TY - JOUR
T1 - Synergy Between Vitamin D and Sex Hormones in Respiratory Functionality of Patients Affected by COVID-19
AU - Peruzzu, Daniela
AU - Pagano, Maria Teresa
AU - Pierdominici, Marina
AU - INMI-ISS COVID-19 Team
AU - Ruggieri, Anna
AU - Antinori, Andrea
AU - D’Offizi, Gianpiero
AU - Petrosillo, Nicola
AU - Palmieri, Fabrizio
AU - Piselli, Pierluca
AU - Boumis, Evangelo
AU - Notari, Stefania
AU - Nicastri, Emanuele
AU - Agrati, Chiara
AU - Ippolito, Giuseppe
AU - Gagliardi, Maria Cristina
AU - Capobianchi, Maria Rosaria
AU - Ortona, Elena
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Copyright © 2021 Peruzzu, Pagano, Pierdominici, Ruggieri, Antinori, D’Offizi, Petrosillo, Palmieri, Piselli, Boumis, Notari, Nicastri, Agrati, Ippolito, Gagliardi, Capobianchi and Ortona.
PY - 2021/5/13
Y1 - 2021/5/13
N2 - The outcome of COVID-19 appears to be influenced by vitamin D status of population. Although epidemiological data indicate that COVID-19 produces more severe symptoms and higher mortality in elderly in comparison to young patients and in men in comparison to women to date sex and age differences in vitamin D status in infected patients have not been evaluated yet. In this study we evaluated the levels of circulating 25(OH)D in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 divided accordingly to their sex and age. We also correlated 25(OH)D levels with patient’s respiratory status (i.e., PaO2/FiO2 ratio) and with sex hormones plasma levels to analyze the potential relationship of these parameters. We found no significant differences in plasma levels of 25(OH)D between pre- and post-menopausal female patients and age matched male patients. Interestingly, the 25(OH)D plasma levels positively correlated to PaO2/FiO2 ratio only in young patients, regardless of their sex. We also found a significantly positive correlation between 17β-estradiol and 25(OH)D in elderly women and between testosterone and 25(OH)D in elderly men, supporting the role of sex hormones in maintaining 25(OH)D levels. In conclusion, we suggest that a synergy between vitamin D and sex hormones could contribute to the age-related outcome of COVID-19.
AB - The outcome of COVID-19 appears to be influenced by vitamin D status of population. Although epidemiological data indicate that COVID-19 produces more severe symptoms and higher mortality in elderly in comparison to young patients and in men in comparison to women to date sex and age differences in vitamin D status in infected patients have not been evaluated yet. In this study we evaluated the levels of circulating 25(OH)D in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 divided accordingly to their sex and age. We also correlated 25(OH)D levels with patient’s respiratory status (i.e., PaO2/FiO2 ratio) and with sex hormones plasma levels to analyze the potential relationship of these parameters. We found no significant differences in plasma levels of 25(OH)D between pre- and post-menopausal female patients and age matched male patients. Interestingly, the 25(OH)D plasma levels positively correlated to PaO2/FiO2 ratio only in young patients, regardless of their sex. We also found a significantly positive correlation between 17β-estradiol and 25(OH)D in elderly women and between testosterone and 25(OH)D in elderly men, supporting the role of sex hormones in maintaining 25(OH)D levels. In conclusion, we suggest that a synergy between vitamin D and sex hormones could contribute to the age-related outcome of COVID-19.
KW - gender
KW - SARS-CoV-2
KW - sex differences
KW - sex hormones
KW - vitamin D
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U2 - 10.3389/fphar.2021.683529
DO - 10.3389/fphar.2021.683529
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85107142427
SN - 1663-9812
VL - 12
SP - 1
EP - 5
JO - Frontiers in Pharmacology
JF - Frontiers in Pharmacology
M1 - 683529
ER -