Search Results (41)

Background: The advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has marked a significant milestone in the therapeutic landscape of hepatitis C, greatly improving treatment efficacy. A therapeutic regimen encompassing sofosbuvir (SOF), velpatasvir (VEL), and voxilaprevir (VOX) has demonstrated strong efficacy across all genotypes of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and has recently been incorporated into the Korean healthcare system. This study aimed to evaluate the real-world efficacy and safety of these antivirals in the South Korean population. Methods: This prospective, multicenter, observational study enrolled patients with chronic HCV treated with SOF/VEL-based regimens at six hospitals between November 2022 and January 2024. DAA-naïve patients received SOF/VEL ± ribavirin for 12 weeks. Patients who had failed prior DAA therapy received SOF/VEL/VOX for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was a sustained virological response at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12). Results: Among 101 patients treated with SOF/VEL, the mean age was 64.71 years, and 40.9% were male. Genotypes 1b and 2 were identified in 40.6% and 59.4% of patients, respectively. Two patients had a history of interferon-based treatment. The mean baseline HCV RNA level was 3,088,097 IU/mL. Cirrhosis was observed in 26.7% of patients (21.8% compensated; 5.0% decompensated). Of the 101 patients, 12 were lost to follow-up. Among the 89 patients who completed follow-up, SVR12 was achieved in 100.0% (89/89), including 5 patients with decompensated cirrhosis. In the SOF/VEL/VOX group, 17 patients were treated. The mean age was 61.84 years, 29.4% were male, and four had compensated cirrhosis. One patient was lost to follow-up. SVR12 was achieved in 100.0% (16/16) of the patients who completed follow-up. No serious adverse events (≥grade 3) were reported in either group during the DAA treatment period. Conclusions: In this first prospective real-world study in South Korea, SOF/VEL-based regimens demonstrated excellent efficacy and safety, achieving 100% SVR12 in the per-protocol population, including patients with cirrhosis and prior treatment failure. Full article

Background/Objectives: Epidemiological data on vitamin D status revealed that, despite various dosage and durations of supplementation, the effectiveness often fails to achieve optimal outcomes. The need for higher doses than previously recommended was suggested, but several modifying factors should be considered, including the level of deficiency, and BMI. The objectives of this post hoc evaluation are to characterize treatment effectiveness based on the applied dose, duration and BMI; and to assess the safety aspects associated with rapid repletion of vitamin D. Methods: Vitamin D deficient subjects selected in the post-hoc analysis: seventy patients included from a combined loading-maintenance supplementation (300,000 IU followed by 60,000 IU) protocol and 62 deficient subjects who received a low-dose maintenance (1000 IU/day) therapy. The risk of overload and the incidence of hypercalciuria and hypercalcemia resulting from loading or post-loading maintenance were investigated. Results: The moderate–fast-loading schedule of 60,000 IU per week for 5 weeks, effectively achieves the target in 25(OH)D levels over 30 ng/mL for all deficient subjects, regardless of their BMI. Slower loading with lower weekly doses confirms the safety of supplementation, but the effectiveness is dependent on the subjects’ BMI; overweight and obese patients require higher doses to reach the same vitamin D levels. No difference in safety parameters observed compared to low-dose therapies. Conclusions: The loading treatment involving a total dose of 300,000 IU administered over 5 or 10 weeks is effective for repletion, does not lead to 25(OH)D overload, and poses no additional risks of hypercalcemia or hypercalciuria. Furthermore, there are no safety concerns regarding changes in bone resorption markers. A combination of the loading treatment with a subsequent maintenance dose of 2000 IU daily is adequate to achieve the target vitamin D levels. Full article

Background: Male patients with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) have impaired postnatal activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis that occurs during mini-puberty. The aim of this study was to report our experience using gonadotropin replacement therapy for mini-puberty in male infants with CHH and to establish treatment recommendations. Methods: The patients included in this retrospective case series (n = 9) were diagnosed in the postnatal period due to micropenis, with two being accompanied by cryptorchidism and four with other associated hormonal deficits. All patients started treatment with gonadotropins early after diagnosis, between 2 weeks and 5 months of age, with a schedule of discontinuous injections with subcutaneous human chorionic gonadotropin (62.5–500 IU) two times per week and recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone-alpha (37.5–75 IU) three times per week. Results: The data from our study show an early response, ranging from almost undetectable levels of testosterone at diagnosis to elevated levels after starting treatment, as well as a positive clinical response with increases in testicular volume and penis size in all cases without requiring complementary treatment with testosterone esters and without adverse effects. Conclusions: Our results show that gonadotropin replacement therapy is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for testicular and penile problems in male patients with CHH. Full article

