Engin MMN, Özdemir Ö. Role of vitamin D in COVID-19 and other viral infections. World J Virol 2024; 13(3): 95349 [PMID: 39323448 DOI: 10.5501/wjv.v13.i3.95349]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Öner Özdemir, MD, Full Professor, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Sakarya Research and Training Hospital, Sakarya University, Faculty of Medicine, Adnan Menderes Cad., Sağlık Sok., No. 195 Adapazarı, Sakarya 54100, Türkiye. onerozdemir@sakarya.edu.tr
Research Domain of This Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Article-Type of This Article
Review
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Virol. Sep 25, 2024; 13(3): 95349 Published online Sep 25, 2024. doi: 10.5501/wjv.v13.i3.95349
Role of vitamin D in COVID-19 and other viral infections
Muhammet Mesut Nezir Engin, Öner Özdemir
Muhammet Mesut Nezir Engin, Private Outpatient Clinic of Child Follow-up Academy, Sakarya 54050, Türkiye
Öner Özdemir, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Sakarya Research and Training Hospital, Sakarya University, Faculty of Medicine, Sakarya 54100, Türkiye
Author contributions: Engin MMN and Özdemir Ö have done everything.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Öner Özdemir, MD, Full Professor, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Sakarya Research and Training Hospital, Sakarya University, Faculty of Medicine, Adnan Menderes Cad., Sağlık Sok., No. 195 Adapazarı, Sakarya 54100, Türkiye. onerozdemir@sakarya.edu.tr
Received: April 8, 2024 Revised: June 14, 2024 Accepted: July 19, 2024 Published online: September 25, 2024 Processing time: 142 Days and 9.7 Hours
Abstract
Vitamin D is a steroid hormone that is naturally produced in the body or obtained through dietary sources, primarily under the influence of UVB radiation. This essential nutrient has a vital role in numerous physiological processes, encompassing immune function, cell growth, differentiation, insulin regulation, and cardiovascular well-being, along with its pivotal role in sustaining the delicate equilibrium of calcium and phosphate concentrations in the body. Moreover, vitamin D reinforces mucosal defense and bolsters the immune system through immunomodulation, making it a critical component of overall health. Numerous studies have unveiled the profound connection between vitamin D and the predisposition to respiratory tract infections, including well-known viruses such as influenza and the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Vitamin D deficiency has been consistently linked to increased severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and a heightened risk of mortality among afflicted individuals. Retrospective observational studies have further substantiated these findings, indicating that levels of vitamin D are linked with both the occurrence and severity of COVID-19 cases. Vitamin D has its influence on viral infections through a multitude of mechanisms, such as promoting the release of antimicrobial peptides and fine-tuning the responses of the immune system. Additionally, vitamin D is intertwined with the intricate network of the renin–angiotensin system, suggesting a potential impact on the development of complications related to COVID-19. While further clinical trials and extensive research are warranted, the existing body of evidence strongly hints at the possible use of vitamin D as a valuable tool in the prophylaxis and management of COVID-19 and other viral infectious diseases.
Core Tip: While further clinical trials and extensive research are warranted, the existing body of evidence strongly hints at the possible use of vitamin D as a valuable tool in the prophylaxis and management of coronavirus disease 2019 and other viral infectious disease.
