Is diet partly responsible for differences in COVID-19 death rates between and within countries?

Correction: Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Article Number: 44 DOI: 10.1186/s13601-020-00351-w Published: OCT 26 2020Reported COVID-19 deaths in Germany are relatively low as compared to many European countries. Among the several explanations proposed, an early and large testing of the population was put forward. Most current debates on COVID-19 focus on the differences among countries, but little attention has been given to regional differences and diet. The low-death rate European countries (e.g. Austria, Baltic States, Czech Republic, Finland, Norway, Poland, Slovakia) have used different quarantine and/or confinement times and methods and none have performed as many early tests as Germany. Among other factors that may be significant are the dietary habits. It seems that some foods largely used in these countries may reduce angiotensin-converting enzyme activity or are anti-oxidants. Among the many possible areas of research, it might be important to understand diet and angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) levels in populations with different COVID-19 death rates since dietary interventions may be of great benefit.Peer reviewe

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity

Grasses, olive, parietaria and cypress in Athens: Pollen sampling from 1995 to 1999

The airborne pollens can produce asthma and rhinoconjuctivitis (pollinosis). Since geographic and climatic factors influence the quality and quantity of pollen counts in various countries and between seasons, the aim of the study was to record major seasonal allergenic pollens; grasses, olive, parietaria and cypress in Athens during five consecutive seasons throughout the years 1995-1999. The daily pollen count was carried out every year from March to October using a Burcard volumetric weekly spore trap, which was placed about 20 m from the ground, in Athens city centre. Daily values were expressed as number of pollen grains/m3 of air. The mean monthly values of pollens/m3 were used to compare the results of the consecutive years. Recording of the major pollen allergens in Athens area for five consecutive years led to the assessment of the pollination period for each of these plants and confirmed the variations in the amount of pollen per plant per year

Treatment response to omalizumab in patients with refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria

Background: Previous clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of the anti-IgE monoclonal antibody omalizumab in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) not responding to antihistamine treatment. The primary aim of our study was to describe the response patterns of patients with refractory CSU treated with omalizumab in a real-world clinical setting. Methods: A retrospective analysis of medical records of 20 patients with refractory CSU was performed. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory features were retrieved and analyzed in correlation with treatment data. Results: Mean age of our patient population was 54.5 years, while the majority were females (15/20 cases, 75%). Mean disease duration prior to omalizumab administration was 21.8 months. All patients had a history of chronic urticaria, refractory to high antihistamine and corticosteroid treatment, and responded favorably to omalizumab after administration of 1–5 doses of omalizumab; complete response was observed in 17/20 patients (85%) and well-controlled disease in the remaining 3/20 patients (15%). In a subset of cases (6/20, 30%), best response to omalizumab was achieved after interval administration of a 9-day course of methylprednisolone (total dose of 188 mg). Late response to omalizumab (after three-month treatment) was significantly correlated (P = 0.026) with shorter disease duration before initiation of omalizumab. Conclusion: In the present series, omalizumab, either alone or in combination with a short-term course of corticosteroids, was highly effective in resolution of refractory CSU. Furthermore, disease duration prior to omalizumab had a significant effect on timing of response. © 2018 The International Society of Dermatolog

Allergy-test-driven elimination diet is useful in children with eosinophilic esophagitis, regardless of the severity of symptoms

Background: A combination of PPIs and corticosteroids is the pharmacotherapy mostly used to treat eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), while dietetic manipulations consist also an efficient option. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of allergy-test-driven elimination diet in children with mild symptoms of EoE to a group of children with moderate/severe symptoms. Methods: Thirty-five children, aged 7 months to 12 yr, with EoE were enrolled in the study. They had a clinical history of GERD-like (21 children, Group A) or more severe symptoms (14 children, Group B). The diagnosis had been confirmed after two preliminary months of therapy with PPIs and an esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Soon after diagnosis, they were allergy-tested, using IgE detection (SPT and serum-specific IgE) and atopy patch tests (APTs). A 12-month tailor-made diet was prescribed according to the tests. Patients of Group B continued PPIs for two more months, while swallowed topical steroids were also prescribed to them for the first 5 months after diagnosis, followed by an 'as-needed' use of them for the rest of the study. Endoscopy was repeated at the end of the study. Results: Milk and egg were the most common APT-positive allergens. Thirty-two patients were instructed to follow an elimination diet, which was completed by 15/18 of Group A and 12/14 of Group B. An improvement of symptoms was reported by 26/27 patients that completed the study. The use of swallowed corticosteroids was noticeably decreased during the as-needed period, in Group B. A remarkable reduce of eosinophils was noticed in biopsies; from 42.84 ± 18.08, they decreased to 6.41 ± 3.20, a year after. Conclusion: All children with EoE and mild symptoms had resolution of symptoms and normal eosinophils in the esophageal mucosa a year after an allergy-driven elimination diet. Patients with moderate/severe EoE symptoms had the same improvement, indicating that an elimination diet is an efficient complementary treatment to corticosteroids. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd