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Dharmshaktu P, Saha S, Kar P, Sreenivas V, Ramakrishnan L, Goswami R. Absence of vitamin D deficiency among common outdoor workers in Delhi. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2019; 91:356-362. [PMID: 31087795 DOI: 10.1111/cen.14012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is reservation about accepting the notion of widespread vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in sunny countries because information base is largely urban indoors, and the cut-off serum 25(OH)D > 75.0 nmol/L to define sufficiency is perceived as high. OBJECTIVE We assessed the vitamin D status of subjects engaged in six types of outdoor jobs with freedom to seek shade, when needed. DESIGN Descriptive observational study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A total of 573 outdoors, (hawkers, n = 144; auto-rickshaw drivers, n = 113; manual rickshaw pullers, n = 49; fuel-station attendants, n = 84; gardeners, n = 96; traffic police personnel, n = 87) were assessed for serum 25(OH)D, iPTH and total calcium during summer and winter. Bank employees were indoor controls (n = 72). Serum 25(OH)D was defined as sufficient if ≥50.0 nmol/L and deficient when <30.0 nmol/L, as per 'Institute of Medicine'. RESULTS Mean serum 25(OH)D of 573 outdoors was 44.8 ± 19.6 nmol/L and showed a physiological inverse relation with iPTH (P < 0.001). 77.5% of the outdoors did not have VDD. Hawkers, gardeners, fuel-station attendants and rickshaw pullers had sufficient or near sufficient serum 25(OH)D. The mean serum 25(OH)D (30.6 ± 23.2 nmol/L) of indoors though lower by 12.7 nmol/L than outdoors was above the cut-off of VDD. Proportions with supranormal iPTH were comparable between outdoors and indoors (14.0% vs 20.8%). Despite winter dip, the mean serum 25(OH)D (31.2 ± 14.3 nmol/l) of outdoors was not deficient. CONCLUSIONS Vitamin D deficiency is not universal. Most urban outdoor workers do not have VDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pramila Dharmshaktu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Soma Saha
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Parmita Kar
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Lakshmy Ramakrishnan
- Department of Cardiac Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Ravinder Goswami
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Passeron T, Bouillon R, Callender V, Cestari T, Diepgen TL, Green AC, van der Pols JC, Bernard BA, Ly F, Bernerd F, Marrot L, Nielsen M, Verschoore M, Jablonski NG, Young AR. Sunscreen photoprotection and vitamin D status. Br J Dermatol 2019; 181:916-931. [PMID: 31069788 PMCID: PMC6899926 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.17992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Global concern about vitamin D deficiency has fuelled debates on photoprotection and the importance of solar exposure to meet vitamin D requirements. Objectives To review the published evidence to reach a consensus on the influence of photoprotection by sunscreens on vitamin D status, considering other relevant factors. Methods An international panel of 13 experts in endocrinology, dermatology, photobiology, epidemiology and biological anthropology reviewed the literature prior to a 1‐day meeting in June 2017, during which the evidence was discussed. Methods of assessment and determining factors of vitamin D status, and public health perspectives were examined and consequences of sun exposure and the effects of photoprotection were assessed. Results A serum level of ≥ 50 nmol L−1 25(OH)D is a target for all individuals. Broad‐spectrum sunscreens that prevent erythema are unlikely to compromise vitamin D status in healthy populations. Vitamin D screening should be restricted to those at risk of hypovitaminosis, such as patients with photosensitivity disorders, who require rigorous photoprotection. Screening and supplementation are advised for this group. Conclusions Sunscreen use for daily and recreational photoprotection does not compromise vitamin D synthesis, even when applied under optimal conditions. What's already known about this topic? Knowledge of the relationship between solar exposure behaviour, sunscreen use and vitamin D is important for public health but there is confusion about optimal vitamin D status and the safest way to achieve this. Practical recommendations on the potential impact of daily and/or recreational sunscreens on vitamin D status are lacking for healthy people.
