.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e20000-e20000
Author(s):  
Nurdan Tacyildiz ◽  
Gulsah oktay Tanyildiz ◽  
Deniz Tekin ◽  
Can Ates ◽  
Handan Dincaslan ◽  
...  

e20000 Background: There is increasing interest in the possible association between cancer incidence and vitamin D through its role as a regulator of cell growth and differentiation. Although there are several studies related cancer risk and prognosis of cancer, related vit D levels in adult patients there are only few recent studies in pediatric patients. Methods: Between 2010 and 2011, D Vit levels of 45 patients (25 boys, 20 girls; age range: 6 months-17 years, median: 11 years) have been compared to D Vit levels of 22 healthy children with similar age group. Patient groups were leukemias, lymphomas, bone tumors, retinoblastoma (RB), and other tumors. Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman nonparametric correlations test of SPSS has been used for statistics. Results: Although there was no statistically significant difference for vit D levels between control group (range: 7.2-22.8; median: 14.75 ng/ml) and patients (range: 5.5-40.2; median: 16.0 ng/ml),difference between patients groups were significant (Table). Patients with RB have statistically lower level of Vit D than leukemia (p:0.016) and lymphoma groups ( p: 0.047). “Other tumors group” has lower vit D levels than leukemia group (p: 0.024). Since RB and other tumors group have younger age than other patients, Spearsman’s nonparametric correlation has been performed to exclude age effect on the results and no statistically significant correlation between D vit levels and age (p: 0.779) was found, although there was an inverse correlation between age and vit D levels in patient group (p: 0.03). Conclusions: According to our preliminary results, most of the patients and healthy children have low level of Vit D. Especially patients with RB have statistically significant lower level of Vit D than other malignancies which can be subject to future studies for confirmation of our results. In addition, etiologic studies related RB may have a new area. [Table: see text]


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaoxun Wang

Vitamin D deficiency is a highly prevalent condition. Low vitamin D levels have long been associated with bone diseases, such as rickets in children and osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults. However, it has become apparent in recent years that adequate vitamin D levels are also important for optimal functioning of many organs and tissues throughout the body, including the cardiovascular system. Evolving data indicate that vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Studies have shown that low vitamin D levels are associated with hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, left ventricular hypertrophy, and chronic vascular inflammation, all of which are risk factors for CVD. This paper reviews the definition and pathophysiology of vitamin D deficiency, clinical evidence linking vitamin D and CVD risk, diabetes and its complications, and metabolic syndrome.


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