Renieris G, Foutadakis S, Andriopoulou T, Spanou VM, Droggiti DE, Kafousopoulos D, Gkavogianni T, Damoraki G, Vatsellas G, Giamarellos-Bourboulis EJ. Association of Vitamin D with Severity and Outcome of COVID-19: Clinical and Experimental Evidence.
J Innate Immun 2023;
16:1-11. [PMID:
38008066 PMCID:
PMC10764091 DOI:
10.1159/000535302]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The role of vitamin in COVID-19 remains controversial. We investigated the association between endogenous vitamin D and the severity of COVID-19 as well as the mechanisms of action of vitamin D supplementation.
METHODS
25(OH)D3 in serum was associated with disease severity and outcome in 190 COVID-19 patients. In a COVID-19 animal model using intravenous injection of plasma from patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome into C57/BL6 mice, mice were treated with 0.25 μg human 1,25(OH)D3 or vehicle. Mice were sacrificed on day 4. Cytokines and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in tissues were measured. Changes in gene expression after vitamin D supplementation were measured.
RESULTS
Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were associated with increased severity and unfavorable outcome after 28 days. Vitamin D levels were negatively associated with biomarkers of COVID-19 severity. Vitamin D supplementation after challenge of mice with COVID-19 plasma led to reduced levels of TNFα, IL-6, IFNγ, and MPO in the lung, as well as down-regulation of pro-inflammatory pathways.
CONCLUSION
Normal levels of endogenous vitamin D are associated with reduced severity and risk of unfavorable outcome in COVID-19, possibly through attenuation of tissue-specific hyperinflammation.
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