Serum levels of vitamin D and immune system function in patients with COVID-19 admitted to intensive care unit
Soltani-Zangbar et al.,
Serum levels of vitamin D and immune system function in patients with COVID-19 admitted to intensive care unit,
Gene Reports, doi:10.1016/j.genrep.2022.101509
Analysis of 50 COVID-19 ICU patients and 50 healthy controls in Iran, showing significantly lower vitamin D levels in COVID-19 patients.
Soltani-Zangbar et al., 15 Jan 2022, prospective, Iran, peer-reviewed, 7 authors.
Abstract: Gene Reports 26 (2022) 101509
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Gene Reports
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/genrep
Serum levels of vitamin D and immune system function in patients with
COVID-19 admitted to intensive care unit
Mohammad Sadegh Soltani-Zangbar a, Ata Mahmoodpoor b, Sanam Dolati c, **, Ali Shamekh d,
Sepehr Valizadeh d, Mehdi Yousefi a, Sarvin Sanaie e, *
a
Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Center, Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
d
Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
e
Neurosciences Research Center, Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
b
c
A R T I C L E I N F O
A B S T R A C T
Edited by Hee-Jeong Im Sampen
Objective: Vitamin D is believed to affect the functionality of the immune system for the prevention of coronavirus
disease. To investigate the role of this vitamin against the Coronavirus, this study analyzed the serum levels of
vitamin D, the transcription pattern of inflammatory cytokines, and the frequency of total lymphocytes, TCD4+,
TCD8+, and NK cells in 50 COVID-19-affected subjects in comparison to 50 healthy participants.
Materials and methods: This study diagnosed and evaluated 100 patients. Frequency of lymphocytes was deter
mined using flow cytometry. Cytokine expression levels were measured using Real-Time PCR. Serum levels of
vitamin D and cytokines levels in cultured cell supernatant were measured by ELISA.
Results: Patients with COVID-19 exhibited decreased serum levels of vitamin D versus the healthy participants (p
= 0.0024). The total number of lymphocytes, TCD4+, TCD8+, and NK cells was significantly reduced in patients
with COVID-19 (p < 0.0001). Considerable upregulation of IL-12, IFN-γ, and TNF-α was seen in COVID-19 pa
tients compared to the control group, whereas IFN-α was downregulated in COVID-19 patients. ELISA results also
had increased levels of IL-12, TNF-α, and IFN-γ (p = 0.0014, 0.0012, and p < 0.0001, respectively), and
decreased level of IFN-α (p = 0.0021) in patients with COVID-19 compared to the control group.
Conclusion: These findings suggest a probable association among vitamin D concentrations, immune system
function, and risk of COVID-19 infection. As a result, it is recommended that vitamin D be considered as a
candidate for handling and controlling COVID-19 because of its ability to target the cytokine storm and its
antiviral effects.
Keywords:
COVID-19
SARS Coronavirus
Vitamin D
Immune Response
Lymphocytes
Cytokines
Please send us corrections, updates, or comments. Vaccines and
treatments are complementary. All practical, effective, and safe means should
be used based on risk/benefit analysis. No treatment, vaccine, or intervention
is 100% available and effective for all current and future variants. We do not
provide medical advice. Before taking any medication, consult a qualified
physician who can provide personalized advice and details of risks and
benefits based on your medical history and situation.
FLCCC and
WCH
provide treatment protocols.
Submit