Turkish scientists reveal reasons for severe course of COVID

Scientists at the Turkish Medical University in Ankara have named the reasons for the severe course of COVID in patients, Report informs.

The results of the study were published on the medRxiv portal.

Experts concluded that due to the coronavirus, the content of vitamin A in the body is sharply reduced.

They pointed out that acute forms of COVID bear similarities with the consequences of chronic deficiency of this vitamin.

For the study, they took blood samples from a group of healthy people and from a group of patients at a university hospital who were in critical condition with coronavirus infection in the intensive care unit.

As a result of the analysis, scientists have found that the group of patients has a low concentration of retinol, even those who took vitamin A or medications that interfere with its excretion of the body.

The scientists explained the decrease in the level of vitamin A by the fact that the body actively uses it for the synthesis of interferon - particular antiviral protein molecules. Proteins bind to SARS-CoV-2, preventing it from multiplying.

Earlier, a team of scientists from the Netherlands and Belgium named a vitamin, a deficiency of which could lead to the sudden death of patients with COVID.

Experts warned that a lack of vitamin K could lead to severe coronavirus and sudden death. Due to its lack, the vessel walls become vulnerable to damage, and the risk of thrombosis also increases.