Daily vitamin D supplementation using higher than normal dosing (up to the upper limit value) and intermittent (once or twice per week) dosing were studied in patients with increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. Using a PubMed database, a thorough search for published randomized controlled trials and other studies was conducted, and the results were analyzed. This review provides an overview of the use of 7000 IU daily, 30,000 IU per week or twice weekly, and 50,000 IU weekly of vitamin D for obtaining and maintaining 25(OH)D concentrations of at least 30 ng/mL in patients at high risk of vitamin D deficiency. The abovementioned dosages should be considered in adults with obesity, liver disease or malabsorption syndromes, or multi-diseased patients, mainly seniors requiring multi-drug treatment, including drugs affecting vitamin D metabolism. The simple schedules of 7000 IU/day, 30,000 IU/week or twice weekly, and 50,000 IU/week for use by patients with an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency were provided for consideration. Without monitoring of 25(OH)D, daily doses of 7000 IU or intermittent doses of 30,000 IU/week should be considered for a prolonged time as prophylactic or maintenance doses, mainly in obese patients, patients with liver disease and patients with malabsorption syndromes. For the treatment of possible vitamin D deficiency without assessment of 25(OH)D in these groups, intermittent doses of 30,000 IU twice weekly or 50,000 IU per week should be considered for a 6–8-week period only. The higher daily doses or the intermittent doses suggested above are effective, safe and responsive based on patient’s preferences. Full article

This study aimed to investigate whether a dietary 25-OHD₃ addition improved the performance, egg quality, blood indexes, antioxidant status, jejunal morphology, and tibia quality of aged laying hens compared to a dietary VD₃ addition. A total of 270 Hy-Line Brown laying hens at 55 wk of age were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments with six replicates (15 birds per replicate with 3 birds per cage). Chickens were fed a corn–soybean meal diet supplementation of 4000 IU/kg VD₃ (control group), 50 μg/kg 25-OHD₃ and 2000 IU/kg VD₃ (experimental group 1), or 50 μg/kg 25-OHD₃ and 4000 IU/kg VD₃ (experimental group 2) for 12 weeks. The results demonstrated that 25-OHD₃ caused a significant increase in the laying rate, especially in the 50 μg/kg 25-OHD₃ + 2000 IU/kg VD₃ group; the laying rate reached the maximum compared with other groups after 12 weeks (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant effects on the average egg weight, average daily feed intake, or feed-to-egg ratio (p > 0.05). A dietary supplementation of 50 μg/kg 25-OHD₃ and 2000 IU/kg VD₃ provided an improved eggshell strength, thick albumen height, and Haugh unit after 12 weeks (p < 0.05). Further analysis of the blood indexes showed that alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, and phosphorus were enhanced significantly in the 50 μg/kg 25-OHD₃ + 2000 IU/kg VD₃ group, while the content of total bilirubin decreased significantly (p < 0.05). In addition, the 25-OHD₃ addition in diets improved the calcium and phosphorus contents in the serum (p < 0.05). The concentrations of 25-OHD₃, parathyroid hormones, follicle-stimulating hormone, and progesterone were increased in the 50 μg/kg 25-OHD₃ + 2000 IU/kg VD₃ group, and the levels of cortisol, calcitonin, bone gla protein, and endotoxin in the serum reached a minimum in the 50 μg/kg 25-OHD₃ + 4000 IU/kg VD₃ group (p < 0.05), which constitutes an advantage for the aged laying hens. The antioxidant enzyme activities and free radical scavenging abilities in the 50 μg/kg 25-OHD₃ + 2000 IU/kg VD₃ group increased markedly, and the MDA level decreased significantly in the 50 μg/kg 25-OHD₃ + 4000 IU/kg VD₃ group (p < 0.05). Improvements in jejunal morphology and intestinal integrity resulted in an increased villi-length-to-crypt-depth ratio in the 50 μg/kg 25-OHD₃ + 2000 IU/kg VD₃ group (p < 0.05). Dietary 50 μg/kg 25-OHD₃ and 2000 IU/kg VD₃ additions improved the tibia quality, including fresh tibia weight, strength, mineral content (Ca), and trabeculae area (p < 0.05). Taken together, compared with the dietary VD₃ addition, dietary supplementation of 25-OHD₃ supported a stable physiological status for sustained egg production, egg quality, and bone quality in late-phase laying hens, and the addition levels of 50 μg/kg 25-OHD₃ and 2000 IU/kg VD₃ had the best effect. Therefore, this could provide a theoretical basis for the use of 25-OHD₃ as a substitute forVD₃. Full article

