Vitamin D and COVID‐19: It is time to act

Bleizgys, Andrius

doi:10.1111/ijcp.13748

Cited by 26 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 78 publications

(278 reference statements)

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“…However, a randomized controlled double-masked pilot study conducted in Spain has shown that the bolus dose is also effective in treating COVID-19 [ 28 ]. Though large-scale controlled study results have not yet been published, it appears better to recommend a high dose of vitamin D to the COVID-19 patients and people under quarantine as adjuvant therapy in support of other recommendations [ 127 ]. In such cases, calcifediol’s direct supplementation is highly recommended as it can quickly raise the serum vitamin D level [ 28 ].…”

Section: Acquiring Sufficient Levels Of Vitamin Dmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can Optimum Solar Radiation Exposure or Supplemented Vitamin D Intake Reduce the Severity of COVID-19 Symptoms?

Abraham

Dowling

Florentine

2021

IJERPH

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The foremost mortality-causing symptom associated with COVID-19 is acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A significant correlation has been identified between the deficiency in vitamin D and the risk of developing ARDS. It has been suggested that if we can reduce or modify ARDS in COVID-19 patients, we may significantly reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms and associated mortality rates. The increased mortality of dark-skinned people, who have a reduced UV absorption capacity, may be consistent with diminished vitamin D status. The factors associated with COVID-19 mortality, such as old age, ethnicity, obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, are all found to be linked with vitamin D deficiency. Based on this review and as a precautionary measure, it is suggested that the adoption of appropriate and safe solar exposure and vitamin D enriched foods and supplements should be considered to reduce the possible severity of COVID-19 symptoms. Safe sun exposure is deemed beneficial globally, specifically in low and middle-income countries, as there is no cost involved. It is also noted that improved solar exposure and vitamin D levels can reduce the impact of other diseases as well, thus assisting in maintaining general human well-being.

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Section: Acquiring Sufficient Levels Of Vitamin Dmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can Optimum Solar Radiation Exposure or Supplemented Vitamin D Intake Reduce the Severity of COVID-19 Symptoms?

Abraham

Dowling

Florentine

2021

IJERPH

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“…Future studies focusing on embryonic and tissue-specific ace2 knockout and overexpression models can help understand the role of adaptive and innate immune system challenges in zebrafish liver expression variability. Moreover, a prognostic importance for Vitamin D has been shown in COVID-19 such that vitamin D exposure potentially increases ACE2 levels as well as reducing the risk for cytokine storm (Benskin, 2020;Bleizgys, 2020;Musavi et al, 2020). Herein we have identified a significant decrease in ace2 levels in response to Vitamin D treatment during early larval and organ .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

ace2expression is higher in intestines and liver while being tightly regulated in development and disease in zebrafish

Keşküş

Tombaz

Arici

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Human Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) that acts as a receptor for SARS-CoV-2 entry is highly expressed in human type II pneumocytes and enterocytes and similarly in other mammals and zebrafish (Danio rerio). The zebrafish genome has a highly conserved, one-to-one ortholog of ACE2, i.e., ace2, whose expression profile however has not yet been studied during development or in pathologies relevant to COVID-19. Herein, we identified significant development-, tissue- and gender-specific modulations in ace2 expression based on meta-analysis of zebrafish Affymetrix transcriptomics datasets (ndatasets=107, GPL1319 in GEO database). Co-expression network analysis of ace2 revealed distinct positively correlated (carboxypeptidase activity and fibrin clot formation), and negatively correlated (cilia biogenesis/transport and chromatin modifications) STRING network modules. Using additional transcriptomics datasets, we showed zebrafish embryos before 3 days post fertilization (dpf) exhibited low levels of ace2 that increased significantly until 4 dpf implicating a role for ace2 in organogenesis. Re-analysis of RNA-seq datasets from zebrafish adult tissues demonstrated ace2 was expressed highly in intestines, variably in liver, and at lower levels in other organs. In addition, zebrafish females and males showed significant dimorphism in their age-dependent expression of ace2, and between ovary and testis where the latter had higher levels. Moreover, we demonstrated ace2 expression was significantly modulated under different physiological and pathological conditions associated with development, diet, infection, and inflammation. Our findings implicate a novel translational role for zebrafish ace2 in differentiation and pathologies predominantly found in intestines and liver, in which the effects of SARS-CoV-2 could be detrimental.

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“…11,12 To ensure prime treatment or even prevent COVID-19, several studies recommend maintaining 40-60nmol/L of vitamin D which can be achieved by giving dose of 1,000 IU/day. 13,14 For individuals deficient of vitamin D, up to 4,000 IU/day can be prescribed followed by 25(OH)D measurements following 1.5 months of intervention. 14…”

Section: Vitamin D Measurementmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…13,14 For individuals deficient of vitamin D, up to 4,000 IU/day can be prescribed followed by 25(OH)D measurements following 1.5 months of intervention. 14…”

Section: Vitamin D Measurementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitamin D and COVID-19: Insight on Mechanism and Implementation in Equatorial Countries

2021

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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, affecting millions of people worldwide due to its ease of transmission. Despite limited information on effective therapeutic options, vitamin D has been regularly reported to exert beneficial immunomodulatory effects affecting both innate and adaptive immune systems. As it is synthesized in the skin under ultraviolet radiation, population living in equatorial countries are presumed to have adequate vitamin D, however several studies have shown otherwise. This article is aimed to give an insight on the different mechanisms by which vitamin D affects our immune system in COVID-19, as well as discussing correlation of having sunlight all year round by being near the equator towards vitamin D adequacy.

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Vitamin D and COVID‐19: It is time to act

Cited by 26 publications

References 78 publications

Can Optimum Solar Radiation Exposure or Supplemented Vitamin D Intake Reduce the Severity of COVID-19 Symptoms?

Can Optimum Solar Radiation Exposure or Supplemented Vitamin D Intake Reduce the Severity of COVID-19 Symptoms?

ace2expression is higher in intestines and liver while being tightly regulated in development and disease in zebrafish

Vitamin D and COVID-19: Insight on Mechanism and Implementation in Equatorial Countries

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