Vitamin D Deficiency and Receptor Polymorphisms as Risk Factors for COVID-19
Nur Efe Iris, Ozlem Akman, Demet Akin, Palmet Gun Atak, Ahmed Cihad Genc, Funda Simsek, Taner Yildirmak, Gunnur Demircan
Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology, doi:10.5812/jjm-140726
Background: Early immune responses to COVID-19 can help eliminate the virus; therefore, strategies to improve the immune system have become important in disease prevention. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 by increasing the expression of the vitamin D receptor. Objectives: This study investigated the impact of vitamin D deficiency, Fok 1, and Taq 1 Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and comorbidities on the susceptibility to COVID-19. Methods: Fok1 and Taq1 polymorphisms were analyzed using the RT-PCR method, and vitamin D levels were measured using the chemiluminescence method. A total of 200 patients, 100 with COVID-19 and 100 without, provided blood samples for analysis.
Results: The COVID-19 positive group had a significantly lower mean vitamin D level of 16.2 ± 11.3 ng/mL compared to the COVID-19 negative control group, 26.7 ± 15.9 ng/mL (P < 0.001). Individuals with a vitamin D level below 18.4 ng/mL had a 2.448 times higher risk of COVID-19 positivity (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the Fok1 and Taq1 gene polymorphisms between the two groups. (P = 0.548 and P = 0.098). The COVID-19 positive group had a significantly higher number of comorbid diseases with 40 (40%) compared to the negative group with 10 (10%) participants (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Levels of vitamin D above the cut-off value of 18.4 ng/mL were found to protect against COVID-19, while the presence of comorbid diseases was identified as a risk factor. However, no association was observed between the Fok1 and Taq1 polymorphisms and susceptibility to COVID-19.
Conflict of Interests: The authors assert that there are no conflicts of interest. Data Reproducibility: It was not declared by the authors.
Ethical Approval: This study has been approved under the ethical approval code 04.08.2020/2020-14-02 Demiro glu Bilim University Ethical Committee. Funding/Support: Researchers supported the study with their own budget. Informed Consent: Informed consent was obtained from all participants.
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doi:10.1038/s41390-022-02275-6DOI record:
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