Background and Aims: Treatment with siRNAs that target HBV has demonstrated robust declines in HBV antigens. This effect is also observed in the AAV-HBV mouse model, which was used to investigate if two cycles of GalNAc-HBV-siRNA treatment could induce deeper declines in HBsAg levels or prevent rebound, and to provide insights into the liver immune microenvironment. Methods: C57Bl/6 mice were transduced with one of two different titers of AAV-HBV for 28 days, resulting in stable levels of HBsAg of about 10³ or 10⁵ IU/mL. Mice were treated for 12 weeks (four doses q3wk) per cycle with 3 mg/kg of siRNA-targeting HBV or an irrelevant sequence either once (single treatment) or twice (retreatment) with an 8-week treatment pause in between. Blood was collected to evaluate viral parameters. Nine weeks after the last treatment, liver samples were collected to perform phenotyping, bulk RNA-sequencing, and immunohistochemistry. Results: Independent of HBsAg baseline levels, treatment with HBV-siRNA induced a rapid decline in HBsAg levels, which then plateaued before gradually rebounding 12 weeks after treatment stopped. A second cycle of HBV-siRNA treatment induced a further decline in HBsAg levels in serum and the liver, reaching undetectable levels and preventing rebound when baseline levels were 10³ IU/mL. This was accompanied with a significant increase in inflammatory macrophages in the liver and significant upregulation of regulatory T-cells and T-cells expressing immune checkpoint receptors. Conclusions: Retreatment induced an additional decline in HBsAg levels, reaching undetectable levels when baseline HBsAg levels were 3log₁₀ or less. This correlated with T-cell activation and upregulation of Trem2. Full article

A central role for vitamin D (VD) in immune modulation has recently been recognized linking VD insufficiency to autoimmune disorders that commonly exhibit sex-associated differences. Similar to other autoimmune diseases, there is a higher incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in women, but a poorer prognosis in men, often characterized by a more rapid progression. Although sex hormones are most likely involved, this phenomenon is still poorly understood. Oxidative stress, modulated by VD serum levels as well as sex hormones, may act as a contributing factor to demyelination and axonal damage in both MS and the corresponding preclinical models. In this study, we analyzed sex-associated differences and VD effects utilizing an animal model that recapitulates histopathological features of the progressive MS phase (PMS). In contrast to relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS), PMS has been poorly investigated in this context. Male (n = 50) and female (n = 46) Dark Agouti rats received either VD (400 IU per week; VD⁺) or standard rodent food without extra VD (VD⁻) from weaning onwards. Myelination, microglial activation, apoptotic cell death and neuronal viability were assessed using immunohistochemical markers in brain tissue. Additionally, we also used two different histological markers against oxidized lipids along with colorimetric methods to measure protective polyphenols (PP) and total antioxidative capacity (TAC) in serum. Neurofilament light chain serum levels (sNfL) were analyzed using single-molecule array (SIMOA) analysis. We found significant differences between female and male animals. Female rats exhibited a better TAC and higher amounts of PP. Additionally, females showed higher myelin preservation, lower microglial activation and better neuronal survival while showing more apoptotic cells than male rats. We even found a delay in reaching the peak of the disease in females. Overall, both sexes benefitted from VD supplementation, represented by significantly less cortical, neuroaxonal and oxidative damage. Unexpectedly, male rats had an even higher overall benefit, most likely due to differences in oxidative capacity and defense systems. Full article

