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Review
. 2022 Sep:73:127044.
doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2022.127044. Epub 2022 Jul 20.

Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic effects of different vitamins and minerals in COVID-19 patients

Mohsen Karami Fath  1 , Malihe Naderi  2 , Hosna Hamzavi  3 , Mahmoud Ganji  4 , Shima Shabani  4 , Faezeh Noorabad Ghahroodi  5 , Bahman Khalesi  6 , Navid Pourzardosht  7 , Zahra Sadat Hashemi  8 , Saeed Khalili  9
Affiliations
Review

Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic effects of different vitamins and minerals in COVID-19 patients

Mohsen Karami Fath et al. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2022 Sep.

Abstract

COVID-19 is a rapidly spreading disease, which has caught the world by surprise. Millions of people suffer from illness, and the mortality rates are dramatically high. Currently, there is no specific and immediate treatment for this disease. Remedies are limited to supportive regiments and few antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs. The lack of a definite cure for COVID-19 is the reason behind its high mortality and global prevalence. COVID-19 can lead to a critical illness with severe respiratory distress and cytokine release. Increased oxidative stress and excessive production of inflammatory cytokines are vital components of severe COVID-19. Micronutrients, metalloids, and vitamins such as iron, manganese, selenium, Zinc, Copper, vitamin A, B family, and C are among the essential and trace elements that play a pivotal role in human nutrition and health. They participate in metabolic processes that lead to energy production. In addition, they support immune functions and act as antioxidants. Therefore, maintaining an optimal level of micronutrients intake, particularly those with antioxidant activities, is essential to fight against oxidative stress, modulate inflammation, and boost the immune system. Therefore, these factors could play a crucial role in COVID-19 prevention and treatment. In this review, we aimed to summarize antiviral properties of different vitamins and minerals. Moreover, we will investigate the correlation between them and their effects in COVID-19 patients.

Keywords: COVID-19; Infectious disease; Minerals; SARS-CoV-2; Vitamins.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Not specific funding was obtained for this work.

Figures

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Graphical abstract
Fig. 1
Fig. 1
COVID-19 pathogenesis and retinoic acid depletion syndrome.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Antiviral properties of vitamin C.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The relationship between vitamin D and the innate and adaptive immune system.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Relation between vitamin D, COVID-19, and cytokine storm.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
The roles of selenium in viral infections.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
The protective mechanism of zinc in COVID-19 patients.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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