KEYWORDS: Vitamin D, Treg cells, inflammation, COVID19, pandemic, Cytokine
Release Syndrome, sepsis, supplements, Vitamin D toxicity
The pandemic
of COVID has affected worldly lives just like those epidemics and infections
prior in the history occurred. Its pathogenesis is still under trials and
observations, however, when we analyse the role of vitamin D in COVID, we get
to know some interesting facts. A lot
of studies showed that people deficient in vitamin D are more prone to carry
COVID19.
According to
Pulse International Pakistan, a clinical trial conducted by Prof. Javed
Akram, Vice Chancellor of University of Health Sciences showed that almost 79%
of Pakistani population is suffering from Vitamin-D deficiency. Speaking on
Covid19, Vitamin-D and infectious diseases Prof. Faridoon Jawad said that vitamin-D
is also helpful in controlling the symptoms of Flue. It has been found
extremely helpful in improving the symptoms of Covid19 patients as well. Also
LDH level improve after the use of Sunny Vitamin-D. He further tells that the
data of this trial is currently being analyzed and molecule level, inflammatory
level is also under analysis.
The presence
and severity of COVID19 has been determined by acute respiratory syndrome,
pneumonia and several conditions carrying inflammation in or around the
respiratory tract. But as a matter of fact, when body is bound to start defense
mechanisms, a number of white blood cells, including B cells, T cells, natural
killer cells, macrophages and monocytes are activated and release inflammatory
cytokines which activate more white blood cells in a positive feedback loop of
pathogenic inflammation. As a consequence, increased inflammatory cells will
lead to more inflammation of already inflamed conditions in acute respiratory
syndrome, this is known as Cytokine Release Syndrome leading to hyper
inflammation & sepsis. However, T regulatory cells, which regulate/suppress
this abnormal increment in immune response to prevent autoimmune disease; can
be a rescue to the condition.
These Treg
cells have been recently reported to be low in many of the COVID infected
patients, illustrated by the fact that low vitamin D levels are commonly
associated with a significantly increased risk of upper respiratory tract
infections. Hence Treg cells can be increased by the intake of vitamin D and
supplementation. Low levels of vitamin D are also associated with an increase
in inflammatory cytokines.
According to
Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (JCPSP):
“A
meta-analysis did show benefit of taking vitamin D supplementation among
patients with low 25 hydroxy-vitamin D levels presenting with upper respiratory
tract infections URTIs”
In addition;
According to a peer reviewed data from healthline.com
“Hospital
data of 235 patients with COVID-19 were analyzed. In patients older than age
40, those who had adequate levels of vitamin D were 51.5% less likely to have
adverse outcomes, including becoming unconscious, hypoxia, and death, as
compared to vitamin D-deficient patients”
Whereas it
is important to synchronize the intake of vitamin D and supplements to avoid ‘Vitamin
D toxicity’. For the aforementioned reason, the chronic intake of low doses of
vitamin D is efficacious rather than bolus administration of large doses.
Besides, before taking vitamin D supplements one should have a word with the
physician if they are having prior impairment complexities and get their
vitamin D levels tested.