Background: findings from the previously conducted studies indicate altered regulatory mechanisms of calcium and vitamin D metabolism in obese patients and a role for bariatric surgery in regulating vitamin D metabolism; however, the available data is controversial and does not provide an adequate understanding of the subject. Methods: we evaluated serum parameters of vitamin D and mineral metabolism (vitamin D metabolites (25(OH)D₃, 25(OH)D₂, 1,25(OH)₂D₃, 3-epi-25(OH)D₃, and 24,25(OH)₂D₃), vitamin D-binding protein (DBP), free 25(OH)D, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23), parathyroid hormone (PTH), total calcium, albumin, phosphorus, creatinine, magnesium) in 30 patients referred for bariatric surgery in comparison with 30 healthy volunteers of similar age, sex and baseline 25(OH)D₃. Patients were also followed up with repeated laboratory assessments 3 months and 6 months after surgery. During the first 3 months, patients were prescribed high-dose cholecalciferol therapy (50,000 IU per week), with subsequent correction based on the results of the 3-month visit examination. Results: Preoperatively, patients with morbid obesity were characterized by a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (median 25(OH)D₃ level 11.9 (6.8; 22.2) ng/mL), significantly lower levels of active vitamin D metabolite 1,25(OH)₂D₃ (20 (10; 37) vs. 39 (33; 50) pg/mL, p < 0.001), lower serum albumin-adjusted calcium levels (2.24 (2.20; 2.32) vs. 2.31 (2.25; 2.35) mmol/L, p = 0.009) and magnesium levels (0.79 (0.72; 0.82) vs. 0.82 (0.78; 0.85) mmol/L, p = 0.043) with simultaneous similar PTH levels (p = 0.912), and higher DBP levels (328 (288; 401) vs. 248 (217; 284) mg/L, p < 0.001). The 25(OH)D₃ levels remained suboptimal (24.5 (14.7; 29.5) ng/mL at the 3-month visit and 17.9 (12.4; 21.0) ng/mL at the 6-month visit, p = 0.052) despite recommended high-dose cholecalciferol supplementation. Patients also demonstrated an increase in 1,25(OH)₂D₃ levels (38 (31; 52) pg/mL at the 3-month visit and 49 (29; 59) pg/mL at the 6-month visit, p < 0.001) without a change in PTH or calcium levels during the follow-up. Conclusion: our results of a comprehensive laboratory evaluation of vitamin D status and mineral metabolism in patients undergoing bariatric surgery highlight the importance of improving current clinical guidelines, as well as careful monitoring and education of patients. Full article

Background: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is a common neurosensory manifestation in long COVID. An effective and safe treatment against COVID-19-related OD is needed. Methods: This pilot trial recruited long COVID patients with persistent OD. Participants were randomly assigned to receive short-course (14 days) oral vitamin A (VitA; 25,000 IU per day) and aerosolised diffuser olfactory training (OT) thrice daily (combination), OT alone (standard care), or observation (control) for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was differences in olfactory function by butanol threshold tests (BTT) between baseline and end-of-treatment. Secondary outcomes included smell identification tests (SIT), structural MRI brain, and serial seed-based functional connectivity (FC) analyses in the olfactory cortical network by resting-state functional MRI (rs–fMRI). Results: A total of 24 participants were randomly assigned to receive either combination treatment (n = 10), standard care (n = 9), or control (n = 5). Median OD duration was 157 days (IQR 127–175). Mean baseline BTT score was 2.3 (SD 1.1). At end-of-treatment, mean BTT scores were significantly higher for the combination group than control (p < 0.001, MD = 4.4, 95% CI 1.7 to 7.2) and standard care (p = 0.009) groups. Interval SIT scores increased significantly (p = 0.009) in the combination group. rs–fMRI showed significantly higher FC in the combination group when compared to other groups. At end-of-treatment, positive correlations were found in the increased FC at left inferior frontal gyrus and clinically significant improvements in measured BTT (r = 0.858, p < 0.001) and SIT (r = 0.548, p = 0.042) scores for the combination group. Conclusions: Short-course oral VitA and aerosolised diffuser OT was effective as a combination treatment for persistent OD in long COVID. Full article

