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Alesci A, Pergolizzi S, Fumia A, Miller A, Cernigliaro C, Zaccone M, Salamone V, Mastrantonio E, Gangemi S, Pioggia G, Cicero N. Immune System and Psychological State of Pregnant Women during COVID-19 Pandemic: Are Micronutrients Able to Support Pregnancy? Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14122534. [PMID: 35745263 PMCID: PMC9227584 DOI: 10.3390/nu14122534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune system is highly dynamic and susceptible to many alterations throughout pregnancy. Since December 2019, a pandemic caused by coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has swept the globe. To contain the spread of COVID-19, immediate measures such as quarantine and isolation were implemented. These containment measures have contributed to exacerbate situations of anxiety and stress, especially in pregnant women, who are already particularly anxious about their condition. Alterations in the psychological state of pregnant women are related to alterations in the immune system, which is more vulnerable under stress. COVID-19 could therefore find fertile soil in these individuals and risk more severe forms. Normally a controlled dietary regimen is followed during pregnancy, but the use of particular vitamins and micronutrients can help counteract depressive-anxiety states and stress, can improve the immune system, and provide an additional weapon in the defense against COVID-19 to bring the pregnancy to fruition. This review aims to gather data on the impact of COVID-19 on the immune system and psychological condition of pregnant women and to assess whether some micronutrients can improve their psychophysical symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Alesci
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy;
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (A.F.); (N.C.)
| | - Simona Pergolizzi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy;
| | - Angelo Fumia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98147 Messina, Italy;
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (A.F.); (N.C.)
| | - Anthea Miller
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy;
| | - Caterina Cernigliaro
- Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale 5 Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (C.C.); (M.Z.); (V.S.); (E.M.)
| | - Maria Zaccone
- Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale 5 Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (C.C.); (M.Z.); (V.S.); (E.M.)
| | - Vanessa Salamone
- Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale 5 Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (C.C.); (M.Z.); (V.S.); (E.M.)
| | - Enza Mastrantonio
- Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale 5 Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (C.C.); (M.Z.); (V.S.); (E.M.)
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98147 Messina, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Pioggia
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Nicola Cicero
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Science and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (A.F.); (N.C.)
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Alesci A, Lauriano ER, Fumia A, Irrera N, Mastrantonio E, Vaccaro M, Gangemi S, Santini A, Cicero N, Pergolizzi S. Relationship between Immune Cells, Depression, Stress, and Psoriasis: Could the Use of Natural Products Be Helpful? Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27061953. [PMID: 35335319 PMCID: PMC8954591 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27061953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Psoriasis is one of the most widespread chronic inflammatory skin diseases, affecting about 2%-3% of the worldwide adult population. The pathogenesis of this disease is quite complex, but an interaction between genetic and environmental factors has been recognized with an essential modulation of inflammatory and immune responses in affected patients. Psoriatic plaques generally represent the clinical psoriatic feature resulting from an abnormal proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes, which cause dermal hyperplasia, skin infiltration of immune cells, and increased capillarity. Some scientific pieces of evidence have reported that psychological stress may play a key role in psoriasis, and the disease itself may cause stress conditions in patients, thus reproducing a vicious cycle. The present review aims at examining immune cell involvement in psoriasis and the relationship of depression and stress in its pathogenesis and development. In addition, this review contains a focus on the possible use of natural products, thus pointing out their mechanism of action in order to counteract clinical and psychological symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Alesci
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Stagno d’Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (E.R.L.); (S.P.)
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (A.S.); (N.C.)
| | - Eugenia Rita Lauriano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Stagno d’Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (E.R.L.); (S.P.)
| | - Angelo Fumia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Viale Gazzi, 98147 Messina, Italy; (A.F.); (S.G.)
| | - Natasha Irrera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine—Section of Pharmacology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | | | - Mario Vaccaro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine—Section of Dermatology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Viale Gazzi, 98147 Messina, Italy; (A.F.); (S.G.)
| | - Antonello Santini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (A.S.); (N.C.)
| | - Nicola Cicero
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Science and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.A.); (A.S.); (N.C.)
| | - Simona Pergolizzi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Stagno d’Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (E.R.L.); (S.P.)
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