In this study, we investigated the role and relationship between the cytokine profile and protective vitamin D by measuring their serum levels in COVID‐19 intensive care unit patients with severe illnesses. A total of 74 patients were included in our study. Patients were divided into two groups. Patients in the COVID‐19 group (n = 31) and individuals without a history of serious illness or infection were used as the control group (n = 43). The serum concentrations of interleukin‐1 (IL‐1), IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐21, and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. Levels of serum vitamin D were detected with Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry methodologies. TNF‐α, IL‐1, IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐21, and vitamin D levels were measured in all patients. The serum cytokine levels in the COVID‐19 patient group were significantly higher (151.59 ± 56.50, 140.37 ± 64.32, 249.02 ± 62.84, 129.04 ± 31.64, and 123.58 ± 24.49, respectively) than control groups. Serum vitamin D was also significantly low (6.82 ± 3.29) in patients in the COVID‐19 group than the controls (21.96 ± 5.39). Regarding the correlation of vitamin D with cytokine levels, it was significantly variable. Our study shows that COVID‐19 patients are associated with lower serum vitamin D and higher pro‐inflammatory cytokines associated with increased virus presence. Our data provide more evidence of the anti‐inflammatory effect of vitamin D on COVID‐19 patients and the protective effects of vitamin D on risk were demonstrated.

Objective: Amino acids have an important role in metabolism and may affect COVID-19-related outcomes. Our study, the amino acid serum level of hospitalized COVID-19 patients was evaluated for determining new treatment strategy. Methods: The amino acid profile covering 43 amino acids in 68 subjects, comprising 30 (14 men and 16 women) controls and 38 (16 men and 22 women) COVID-19 patients, were examined. In addition, the amino acid profiles of the participants were screened by LC-MS/MS. Results: Compared with the control group, serum levels of 27 amino acids increased in the patient group. Alpha diaminopimelic acid, sarcosine, and hydroxyproline amino acids were considerably higher in the control group than in the patient group (p<0.0001). There was no notable difference among control group and the case group for 13 amino acids (p≥0.05). A significant positive correlation was seen among the control group and the patient samples in the mean amino acid values (r=0.937; p<0.0001). Conclusion: These results postulated a clear picture on the serum levels of amino acid in the COVID-19 patients. Serum amino acids measured in hospitalized COVID-19 patients can explain the patient's metabolic status during the disease.

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The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection has recently spread worldwide was declared a pandemic on March 11. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 disease are fever, fatigue, and dry cough. Some patients may experience pain and aches, nasal congestion, cold, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Currently, the source of the virus is still unknown. However, all available evidence indicates that the origin of this virus is a natural animal and that it is not a manufactured virus. The virus spreads faster than its two ancestors the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus. The effects of COVID-19 disease on people are that the elderly and people with preexisting medical conditions (such as hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes) have more severe symptoms than others. Some potential vaccines and drugs specifically needed to treat this disease are being investigated and are being tested by clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D has anti-infl ammatory and immunomodulatory effects via the downregulation of pro-infl ammatory cytokines. We aimed to demonstrate the effect of vitamin D levels on survival in COVID-19 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 207 COVID-19 patients were included in the study. Serum vitamin D levels were measured, and patients with levels < 20 ng/ml or 21 to 30 ng received a single 300.000 IU dose of vitamin D. RESULTS: Of 207 patients, 37 received vitamin D, while 170 did not. Demographic, radiologic and mean laboratory values were similar between the groups. The mean plasma vitamin D level without vitamin D support (n=170) was 50.82 ± 16.12 ng/ml (30.28 -81.35) vs. 16.98 ± 6.2 ng/ml (4.20 -28.30) in vitamin D group. The most remarkable fi nding were the mortality rates; while only 1 patient (2.7 %) died in the vitamin D group, 24 patients (14.1 %) died in no vitamin D supplementation group (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Although a few retrospective studies put forth a relation between vitamin D defi ciency and COVID-19 course severity there is still paucity of data about the effi cacy of vitamin supplementations in COVID-19 patients. A single 300.000 IU dose of vitamin D seems to represent a useful, practical, and safe adjunctive approach for the treatment or prevention of