Background: Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with dry eye development during Sjögren’s syndrome (SS). Here, we investigated whether repeated oral vitamin D3 supplementation could prevent the corneal epithelium damage in an SS mouse model. Methods: 30 female mouse knock-out for the thrombospondin 1 gene were randomized (six per group) in untreated mice euthanized at 6 weeks as negative control (C−) or at 12 weeks as the positive control for dry eye (C+). Other mice were sacrificed after 6 weeks of oral vitamin D3 supplementation in the drinking water (1000, 8000, and 20,000 IU/kg/week, respectively). Results: The C+ mice showed alterations in their corneal epithelial morphologies and thicknesses (p < 0.01 vs. C−), while the mice receiving 8000 (M) and 20,000 (H) IU/kg/week of vitamin D3 showed preservation of the corneal epithelium morphology and thickness (p < 0.01 vs. C+). Moreover, while the C+ mice exhibited high levels and activity of corneal tumor necrosis factor alpha converting enzyme (TACE), neovascularization and fibrosis markers; these were all reduced in the M and H mice. Conclusions: Oral vitamin D3 supplementation appeared to counteract the negative effect of TACE on corneal epithelium in a mouse model of SS-associated dry eye. Full article

This experiment was conducted to explore the effect of long-term supplementation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25-OHD) as a vitamin D₃ (VD₃) substitute on performance, bone traits, and egg quality of laying hens from 1 day to 72 weeks of age. In total, 900 one-day-old Lohman pullets were randomly allotted into three dietary groups (three treatments × 15 replicates × 20 birds per replicate): VD₃ 2800 IU/kg; 25-OHD 69 μg/kg; 25-OHD 125 μg/kg. At the end of the 20th w, five replicates from each group were selected to feed on the same vitamin D diets, as used during the rearing stage (1–20 w) until 72 w. The result showed that the 25-OHD 125 μg/kg treatment had the lowest average daily feed intake (ADFI) at 1–8 or 1–19 w, body weight at 8 w, body weight gain between 1 and 8 w and shank length at 4 w (p < 0.05). The 25-OHD 125 μg/kg treatment had a lower shank length at 7 w, compared with the 25-OHD 69 μg/kg treatment. The shank length of the birds in each treatment reached the maximum (about 103 mm) at about 18 w of age. For the bone traits, the 25-OHD 125 μg/kg treatment had the lowest femur bone diameter at 20 w (p < 0.001) and femur bone plumpness at 20 w (p = 0.002). The 25-OHD 125 μg/kg treatment had a lower tibia strength at 10 w (p = 0.023) and keel length at 10 w (p = 0.046), compared with the 25-OHD 69 μg/kg treatment. However, both 25-OHD 69 and 125 μg/kg treatments had a greater femur strength at 72 w (p = 0.006), compared with the VD₃ 2800 IU/kg treatment. No difference in laying performance was observed among all treatments. The overall (21–72 w) ADFI in the 25-OHD 125 μg/kg treatment was significantly lower than that in the 25-OHD 69 μg/kg treatment (p = 0.030). At 60 w, the 25-OHD 125 μg/kg treatment had a lower eggshell thickness (p = 0.012) and proportion of eggshell (p = 0.022), compared with the 25-OHD 69 μg/kg treatment. No significant differences in egg quality parameters were observed at 50 and 70 w among treatments. In general, supplementary 2800 IU/kg doses of VD₃ at the early stage were sufficient to maintain the bone quality and growth and development of pullets. Feeding birds at a higher 25-OHD level (125 μg/kg) resulted in the reduced ADFI and growth at the rearing period, but the long-term supplementation of 25-OHD as a VD₃ substitute improved the bone quality in the late laying period. Full article

Vitamin D₃ (VD₃) is a sunshine hormone that regulates cellular proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis related to liver parenchyma. We used a thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic fibrosis rat model in our study to investigate the beneficial roles of VD₃ to overcome extensive liver fibrosis. Randomly, four equal groups (eight rats per group) underwent therapy for eight successive weeks: a control group, a group treated with TAA 100 mg/kg BW IP every other day, a group treated with VD₃ 1000 IU/kg BW IM every day, and a TAA+VD group treated with both therapies. Treatment with VD₃ after TAA-induced hepatic fibrosis was found to alleviate elevated liver function measures by decreasing ALT, AST, and ALP activity; decreasing total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels; and increasing glucose and 25[OH]D₃. Rats treated with VD₃ showed marked decreases in MDA and increased SOD, CAT, and GSH levels. In addition, CD34 and FGF23 gene expressions were reduced after dual therapy. Liver sections from the TAA+VD group showed markedly decreased hepatic lesions, and Masson’s trichrome stain showed a marked decrease in dense bluish-stained fibrous tissue. The immunohistochemical expression of TGF-β and α-SMA showed markedly decreased positive brown cytoplasmic expression in a few hepatocytes, clarifying the antifibrotic effect of VD₃ in hepatic fibrosis. In conclusion, VD₃ alleviates hepatotoxicity and fibrosis caused by TAA. Full article

