Can melatonin reduce the severity of post-COVID-19 syndrome?

This short review aimed at (i) providing an update on the health benefits associated with melatonin supplementation, while (ii) considering future potential research directions concerning melatonin supplementation use relative to Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). A narrative review of the literature was undertaken to ascertain the effect of exogenous melatonin administration on humans. Night-time melatonin administration has a positive impact on human physiology and mental health. Indeed, melatonin (i) modulates the circadian components of the sleep-wake cycle; (ii) improves sleep efficiency and mood status; (iii) improves insulin sensitivity; and (iv) reduces inflammatory markers and oxidative stress. Melatonin has also remarkable neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects and may therefore prevent deterioration caused by COVID-19. We suggest that melatonin could be used as a potential therapy in the post-COVID-19 syndrome, and therefore call for action the research community to investigate on the potential use of exogenous melatonin to enhance the quality of life in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome. See also Figure 1(Fig. 1).

Effect of creatine supplementation on kidney stones recurrence in an athlete: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies examined the effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation on renal function, but no previous study has investigated its effects on kidney stones in humans. OBSERVATION: A renal ultrasound in a healthy young athlete (without a known renal morphological anomaly, normal kidney function, normal phospholipid and uric acid data) revealed a kidney stone of 11 mm in the lower right calyx. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy was applied in order to break the down stone. Twentyone days later, a follow-up renal ultrasound showed the absence of stones in the kidney. One week later, the athlete started creatine monohydrate supplementation for two months. Fourteen months after stopping creatine monohydrate supplementation, a third renal ultrasound confirmed the absence of stones in the kidney. CONCLUSION: Two months of creatine monohydrate supplementation in an athlete with a history of kidney stones could not be associated with kidney stone recurrence in the long run.

The COVID-19 pandemic and physical activity during intermittent fasting, is it safe? A call for action.

Intermittent fasting (IF) has recently gained popularity, and has been used for centuries in many religious practices. The Ramadan fasting is a mandatory form of IF practiced by millions of healthy adult Muslims globally for a whole lunar month every year. In Islam, the "Sunna" also encourages Muslims to practice IF all along the year (e.g.; two days a week). The 2019-Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the context of Ramadan has raised the question whether fasting is safe practice during the COVID-19 pandemic health crisis, and what would be the healthy lifestyle behaviors while fasting that would minimize the risk of infection. As COVID-19 lacks a specific therapy, IF and physical activity could help promote human immunity and be part of holistic preventive strategy against COVID-19. In this commentary, the authors focus on this dilemma and provide recommendations to the fasting communities for safely practicing physical activity in time of COVID-19 pandemic.