Abstract
The new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an emerging situation with high rates of morbidity and mortality, in the pathophysiology of which inflammation and thrombosis are implicated. The disease is directly connected to the nutritional status of patients and a well-balanced diet is recommended by official sources. Recently, the role of platelet activating factor (PAF) was suggested in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. In the present review several micronutrients (vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D, selenium, omega-3 fatty acids, and minerals), phytochemicals and Mediterranean diet compounds with potential anti-COVID activity are presented. We further underline that the well-known anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic actions of the investigated nutrients and/or holistic dietary schemes, such as the Mediterranean diet, are also mediated through PAF. In conclusion, there is no single food to prevent coronavirus Although the relationship between PAF and COVID-19 is not robust, a healthy diet containing PAF inhibitors may target both inflammation and thrombosis and prevent the deleterious effects of COVID-19. The next step is the experimental confirmation or not of the PAF-COVID-19 hypothesis.
Highlights
The new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an emerging situation with high rates of infectivity, morbidity and mortality [1]
A key molecule implicated in COVID-19 pathology is platelet activating factor (PAF), as recently highlighted by our group [2,13]
PAF is catabolized by PAF acetylhydrolase or lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) [15]
Summary
The new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an emerging situation with high rates of infectivity, morbidity and mortality [1]. Oxidized phospholipids, which contain PAF and PAF-like lipids [22,23] have been detected in the respiratory system of patients with SARS-CoV-1 and seem to increase cytokine production and lung injury via Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 [24]. Another similarity between the phenotypic manifestations of COVID-19 and PAF actions is that they are both connected to Kawasaki-like disease in children [25].
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