Purpose: To prospectively investigate the effects of treatment with liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) analog, on reproductive and sexual function in men with metabolic hypogonadism who are of childbearing age. Materials and Methods: To accomplish this purpose, 110 men of childbearing age (18–35 years) with metabolic hypogonadism were enrolled and divided into three groups, according to their desire to have children. Group A was made up of men actively seeking fatherhood, Group B, of men who did not seek fatherhood, and Group C, of men who had already fathered a child. Group A patients were treated with gonadotropins (urofollitropin at 150 IU, three times a week, and human chorionic gonadotropin at 2000 IU, twice a week), Group B patients with liraglutide (3 mg daily), and Group C patients with transdermal testosterone (60 mg per day). All patients were treated for 4 months. Results: Patients treated with liraglutide (Group B) showed significant improvement in conventional sperm parameters, compared to baseline and Group A patients, and in the quality of erectile function compared to baseline and patients of Groups A and C. In addition, they had significantly higher levels of total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin serum levels after 4 months of treatment with liraglutide than those achieved by patients in the other two groups at the end of the respective treatments. Finally, Group B patients also showed significantly higher serum gonadotropin levels than the other groups. Conclusions: The results of this study showed, for the first time, the efficacy of liraglutide, a GLP1 analog, for the pharmacological treatment of male patients with metabolic hypogonadism. Liraglutide has also shown advantages over traditional treatments on both reproductive and sexual function and appears to offer greater benefits in terms of metabolic protection. These findings suggest that liraglutide is a useful drug for the treatment of obese males with metabolic hypogonadism. Full article

β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB), a leucine metabolite, can increase skeletal muscle size and function. However, HMB may be less effective at improving muscle function in people with insufficient Vitamin D₃ (25-OH-D < 30 ng/mL) which is common in middle-aged and older adults. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that combining HMB plus Vitamin D₃ (HMB + D) supplementation would improve skeletal muscle size, composition, and function in middle-aged women. In a double-blinded fashion, women (53 ± 1 yrs, 26 ± 1 kg/m², n = 43) were randomized to take placebo or HMB + D (3 g Calcium HMB + 2000 IU D per day) during 12 weeks of sedentary behavior (SED) or resistance exercise training (RET). On average, participants entered the study Vitamin D₃ insufficient while HMB + D increased 25-OH-D to sufficient levels after 8 and 12 weeks. In SED, HMB + D prevented the loss of arm lean mass observed with placebo. HMB + D increased muscle volume and decreased intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) volume in the thigh compared to placebo but did not change muscle function. In RET, 12-weeks of HMB + D decreased IMAT compared to placebo but did not influence the increase in skeletal muscle volume or function. In summary, HMB + D decreased IMAT independent of exercise status and may prevent the loss or increase muscle size in a small cohort of sedentary middle-aged women. These results lend support to conduct a longer duration study with greater sample size to determine the validity of the observed positive effects of HMB + D on IMAT and skeletal muscle in a small cohort of middle-aged women. Full article

Retrospective studies showed a relationship between vitamin D status and COVID-19 severity and mortality, with an inverse relation between SARS-CoV-2 positivity and circulating calcifediol levels. The objective of this pilot study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the length of hospital stay and clinical improvement in patients with vitamin D deficiency hospitalized with COVID-19. The study was randomized, double blind and placebo controlled. A total of 50 subjects were enrolled and received, in addition to the best available COVID therapy, either vitamin D (25,000 IU per day over 4 consecutive days, followed by 25,000 IU per week up to 6 weeks) or placebo. The length of hospital stay decreased significantly in the vitamin D group compared to the placebo group (4 days vs. 8 days; p = 0.003). At Day 7, a significantly lower percentage of patients were still hospitalized in the vitamin D group compared to the placebo group (19% vs. 54%; p = 0.0161), and none of the patients treated with vitamin D were hospitalized after 21 days compared to 14% of the patients treated with placebo. Vitamin D significantly reduced the duration of supplemental oxygen among the patients who needed it (4 days vs. 7 days in the placebo group; p = 0.012) and significantly improved the clinical recovery of the patients, as assessed by the WHO scale (p = 0.0048). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the clinical outcome of COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization was improved by administration of vitamin D. Full article