Association of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, and E) status with humoral immune response to COVID-19 inactivated vaccination

Abstract

BackgroundFat-soluble vitamins (A, D, and E) are essential for the proper functioning of the immune system and are of central importance for infection risk in humans. Vitamins A, D, and E have been reported to be associated with the immune response following vaccination; however, their effects on the immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination remain unknown.MethodsWe measured the neutralizing antibody titers against wild type and omicron within 98 days after the third homologous boosting shot of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (BBIBP-CorV or CoronaVac) in 141 healthy adults in a prospective, open-label study. High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy was used to determine the concentrations of plasma vitamins A, D, and E.ResultsWe found that the anti-wide-type virus and anti-omicron variant antibody levels significantly increased compared with baseline antibody levels (P < 0.001) after the third vaccination. 25(OH)D3 was significantly negatively associated with the baseline anti-wide-type virus antibody concentrations [beta (95% CI) = −0.331 (−0.659 ~ −0.003)] after adjusting for covariates. A potentially similar association was also observed on day 98 after the third vaccination [beta (95% CI) = −0.317 (−0.641 ~ 0.007)]. After adjusting for covariates, we also found that 25(OH)D3 was significantly negatively associated with the seropositivity of the anti-omicron variant antibody at day 98 after the third vaccination [OR (95% CI) = 0.940 (0.883 ~ 0.996)]. The association between plasma 25(OH)D3 with anti-wild-type virus antibody levels and seropositivity of anti-omicron variant antibodies were persistent in subgroup analyses. We observed no association between retinol/α-tocopherol and anti-wide-type virus antibody levels or anti-omicron variant antibody seropositive in our study.ConclusionThe third inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination significantly improved the ability of anti-SARS-CoV-2 infection in the human body. Higher vitamin D concentrations could significantly decrease the anti-wide-type virus-neutralizing antibody titers and anti-omicron variant antibody seropositive rate after the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in people with adequate levels of vitamin D, better immune status, and stronger immune response; further studies comprising large cohorts of patients with different nutritional status are warranted to verify our results.

Interactive effect of booster vaccination and vitamin D status on antibody production of Omicron variant‐infected adults: A real‐world cohort study

“…Despite some recent and important achievements, 22 , 23 , 24 there are still controversies about the effect of vitamin D status on antibody response after vaccination or infection. 13 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 A study recruiting 97 healthcare workers found that individuals without VDD had an average of 29.3% higher peak antibody response induced by the first dose of the SARS‐CoV‐2 BNT162b2 vaccine.…”

“…Despite some recent and important achievements, 22 , 23 , 24 there are still controversies about the effect of vitamin D status on antibody response after vaccination or infection. 13 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 A study recruiting 97 healthcare workers found that individuals without VDD had an average of 29.3% higher peak antibody response induced by the first dose of the SARS‐CoV‐2 BNT162b2 vaccine. 23 Zelini et al observed a significant correlation between baseline serum 25(OH)D concentration and anti‐S neutralizing antibody response at 6 months after the second vaccination and concluded that adequate vitamin D levels could improve immune responses to mRNA vaccines.…”

Unveiling the micronutrient‐immunity puzzle in inactivated COVID‐19 vaccination: A comprehensive analysis of circulating micronutrient levels and humoral responses in healthy adults

“…Despite enormous scientific interest in exploring various aspects related to COVID‐19 vaccination, the potential association between micronutrients and humoral responses following COVID‐19 vaccination remains understudied. Only a limited number of studies with sample sizes ranging from 97 to 73 254 participants have investigated the associations between circulating concentrations of micronutrients, particularly those involved in immune regulation, and humoral immune responses as well as protection following inoculation with COVID‐19 vaccines 14‐25 . Three studies have reported no association between serum iron or selenium status, as well as concentrations of total zinc, and antibody concentrations or titers in response to COVID‐19 vaccinations 14‐16 .…”

“…Three studies have reported no association between serum iron or selenium status, as well as concentrations of total zinc, and antibody concentrations or titers in response to COVID‐19 vaccinations 14‐16 . Nine studies have reported the associations between serum vitamin D concentrations or status (sufficient, deficient, or insufficient) and humoral responses following COVID‐19 vaccinations, yet inconsistent conclusions have been reached 17‐25 . Investigations into the influence of micronutrients on antibody binding affinity and neutralizing capacity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), crucial parameters for immune protection, are virtually non‐existent.…”

“…Investigations into the influence of micronutrients on antibody binding affinity and neutralizing capacity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), crucial parameters for immune protection, are virtually non‐existent. Evidence on the associations between serum concentrations of copper, vitamin A or E with humoral responses following COVID‐19 vaccinations is scarce 21,25 . This knowledge gap hampers efforts to optimize vaccine efficacy through dietary adjustments.…”