Artículo

Vitamin D: A key player in COVID-19 immunity and lessons from the pandemic to combat immune-evasive variants

Resumen

As of the 7th of July 2024, 775,754,322 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 7,053,902 deaths worldwide, had been reported to the WHO (World Health Organization). Nevertheless, untill the 15th of July 2024, a total of 13,578,710,228 vaccine doses had been administered, with almost no country spared from COVID-19 attacks. The pathophysiology of this virus is complicated, and several symptoms require a deep understanding of the actual mechanisms. It is unclear why some patients develop severe symptoms while others do not, although literature suggests a role for vitamin D. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in the infection or in ameliorating the severity of symptoms. The mechanism of action of vitamin D and vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is well understood. VDD is associated with increased hospitalization of severely ill patients and increased levels of COVID-19-caused mortality. Recent studies suggest that vitamin D levels and genetic variations in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene significantly impact the severity and outcomes of COVID-19, especially in the infections caused by Delta and Omicron variants. Furthermore, VDD causes immune system dysregulation upon infection with SARS-CoV-2, indicating that vitamin D sufficiency is crucial in fighting against COVID-19 infection. The therapeutic effect of vitamin D raises interest in its potential role as a prophylactic and treatment adjunct. We evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of vitamin D and its ability to enhance the efficacy of new antiviral drugs like molnupiravir and paxlovid against SARS-CoV-2. This review discusses the role of vitamin D sufficiency and VDD in COVID-19 initiation and progression, emphasizing the molecular mechanisms by which vitamin D exerts its actions as a proactive step for the next pandemic. However, there is still no clear evidence of vitamin D’s impact on prevention and treatment, leading to contradictory findings. Therefore, large-scale randomized trials are required to reach a definitive conclusion. A bibliometric analysis of publications related to vitamin D, immunity, and COVID-19 revealed a significant increase in research activity in this area, particularly in 2020–2024, underscoring the growing recognition of vitamin D’s potential role in the context of the pandemic.
Sabit, Hussein (51864370000); Abdel-Ghany, Shaimaa (57212025334); Abdallah, Mahmoud S. (57191621375); Abul-Maaty, Osama (59380342700); Khoder, Ahmed I. (59380954400); Shoman, Nabil A. (57214466285); Farrag, Mohamed Sameh (59380189700); Martasek, Pavel (7006876042); Noreddin, Ayman M. (6603248511); Nazih, Mahmoud (58262218900)
Vitamin D: A key player in COVID-19 immunity and lessons from the pandemic to combat immune-evasive variants
2024
10.1007/s10787-024-01578-w
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85207263170&doi=10.1007%2fs10787-024-01578-w&partnerID=40&md5=d841fba3603377e77b3b2176d8fba2f7
Department of Medical Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology, Misr University for Science and Technology, P. O. Box 77, Giza, Egypt; Department of Environmental Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology, Misr University for Science and Technology, P. O. Box 77, Giza, Egypt; Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sadat City (USC), Sadat City, 32897, Egypt; Department of PharmD, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jadara University, Irbid, 21110, Jordan; Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt; Scientific Office, Egyptian Society of Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine (ESPM), Cairo, Egypt; Molecular Biology Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, University of Sadat City, Sadat City, Egypt; Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Koum, Egypt; Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahram Canadian University, Giza, Egypt; Department of Paediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague Ke Karlovu 2, Praha 2, 128 08, Czech Republic; Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahram Canadian University (ACU), 6th of October City, Giza, 12566, Egypt; Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States; Al Ryada University for Science and Technology (RST), ElMehwar ElMarkazy-2, Cairo – Alex desert RD K92, Sadat City, 16504, Egypt
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