Last updated: 16 April 2020 22:00EST by Frank Cusimano
Summary
As I have posted about VitD before (make sure to see my previous post first), you will know that VitD is important for the immune response. Recently new mediators in the immune response to the coronavirus were identified. One of the molecules, is the same molecule that led to exacerbation of the H1N1 outbreak. VitD and the VitD receptor are important because they have been shown to limit the release of these mediators in the immune response.
Science
Previously I mentioned the cytokine storm. After someone becomes infected, the body starts to fight off the virus through the innate immune response utilizing cytokines and nonspecific immune cells. Overtime time your immune system transitions from the innate response to the adaptive immune response utilizing a slower antibody-based approach. In some individuals, during the innate immune response, an overzealous inflammatory response can occur leading to high levels of different cytokines and immune mediators. This, cytokine storm, can lead to the recruitment of additional cells causing widespread tissue damage. In this transition, between the innate and immune system, one cytokine is particularly responsible.
A recent paper came out showing that in patients with COVID-19, who progressed to severe disease, three cytokines, IP-10, MCP-3, and IL-1ra, were significantly higher . Although we always hear about IL-6, in this paper, Il-6 was no more elevated in severe cases compared to moderate cases. IP-10, however is the cytokine responsible for proinflammatory chemotaxis in the transition from the innate to the adaptive immune response . IP-10 belongs to the CXC chemokine family is actually (IFN-y)-induced CXCL10. If any of you follow Dr. Jamie Rutland, you will know he also talked about IP-10. IP-10 is actually the pathway that is responsible for the acute lung injury in the previous H1N1 swine flu pandemic and is said to cause ARDS and may be one of the pathways responsible in the severe disease process of COVID-19.
As I have posted about VitD before (make sure to see my previous post first), you will know that VitD is important for the immune response. Ironically, the VitD Receptor (VDR) is actually located on many of these cells that release IP-10 . When bound, VitD has been shown to suppress the inflammatory process switching the immune response from T Helper 1 (Th1) to T Helper 2 (Th2) counteracting the enhancing inflammatory loop of the cytokines. How does it do this? Well when VitD is bound the the VDR, it reduces the release of IP-10/CXCL10 suppressing that immune activation pathway discussed above.
No, Vitamin D will never be a direct cure or treatment. But this understanding makes it even more important to consider supplementing with it during this pandemic. Everyone should decide on their own what is right for their own health. I do not sell supplements or make money off my posts. In understanding the science, it makes perfect sense to me why I want to make sure I am not vitamin D deficient and why I should have sufficient vitamin D. Note: my dosing from my previous posts still holds, I do not think there is a need to increase the amount of Vitamin D over the normally recommended dosage.
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Disclaimer: Opinions on this site or on social media do not reflect that of my institutions. I do not provide medical advice. If you have a medical question please see your doctor or if you have a medical emergency, please go to the nearest emergency room.. I have a PhD in Nutrition and Metabolic Biology and three masters degrees including two master’s in nutrition & metabolism. I am a personal trainer & have researched nutrition for 12 years. The info I post is my interpretation of the medical and scientific literature.
