Possible treatment and prophylaxis of

“Corona virus infection”

by a novel vitamin D-dimer: ImmunoD® 

 

Priv.- Doz. Dr. Ralf HERWIG – Austria

Dr. Necip Cem KINACI – Turkey

 

Strong evidence exists that vitamin D has a potential anti-microbial activity and its deficiency has deleterious effects on general well-being and longevity (1,2).

 

Vitamin D reduces the risk of infection through multiple mechanisms:

Vitamin D boosts innate immunity by modulating production of anti-microbial peptides (AMPs) and cytokine response.

 

B and T cell activation by vitamin D as well as boosting the activity of monocytes and macrophages also contribute to a potent systemic anti-microbial effect (1,3).

 

The direct invasion by pathogenic organisms may be minimized at sites, such as the respiratory tract (4), by enhancing clearance of invading organisms. A vitamin D replete state appears to benefit most infections, with the possible noteworthy exception of Leishmaniasis. Vitamin D constitutes an prophylactic option and possibly therapeutic product either by itself or as a synergistic agent to traditional anti-microbial agents (1).

 

The biologically most active form of vitamin (1,25-D) acts as an immune system modulator (5). Nearly all cells and tissues of the human body, including B and T lymphocytes (both resting and activated), monocytes (6) and dendritic cells (5) express the high-affinity nuclear receptor for 1,25-D, the transcription factor vitamin D receptor (VDR). Vitamin D deficiency impairs significantly regulatory T-cells (7). Vitamin D exerts its immunomodulatory activity on both mononuclear and polynuclear cell lines through its effects on the VDR (8). Vitamin D is most potent in the activation of mononuclear cells, such as monocytes and macrophages (8,9)}. Circulating vitamin D levels have a direct influence on macrophages, increase their “oxidative burst” potential (maturation and production of cytokines, acid phosphatase and hydrogen peroxide) (10,11), and prevent excessive expression of inflammatory cytokines. Vitamin D also facilitates neutrophil motility and phagocytic function (12).

 

After the outbreaks of H1N1 influenza in 2009, Edlich et al. (13) strongly recommended that all health care workers and patients be tested and treated for vitamin D deficiency to prevent exacerbation of respiratory infections. Vitamin D also reduces the production of proinflammatory cytokines, which may reduce the risk of cytokine storm in H1N1 infection (14).

 

Furthermore, Carlberg et al. defined a Vitamin D low responder Group, witch accounts to about 25% of all individuals throughout a population. This low responder group is higher vulnerable to infections than high responders {Carlberg and Haq, 2018, #50177}.

 

Unfortunately, urgent supplementation to achieve this prophylactic and therapeutic effect of Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D) is complicated due to its lipophilic structure.

 

We invented a water soluble transport form of Vitamin D by forming a dimer with a special genotype of recombinant dgVDBP (a vitamin D transport protein) called IL-42 (patent No: AT 521556 not published yet), that is available under the label ImmunoD®  from HG Pharma, Vienna, Austria as producer/supplier and Dim-Support, Sofia, Bulgaria as local distributor.

 

This form with an immediate impact on the Vitamin D level in serum has shown no side effects, even in high doses and neither as oral or iv.-application form, in animals (15) and humans (16,17).

 

Furthermore, investigations demonstrated a significant improvement in macrophage function (6) and preliminary data from clinical courses of infectious diseases like influenza, HIV and Borna virus infections.

 

Therefore, we strongly recommend the immediate exploration of possible positive effects on Corona virus infections with this “side effect free” newly developed substance.

 

Literature

 

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