What does this study add? Judicious use of daily broad‐spectrum sunscreens with high ultraviolet (UV) A protection will not compromise vitamin D status in healthy people. However, photoprotection strategies for patients with photosensitivity disorders that include high sun‐protection factor sunscreens with high UVA protection, along with protective clothing and shade‐seeking behaviour are likely to compromise vitamin D status. Screening for vitamin D status and supplementation are recommended in patients with photosensitivity disorders.
Linked Comment: https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.18126. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.18494 available online
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Affiliation(s)
- T Passeron
- Department of Dermatology, CHU Nice, Université Côte d'Azur, CHU Nice, 151, route de Ginestière, 06200, Nice, France.,C3M, INSERM U1065 Université Côte d'Azur, 151, route de Ginestière, 06200, Nice, France
| | - R Bouillon
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing, KU Leuven, Gasthuisberg, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - V Callender
- Callender Dermatology & Cosmetic Center, 12200 Annapolis Road, Suite 315, Glenn Dale, MD, 20769, U.S.A
| | - T Cestari
- Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Ramiro Barcellos 2350 zone 13, Porto Alegre, RS, 90035-903, Brazil
| | - T L Diepgen
- Department of Clinical Social Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Voßstr. 2, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - A C Green
- Cancer and Population Studies Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia.,CRUK Manchester Institute and Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, M13 9NQ, U.K
| | - J C van der Pols
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4059, Australia
| | - B A Bernard
- L'Oréal R&I, Scientific Directorate, 9 rue Pierre Dreyfus, 92110, Clichy, France
| | - F Ly
- Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar, BP 5825, Dakar, Senegal
| | - F Bernerd
- L'Oréal R&I, 1 Avenue Eugène Schueller, 93600, Aulnay-sous-bois, France
| | - L Marrot
- L'Oréal R&I, 1 Avenue Eugène Schueller, 93600, Aulnay-sous-bois, France
| | - M Nielsen
- L'Oréal R&I, Scientific Directorate, 9 rue Pierre Dreyfus, 92110, Clichy, France
| | - M Verschoore
- L'Oréal R&I, Scientific Directorate, 9 rue Pierre Dreyfus, 92110, Clichy, France
| | - N G Jablonski
- Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, 409 Carpenter Building, University Park, PA, 16802, U.S.A
| | - A R Young
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, U.K
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Sowah D, Fan X, Dennett L, Hagtvedt R, Straube S. Vitamin D levels and deficiency with different occupations: a systematic review. BMC Public Health 2017. [PMID: 28637448 PMCID: PMC5480134 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-017-4436-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent worldwide, but some groups are at greater risk. We aim to evaluate vitamin D levels in different occupations and identify groups vulnerable to vitamin D deficiency. Methods An electronic search conducted in Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and CINAHL Plus with Full Text generated 2505 hits; 71 peer-reviewed articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Occupations investigated included outdoor and indoor workers, shiftworkers, lead/smelter workers, coalminers, and healthcare professionals. We calculated the pooled average metabolite level as mean ± SD; deficiency/insufficiency status was described as % of the total number of subjects in a given category. Results Compared to outdoor workers, indoor workers had lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-(OH)D) levels (40.6 ± 13.3 vs. 66.7 ± 16.7 nmol/L; p < 0.0001). Mean 25-(OH)D levels (in nmol/L) in shiftworkers, lead/smelter workers and coalminers were 33.8 ± 10.0, 77.8 ± 5.4 and 56.6 ± 28.4, respectively. Vitamin D deficiency (25-(OH)D < 50 nmol/L), was high in shiftworkers (80%) and indoor workers (78%) compared to outdoor workers (48%). Among healthcare professionals, medical residents and healthcare students had the lowest levels of mean 25-(OH)D, 44.0 ± 8.3 nmol/L and 45.2 ± 5.5 nmol/L, respectively. The mean 25-(OH)D level of practising physicians, 55.0 ± 5.8 nmol/L, was significantly different from both medical residents (p < 0.0001) and healthcare students (p < 0.0001). Nurses and other healthcare employees had 25-(OH)D levels of 63.4 ± 4.2 nmol/L and 63.0 ± 11.0 nmol/L, respectively, which differed significantly compared to practising physicians (p = 0.01), medical residents (p < 0.0001) and healthcare students (p < 0.0001). Rates of vitamin D deficiency among healthcare professionals were: healthcare students 72%, medical residents 65%, practising physicians 46%, other healthcare employees 44%, and nurses 43%. Combined rates of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency (25-(OH)D < 75 nmol/L) were very high in all investigated groups. Potential confounders such as gender and body composition were not consistently reported in the primary studies and were therefore not analyzed. Furthermore, the descriptions of occupational characteristics may be incomplete. These are limitations of our systematic review. Conclusions Our review demonstrates that shiftworkers, healthcare workers and indoor workers are at high risk to develop vitamin D deficiency, which may reflect key lifestyle differences (e.g. sunlight exposure). This may help target health promotion and preventive efforts. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4436-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sowah
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, 5-30 University Terrace, 8303-112 Street, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2T4, Canada
| | - Xiangning Fan
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, 5-30 University Terrace, 8303-112 Street, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2T4, Canada
| | - Liz Dennett
- JW Scott Health Sciences Library, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Reidar Hagtvedt
- Department of Accounting, Operations and Information Systems, School of Business, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Sebastian Straube
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, 5-30 University Terrace, 8303-112 Street, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2T4, Canada.
