Background Vitamin C is an essential water-soluble nutrient that functions as a key antioxidant and has been proven to be effective for boosting immunity. In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy of adding high-dose intravenous vitamin C (HDIVC) to the regimens for patients with severe COVID-19 disease. Methods An open-label, randomized, and controlled trial was conducted on patients with severe COVID-19 infection. The case and control treatment groups each consisted of 30 patients. The control group received lopinavir/ritonavir and hydroxychloroquine and the case group received HDIVC (6 g daily) added to the same regimen. Results There were no statistically significant differences between two groups with respect to age and gender, laboratory results, and underlying diseases. The mean body temperature was significantly lower in the case group on the 3rd day of hospitalization (p = 0.001). Peripheral capillary oxygen saturations (SpO2) measured at the 3rd day of hospitalization was also higher in the case group receiving HDIVC (p = 0.014). The median length of hospitalization in the case group was significantly longer than the control group (8.5 days vs. 6.5 days) (p = 0.028). There was no significant difference in SpO2 levels at discharge time, the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and mortality between the two groups. Conclusions We did not find significantly better outcomes in the group who were treated with HDIVC in addition to the main treatment regimen at discharge. Trial registration irct.ir (IRCT20200411047025N1), April 14, 2020

Objective The goal of this randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of oral 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 [25(OH)D 3 ] in improving vitamin D status in vitamin D deficient/insufficient patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus. Methods This is a multicenter randomized double blinded randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants were recruited from three hospitals that are affiliated to [Institution Blinded for Review], and [Institution Blinded for Review]. Results A total 106 hospitalized patients who had a circulating concentration of 25(OH)D <30 ng/ml were enrolled in this study. Within 30 and 60 days 79.4% (26 out of 34) and 100% (24 out of 24) of the patients who received 25(OH)D 3 became sufficient whereas ≤12.5% the patients in the placebo group became sufficient during 2 months follow-up. We observed an overall lower trend for hospitalization, ICU duration, needing ventilator assistance and mortality in the 25(OH)D3 group compared with placebo group but they weren’t statistically significant. Treatment with oral 25(OH)D 3 was associated with a significant increase in the lymphocyte percentage and decrease in the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes (NLR) in the patients. The lower NLR was significant associated with reduced ICU admission days and mortality. Conclusion Our analysis indicated that oral 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 was able to correct vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency in COVID-19 patients that resulted in improved immune function by increasing blood lymphocyte percentage. RCTs with a larger sample size and with higher dose of 25(OH)D3 maybe needed to confirm the potential effect of 25(OH)D3 on reducing clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Ethics and Dissemination The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of [Institution Blinded for Review]. (Approval Number: IR.TUMS.VCR.REC.1399.061). Dissemination plans include academic publications, conference presentations and social media. Trial registration The protocol was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) on April 11, 2020 [Number Blinded for Review]. and U.S. National Institutes of Health [Number Blinded for Review] on May 11, 2020.

Highlights Ventricular arrhythmias can occur with concurrent use of azithromycin (AZM) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). Combination therapy with HCQ+AZM can reduce the hospital length of stay in COVID-19 patients. Preparatory risk assessment can limit the risk of arrhythmia in patients receiving HCQ+AZM combination therapy.

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creat ive Commo ns Attri bution-NonCo mmercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes. AbstractHelicobacter pylori is one of the most prevalent infection worldwide. It affects individuals of different age groups. Elderly people tend to resist eradication treatment and worsening of infection can lead to several gastric and non-gastric pathologies.Aging-associated cellular and molecular alteration can increase the risk of other pathologies such as osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, respiratory and renal dysfunction, and cancer in geriatric patients, more than other age groups.This review article highlights some of the most common old age diseases and the role of H. pylori infection as a risk factor to worsen the conditions, presented by the molecular evidences of these associations. These studies can help clinicians to understand the underlying pathogenesis of the disease and identify high-risk patients, aiding clearer diagnosis and treatment.

Background: Gram-negative bacterium, Helicobacter pylori is notorious for various pathologies like peptic ulcers, gastritis, functional dyspepsia, and various cancers. Methods: Systemic effects of its toxins have led scientists' attention toward the extragastric pathologies associated with it. To date, it has been shown to have an effect on almost all the systems in the human body. Results: Various studies have been conducted to obtain the relation between H. pylori infection, and other diseases. Conclusion: In this review, we aim to discuss the extragastric diseases associated with H. pylori and the biological factors that relate them to it. K E Y W O R D S biological factors, extragastric diseases, Helicobacter pylori J Cell Biochem. 2019;120:12128-12140. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/jcb 12128 |