High Skin Melanin Content, Vitamin D Deficiency and Immunity: Potential Interference for Severity of Covid-19

Abstract

Due to the strong immunomodulatory effects, vitamin D (Vit-D) may be an option in COVID-19 disease. The skin pigment melanin has the photoprotective capacity, by inhibiting the synthesis of Vit-D in human. Dark skin contains a high level of melanin, which inhibits vit-D synthesis, leading to deficiency of this vitamin in certain people worldwide. It has been reported that the angiotensin II stimulates melanogenesis process. The SARS-CoV-2 uses the ACE2 receptor for the entrance into the human lung epithelial cells. Therefore, there is an interconnection between the ACE2, angiotensin II, melanogenesis and Vit-D levels in our body. An upregulation of angiotensin II is inversely co-related to the Vit-D synthesis in human. Taken together, SARS-CoV-2 may rule over the peoples having high skin melanin contents and its consequence of Vit-D deficiency. This review aims to highlight a correlation between skin melanin content, Vit-D status, immunity and the potential effects on SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in COVID-19 patients. As a novelty of this review, clinical trials on Vit-D aiming to fight against SARS-CoV-2 related pathological conditions or comorbidities in COVID-19 were included. The results of the analysed data showed that there is scientific evidence that a potential synergistic treatment with Vit-D could reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 deaths. Rezumat Datorită efectelor imunomodulatoare puternice, vitamina D (Vit-D) poate fi o opțiune în tratamentul COVID-19. Melanina pigmentară are capacitate fotoprotectoare, inhibând astfel sinteza de Vit-D la om. Pielea închisă la culoare conține un nivel ridicat de melanină, care inhibă sinteza Vit-D, ducând la deficitul acestei vitamine la anumite persoane din întreaga lume. S-a raportat că angiotensina II stimulează procesul de melanogeneză. SARS-CoV-2 folosește receptorul ACE2 pentru intrarea în celulele epiteliale pulmonare umane. Prin urmare, există o interconectare între nivelurile ACE2, angiotensină II, melanogeneză și Vit-D în organismul uman. Reglarea activității angiotensinei II este invers corelată cu sinteza de Vit-D la om. SARS-CoV-2 poate infecta persoanele cu nivel ridicat de melanină și deficit de Vit-D. Acest studiu teoretic își propune să evidențieze o corelație între conținutul de melanină al pielii, statusul Vit-D, imunitatea și efectele potențiale asupra prevalenței SARS-CoV-2. Ca o noutate a acestui studiu, au fost incluse date clinice referitoare la Vit-D care raportează efectele asupra infecției cu SARS-CoV-2. Rezultatele datelor analizate au arătat că există dovezi științifice pentru un potențial tratament sinergic cu Vit-D în vederea reducerii riscului de infecție cu SARS-CoV-2 și a deceselor cauzate de COVID-19.

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