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Vitamin D and COVID-19: Role of ACE2, age, gender, and ethnicity

Bruk Getachew1, Yousef Tizabi1

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington DC, USA.

Journal of Medical Virology
|May 15, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin D deficiency increases COVID-19 severity, especially in older men and ethnic minorities. This deficiency impacts the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and ACE2, a key SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor, worsening respiratory outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disproportionately affects older individuals, men, ethnic minorities, and those with comorbidities.
  • Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in at-risk populations and linked to increased susceptibility to COVID-19 and its associated diseases.
  • Vitamin D deficiency may exacerbate COVID-19 by affecting the pulmonary renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the influence of age, gender, and ethnicity on the vitamin D-ACE2 interaction.
  • To explore how these factors contribute to COVID-19 susceptibility and severity.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on the interplay between vitamin D, ACE2, and COVID-19.
  • Analysis of existing data on demographic disparities in COVID-19 outcomes.
  • Examination of the biological mechanisms linking vitamin D status to RAS and ACE2 function.

Main Results:

  • Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased COVID-19 risk and severity, particularly in vulnerable groups.
  • The vitamin D-ACE2 interaction is influenced by age, gender, and ethnicity.
  • Deficiency can lead to over-activation of RAS, potentially worsening COVID-19 respiratory symptoms.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin D status is a critical factor influencing COVID-19 outcomes, especially in specific demographic groups.
  • Targeting vitamin D levels may be a strategy to mitigate COVID-19 severity.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interactions between vitamin D, ACE2, and demographic factors in COVID-19 pathogenesis.

Keywords:
SARS-CoV-2angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)co-morbidity-COVID-19cytokine Stormvitamin D deficiency

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