ABSTRACT
Observational studies have overwhelmingly demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) infection and severity. However, serum 25(OH)D may act as a negative acute phase reactant and therefore an unreliable marker for vitamin D status post‐inflammatory insult. This study evaluated the serum levels of 25(OH)D, 34 cytokines and chemokines in 220 participants (82 control and 138 SARS‐CoV‐2 patients). Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in the SARS‐CoV‐2 group than controls. Serum IP‐10, MCP‐1, CRP, IFNγ, IL‐10, IL‐13, IL‐17α, IL‐23, and IL‐6 were significantly higher in COVID‐19 patients compared to healthy control. Results showed that serum levels of VEGF, IFNγ, IL‐13, and IL‐5 were significantly higher in male patients compared to females. 25(OH)D was significantly correlated with EFG (R=0.39, p<0.05) and IL‐15 (R=0.39, p<0.05) in male patients, while inversely correlated with CRP (R=‐0.51, p<0.05) in female patients. In conclusion, we recommend 25(OH)D supplementation among high‐risk individuals and SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected individuals. Additionally, the upregulated cytokines might serve as therapeutic targets to modulate the heightened inflammation and disease severity, moreover, they could be helpful in the early screening of critical illness, diagnosis and treatment of SARS‐CoV‐2.