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Pierrot-Deseilligny C, Souberbielle JC. Vitamin D and multiple sclerosis: An update. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2017; 14:35-45. [PMID: 28619429 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2017.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The most recent findings linking exposure to sun and vitamin D insufficiency to multiple sclerosis (MS) are reviewed. Due to insufficient sunshine and changing lifestyles, hypovitaminosis D is widespread in temperate countries. Numerous epidemiological studies have strongly suggested that sunshine and vitamin D insufficiency contributes to MS risk in these countries. Moreover, several large genetic studies in MS patients have recently stated unequivocally that diverse abnormalities involving vitamin D metabolism are related to the risk of the disease. The important implications of such results are discussed here. Then, the interactions of hypovitaminosis D with the other genetic and environmental protective and risk factors, such as the allele HLA DRB1*1501, Epstein-Barr virus infection, obesity, smoking and sexual hormones, are summarized. Vitamin D insufficiency and sufficiency could be a risk and a protective factor, respectively, among many other factors possibly continuously modulating the global MS risk from the mother's pregnancy to the triggering of MS in adulthood. However, many interactions between these different factors occur more particularly between conception and the end of adolescence, which corresponds to the period of maturation of the immune system and thymus and may be related to the dysimmune nature of the disease. The main mechanisms of action of vitamin D in MS appear to be immunomodulatory, involving the various categories of T and B lymphocytes in the general immune system, but neuroprotector and neurotrophic mechanisms could also be exerted at the central nervous system level. Furthermore, several controlled immunological studies performed in MS patients have recently confirmed that vitamin D supplementation has multiple beneficial immunomodulatory effects. However, there is still an enduring absence of major conclusive randomized clinical trials testing vitamin D supplementation in MS patients because of the quasi-insurmountable practical difficulties that exist nowadays in conducting and completing over several years such studies involving the use of a vitamin. Nevertheless, it should be noted that similar robust statistical models used in five different association studies have already predicted a favorable vitamin D effect reducing relapses by 50-70%. If there is now little doubt that vitamin D exerts a beneficial action on the inflammatory component of MS, the results are as yet much less clear for the progressive degenerative component. Lastly, until more information becomes available, vitamin D supplementation of MS patients, using a moderate physiological dose essentially correcting their vitamin insufficiency, is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Pierrot-Deseilligny
- Département de Neurologie, Hôpital de la Salpêtrière, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI), 47 bd de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France.
| | - Jean-Claude Souberbielle
- Service d'explorations fonctionnelles, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Université René Descartes (Paris V),149 rue de Sèvres, 75915 Paris, France.
