Vitamin D level in COVID-19 patients has positive correlations with autophagy and negative correlations with disease...

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cell Biology
• Virology

Background:

• The precise pathogenesis of COVID-19 remains incompletely understood.
• Vitamin D (calcitriol) modulates immune responses and pathogen resistance, but its protective mechanisms against COVID-19 are unclear.
• Autophagy, a cellular process with antiviral properties, also plays a role in homeostasis, yet its specific involvement in COVID-19 pathogenesis is uncertain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and autophagy-related proteins in COVID-19 patients.
• To evaluate the potential of vitamin D and autophagy markers as biomarkers for COVID-19 severity.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples were collected from COVID-19 patients.
• Levels of vitamin D, autophagy markers (Beclin 1 [BECN1], ATG7), and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β) were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
• Statistical analyses, including partial correlation, were employed to assess relationships between these markers.

Main Results:

• Severe/critical COVID-19 patients exhibited lower vitamin D and autophagy marker (BECN1, ATG7) levels compared to mild/moderate cases.
• Elevated inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β) were observed in severe/critical COVID-19 patients.
• Significant positive correlations were found between vitamin D levels and autophagy markers BECN1 (r=0.900) and ATG7 (r=0.819).

Conclusions:

• Vitamin D levels are negatively correlated with COVID-19 severity.
• Vitamin D demonstrates a strong positive correlation with autophagy, suggesting a synergistic role in managing COVID-19.
• These findings offer a theoretical foundation for therapeutic strategies targeting vitamin D and autophagy in COVID-19 treatment.