Vitamin D metabolism parameters in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Background. Recently, clinical benefits among COVID-19 patients, received vitamin D were demonstrated. Features of vitamin D metabolism in the acute period of COVID-19 remain unclear.

Objective. To assess the level of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and cholecalciferol effect on the vitamin D metabolites dynamic.

Materials and methods. Group 1 (n = 22) patients received cholecalciferol bolus therapy at a total dose of 100,000 IU. Group 2 patients (n = 22) did not receive cholecalciferol supplementation. Serum 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D levels were estimated for each group on the first and the ninth day of hospitalization.

Results. On the ninth day of hospitalization 25(OH)D serum level demonstrated the 45.8 % rise in the Group 1, while in the Group 2 there was a decrease in the 25(OH)D level by 17.9%. At the same time, dynamic evaluation of the 1.25(OH)2D level did not show any differences between the groups, while pairwise comparison on the first and on the ninth days of hospitalization revealed an increase in the active metabolite concentration (p < 0.001) in both groups.

Conclusion. Such vitamin D metabolism parameters in the acute period of COVID-19 may be associated with a 1α-hydroxylase activity alteration. Thus, 1.25(OH)2D serum level increase regardless of vitamin D status during the hospitalization could be explained by the COVID-19 course or concomitant corticosteroid medication.

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