Vitamin D supplementation as a rational pharmacological approach in the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic reached most of the countries of the world causing death as a result of the inflammatory storm, oxidative imbalance from the severe acute respiratory syndrome. Many laboratories fight against the clock in search of a specific and definitive treatment. Additionally, it is interesting the evaluation -preventive and therapeutic- of the existing pharmacological agents that could be used to avoid or attenuate the severity at the pulmonary level as well as in other organs of the body is of interest. In this regard, there is evidence of vitamin D that -in high doses- could be a promising preventive and therapeutic option, especially if it is considered that this hormone modulates the same inflammatory and oxidative signaling pathways triggered during COVID-19 infection. Similarly, it is useful to highlight that vitamin D is opposed to the actions of the renin-angiotensin system, which has a determining role in the pathophysiology of the inflammatory response by COVID-19. Finally, the purpose of this review is to call for reflection and to discuss the suggestion to implement vitamin D for preventive/therapeutic purposes in groups at risk or infected with COVID-19. This proposal could be extended to the entire community as a preventive measure. Also, our objective points to the debate and critical reflection of health professionals and health policymakers in a way that contributes to the development of consistent clinical designs to evaluate the possible benefits of using high doses of vitamin D for the benefit of public health in pandemic time.