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Exploring Micronutrient Dynamics in COVID-19 Severity and Mortality: Unraveling the Roles of Vitamin D, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium and ALP

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Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of understanding the intricate relationship between micronutrient levels and disease outcomes. This study explores the impact of Vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) on COVID-19 severity and mortality. The study involves 200 participants (100 COVID-19 patients, 100 controls), we meticulously analyzed micronutrient dynamics. Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and ALP was measured spectrophotometrically. Vitamin D was measured using Chemiluminescent method. The study reveals that diminished levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and with elevated ALP, are significantly associated with COVID-19 cases. Whereas the Vitamin D levels in severe group was increased when compared to mild cases but decreased than control group. Disease severity correlated with declining calcium (r = − 0.35, p < 0.01), phosphorus (r = − 0.26, p < 0.05), and magnesium (r = − 0.21, p < 0.05), and increased ALP (r = 0.42, p < 0.001). Post-discharge, calcium (p < 0.05) and phosphorus (p < 0.01) showed positive trends, while ALP (p < 0.001) decreased. Notably, calcium (OR = 0.63, p < 0.05) and ALP (OR = 1.87, p < 0.001) emerged as significant predictors of disease severity. The findings not only illuminate potential therapeutic avenues but also emphasize the need to optimize nutrient levels, including magnesium, for COVID-19 prevention and management. Given the complexities of these relationships, further rigorous exploration, including well-designed trials and understanding underlying mechanisms, is imperative to unravel the dynamics of these nutrient interactions in the context of COVID-19.

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Funding

This research has received support from an intramural project grant provided by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jodhpur.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, India

    PVSN Kiran Kumar

  2. Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Basni, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342005, India

    Pradeep Japa, Sojit Tomo, Shrimanjunath Sankanagoudar, Purvi Purohit, Praveen Sharma & Dharamveer Yadav

  3. Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India

    Jayakaran Charan

  4. Department of Pathology & Lab Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India

    Abhishek Purohit

  5. Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India

    Vijaya Lakshmi Nag

  6. Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India

    Pradeep Kumar Bhatia

  7. Department of Paediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India

    Kuldeep Singh

  8. Department of Pulmonary Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India

    Naveen Dutt

  9. Department of General Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India

    Mahendra Kumar Garg

  10. Department of Surgical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, India

    Sanjeev Misra

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  1. PVSN Kiran Kumar
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  15. Dharamveer Yadav
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Contributions

Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were expertly handled by PVSN KK, PJ, ST, DY, PP and SS. The initial draft of the manuscript was crafted by PVSN KK, DY, and PP, with insightful comments and revisions from all authors. The final manuscript was reviewed and approved by all contributors.

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Correspondence to Dharamveer Yadav.

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This study was conducted in strict adherence to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval for the study was obtained from the institutional ethics committee.

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Kumar, P.K., Japa, P., Tomo, S. et al. Exploring Micronutrient Dynamics in COVID-19 Severity and Mortality: Unraveling the Roles of Vitamin D, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium and ALP. Ind J Clin Biochem (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-024-01225-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-024-01225-9

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