Impact of level of vitamin D in the body on the severity of COVID-19 - review of the literature.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review the current knowledge on vitamin D's influence on COVID-19 severity, including potential interactions with substances like quercetin.
Results Summary
The abstract mentions possible beneficial interactions of vitamin D with quercetin but does not provide specific findings on quercetin's effects.
Population
Not specified (general review of literature)
Effective Dosage
Not available
Duration
Not applicable (literature review)
Interactions
Possible beneficial interactions with vitamin D mentioned, but no specifics provided.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vitamin D | increase | immune system function | - | - | has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects | #1 |
vitamin D | decrease | cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α and INF-γ | - | - | reduces the expression | #2 |
vitamin D | increase | T helper lymphocytes, and other elements of the immune system | - | - | regulates the activity | #3 |
deficiency of this vitamin | increase | the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system | - | - | promotes the activation | #4 |
deficiency of this vitamin | increase | acute respiratory distress syndrome | - | - | contributing to the development | #5 |
vitamin D levels | neutral | the development and course of comorbidities | patients with coagulopathies, pulmonary, cardiological, metabolic diseases | - | may also be affected | #6 |
insufficient vitamin D levels | increase | a more severe course of COVID-19 | - | - | indicated a relationship with | #7 |
insufficient vitamin D levels | increase | an increase in mortality due to COVID-19 | the elderly | - | indicated a relationship with | #8 |
vitamin D | increase | immune response or disease course | - | - | possible beneficial interactions | #9 |
Maintaining an adequate level of vitamin D | increase | the functioning of the immune system | - | - | has a positive effect | #10 |
vitamin D levels | no change | the severity of COVID-19 | - | - | insufficient evidence to establish a clear relationship | #11 |
vitamin D | no change | COVID-19 | - | - | does not mention the use as a medication | #12 |
vitamin D supplementation | increase | vitamin D levels | People at risk of vitamin D deficiency | - | should consider | #13 |
INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study is to present the current state of knowledge on the influence of vitamin D levels on the severity of the course of COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The latest available literature was reviewed until October 30, 2020 from the PubMed database. RESULTS: The literature reports that vitamin D has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. It reduces the expression of cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α and INF-γ, regulates the activity of T helper lymphocytes, and other elements of the immune system at the molecular level. The deficiency of this vitamin promotes the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, contributing to the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome. The severity of the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection depends on comorbidities, the development and course of which may also be affected by vitamin D levels (coagulopathies, pulmonary, cardiological, metabolic diseases). Most of the analyzed research studies from different countries indicated a relationship between insufficient vitamin D levels and a more severe course of COVID-19 and an increase in mortality due to it, especially among the elderly. Researchers agree that further analyzes are necessary concerning both the influence of the vitamin D blood serum levels on the morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19 as well as the use of its supplementation in the struggle against SARS-CoV-2 virus. There are reports of possible beneficial interactions of vitamin D with other substances, such as quercetin, estradiol, some microelements, and other vitamins. CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining an adequate level of vitamin D has a positive effect on the functioning of the immune system. At the moment, there is insufficient evidence to establish a clear relationship between vitamin D levels and the severity of COVID-19. It is necessary to conduct further research on a larger study group. The literature does not mention the use of vitamin D as a medication for COVID-19. People at risk of vitamin D deficiency should consider vitamin D supplementation at the current time of the pandemic.