Unraveling the roles of vitamin D status and melanin during Covid19 (Review).
Int J Mol Med
; 47(1): 92-100, 2021 01.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-979792
ABSTRACT
As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) continues to spread worldwide, it has become evident that the morbidity and mortality rates clearly vary across nations. Although several factors may account for this disparity, striking differences within and between populations indicate that ethnicity might impact COVID19 clinical outcomes, reflecting the 'color of disease'. Therefore, the role of key biological variables that could interplay with viral spreading and severity indices has attracted increasing attention, particularly among nonCaucasian populations. Although the links between vitamin D status and the incidence and severity of COVID-19 remain elusive, several lines of emerging evidence suggest that vitamin D signaling, targeting several immunemediated pathways, may offer potential benefits at different stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Given that the vitamin D status is modulated by several intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including skin type (pigmentation), melanin polymers may also play a role in variable COVID19 outcomes among diverse population settings. Moreover, apart from the wellknown limiting effects of melanin on the endogenous production of vitamin D, the potential crosstalk between the pigmentary and immune system may also require special attention concerning the current pandemic. The present review article aimed to shed light on a range of mostly overlooked host factors, such as vitamin D status and melanin pigments, that may influence the course and outcome of COVID19.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Vitamin D
/
Vitamin D Deficiency
/
Vitamins
/
Pandemics
/
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
/
Melanins
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Int J Mol Med
Journal subject:
Molecular Biology
/
Genetics, Medical
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Ijmm.2020.4802
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