Vitamin D and COVID-19

Authors

  • Rashmi Aggarwal Department of Thyroid and Endocrine Research, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), DRDO Timarpur, Delhi, India
  • Hemant Aggarwal Department of Health, B. K. Hospital Faridabad, Haryana, India
  • Rhea Aggarwal MBBS Student, Maharaja Agrasen Medical College, Agroha-Hisar, Haryana, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20202293

Keywords:

Cathelicidin, Defensin, Novel corona virus, Vitamin D

Abstract

The ongoing COVID -19 pandemic is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus -2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since its emergence in Wuhan in Hubei province of China in December 2019, the virus has spread to every continent except Antartica. Currently, there is no registered treatment or vaccine for the disease. In the current scenario of the deadly virus spreading across continents and the absence of a specific treatment of novel corona virus, there is an urgent need to search for alternative strategies to prevent and control the rapid replication of virus. Vitamin D supplementation may reduce the incidence, severity and risk of death from pneumonia (consequent to the cytokine storm) in the current COVID pandemic. Through its effect on innate and adaptive immunity, vitamin D can reduce the risk of viral respiratory tract infections. 1, 25(OH) vitamin D directly stimulates the production of anti-microbial peptides like defensin and Cathelicidin that can reduce the rate of viral replication. In addition, it can also reduce the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines that are responsible for causing cytokine storm and resultant fatal pneumonia. In order to reduce the risk of infection especially in developing country like India, it is recommended that people at risk of COVDI19 may be considered for vitamin D supplementation.

References

Hollick MF. Vitamin D deficiency. N Eng J Med. 2007;357:266-8.

Hollick MF. Vitamin D deficiency pandemic: approaches for diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2017;18:153-65.

Nonnecke BJ, McGill JL, Ridpath JF, Sacco RE, Lippolis JD, Reinhardt TA. Acute phase response elicited by experimental bovine diarrhea virus infection is associated with decreased vitamin D and E status of vitamin‐replete pre ruminant calves. J Dairy Sci. 2014;97:5566‐79.

Glisson F. De Rachitide Sive Morbo Puerili Qui Vulgo the Rickets Dicitur Tactatus/Adscitis in Operis Societatem Georgio Bate et Ahasuero Regemortero. Du-Gardi: London, UK; 1650:1-146.

Norval M. A short circular history of vitamin D from its discovery to its effects. Res Medica. 2005;268(2)57-8.

Williams C. Cod liver oil in phthisis. Lond J Med. 1849;1(2):1-18.

Hess AF, Unger LJ. The cure of infantile rickets by artificial light and sunlight. Proc Soc Exp Bio Med. 1921;18:298.

Hess AF, Weinstock M, Heelman FD. The anti-rachitic value of irradiated phytosterol and cholesterol. J Bio Chem. 1925;63:305-9.

Wolf G. The discovery of vitamin D: contribution of Adolf Windaus. J Nutr. 2001;134(6):1299-302.

Ho Pham LT, Nguyen ND, Nguyen JT, Nguyen DH, Bui PK, Nguyen JN. Association between vitamin D insufficiency and tuberculosis in a Vietnamese population. BMC Infect Dis. 2010;10:306.

Gibney KB, Mac Gregor L, Leder K, Torresi J, Marshall C, Ebeling PR, et al. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa. CID. 2008;46:443-6.

Adams RS, Ren S, Liu PT, Chin RF, Lagi Shetty V, Gombart AF, et al. Vitamin D directed rheostatic regulation of monocyte antibacterial responses. J Immunol. 2009;182:4289-95.

Huang C, Wang Y, Li X, Ren L, Zhao J, Hu Y, et al. Clinical features of Patients infected with 2019 novel Corona virus in Wuhan. China Lancet 2020; 395:497-506.

Laaki T. Vitamin D and respiratory infections in adults. Proc Nutr Soc. 2012;71:90-7.

Tjabringa GS, Rabe KF, Hiemstra PS. The human cathelicidin LL-37: a multifunctional peptide involved in infection and inflammation in the lung Pulm Pharmacol Ther. 2005;18:321-7.

Baeke F, Takiishi T, Korf H, Gysemans C, Mathieu C. Vitamin D: Modulator of the immune system. Curr. Opin. Pharmacol. 2010;10:482-96.

Lang PO, Samaras D. Aging adults and seasonal influenza: does the vitamin d status (h) arm the body?. J Aging Res. 2012;2012.

Schwalfenberg GA. A review of critical role of Vit. D functioning of immune system and the clinical importance of Vit. D deficiency. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2011;55:96-108.

Carnell JJ, Vieth R, Umtau JC, Hollick MF, Grant WB, Madronich S, et al. Epidemic influenza and Vitamin D. Epid Infect. 2006;134:1129-40.

Gombart AF, Pierre A, Maggnis. A Review of micronutrients and immune-system working in Harmony to reduce the risk of Infection. Nutr. 2020;12:236.

Grant WB, Lahore H, McDonnell SL, Baggerly CA, Christine B, French CB, et al. Evidence that vitamin D supplementation could reduce risk of influenza and COVID-19 infections and deaths. Nutrient. 2020;12:988-1004.

Hollick MF, Binkley NC, Bischoff-Ferrari HA, Gordon CM, Hanley DA, Heaney RP, et al. Evaluation treatment and prevention of vitamin D deficiency: an endocrine society clinical practice guidelines. J Clin Endocrin Metab. 2011;96:1911-30.

Grant WB, Anouti F, Moukayed M. Targeted 25 hydroxyvitamin D concentration measurement and vitamin D3 supplementation can have important patient and public health benefits. Eur J Clin Nut. 2020;74:366-76.

Veugelers PJ, Pham TM, Ekwani JP. Optimal vitamin D supplementation doses that minimize the risk for both low high serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D concentration in general population. Nutrient. 2015;7:10189-208.

Downloads

Published

2020-05-26

How to Cite

Aggarwal, R., Aggarwal, H., & Aggarwal, R. (2020). Vitamin D and COVID-19. International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 8(6), 2346–2349. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20202293

Issue

Section

Review Articles