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Goswami R, Saha S, Sreenivas V, Singh N, Lakshmy R. Vitamin D-binding protein, vitamin D status and serum bioavailable 25(OH)D of young Asian Indian males working in outdoor and indoor environments. J Bone Miner Metab 2017; 35:177-184. [PMID: 26832389 DOI: 10.1007/s00774-016-0739-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 01/17/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Urban Asian Indians generally have low serum 25(OH)D. Information on serum bioavailable 25(OH)D and the effect of prolonged sun-exposure in them is not known. We assessed serum 25(OH)D and bioavailable 25(OH)D in males with varying durations of sun-exposure in Delhi during August-September. Serum 25(OH)D, vitamin D-binding protein (DBP), bioavailable 25(OH)D, free 25(OH)D index, iPTH, ionized calcium and sun-index were assessed in outdoor, mixed outdoor-indoor and indoor workers (n = 88, 32 and 74, respectively). The mean sun-index (12.0 ± 6.25, 4.3 ± 2.20 and 0.7 ± 0.62, respectively; P < 0.001) was highest outdoors and lowest indoors. Serum 25(OH)D (29.0 ± 8.61, 19.1 ± 5.73 and 10.9 ± 4.19 ng/ml, respectively; P < 0.001), bioavailable 25(OH)D and free 25(OH)D index were maximum in outdoor workers followed by mixed-exposure and indoor workers. Their mean serum DBP levels (241.2 ± 88.77, 239.3 ± 83.40 and 216.6 ± 63.93 µg/ml, respectively; P = 0.12) were comparable. Mean serum iPTH was significantly lower in outdoor than indoor workers and showed inverse correlations with serum 25(OH)D, bioavailable 25(OH)D and free 25(OH)D index (r = -0.401, -0.269 and -0.236, respectively; P < 0.001 in all). Daily dietary-calorie intake was higher and calcium lower in outdoor than indoor workers. On regression analysis, sun-exposure was the only significant variable, increasing serum 25(OH)D by 2.03 ng/ml per hour of sun-exposure (95 % confidence interval 1.77-2.28; P < 0.001). Outdoor workers with prolonged sun-exposure were vitamin D-sufficient, with higher serum bioavailable 25(OH)D than the indoor workers during summer. Use of serum DBP levels did not affect the interpretation of their vitamin D status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravinder Goswami
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India.
| | - Soma Saha
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Vishnubhatla Sreenivas
- Department of Biostatistics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Namrata Singh
- Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Ramakrishnan Lakshmy
- Department of Cardiac Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
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Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency is common among patients with Crohn's disease. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) is the best measure of an individual's vitamin D status and current cut-off ranges for sufficiency are debatable. Several factors contribute to vitamin D deficiency in Crohn's disease. These include inadequate exposure to sunlight, inadequate dietary intake, impaired conversion of vitamin D to its active metabolite, increased catabolism, increased excretion and genetic variants in vitamin D hydroxylation and transport. The effects of low 25(OH)D on outcomes other than bone health are understudied in Crohn's disease. The aim of the present review is to discuss the potential roles of vitamin D and the possible levels required to achieve them. Emerging evidence suggests that vitamin D may have roles in innate and adaptive immunity, in the immune-pathogenesis of Crohn's disease, prevention of Crohn's disease-related hospitalisations and surgery, in reducing disease severity and in colon cancer prevention. The present literature appears to suggest that 25(OH)D concentrations of ≥75 nmol/l may be required for non-skeletal effects; however, further research on optimal levels is required.
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Richter K, Breitner S, Webb AR, Huth C, Thorand B, Kift R, Linseisen J, Schuh A, Kratzsch J, Mielck A, Weidinger S, Peters A, Schneider A. Influence of external, intrinsic and individual behaviour variables on serum 25(OH)D in a German survey. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY 2014; 140:120-9. [PMID: 25116947 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2014.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Revised: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to identify external, intrinsic or behavioural factors that significantly influenced serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations in a German survey. Data from 3061 participants in the Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg, Germany (KORA) F4 survey were used to relate potential determinants to measured mean serum 25(OH)D concentrations using multivariable regression models. The factors significantly associated with hypovitaminosis D (defined as 25(OH)D<25 nmolL(-1)) were season (winter, spring and autumn), urban environment and high body mass index. In contrast, times spent in sunny regions, hours per day spent outdoors in the summer as well as additional oral intake were associated with higher 25(OH)D concentrations. These results suggest that mainly ambient UV exposure but also individual behaviour are the most important determinants for personal 25(OH)D concentrations. The analyses further showed that in winter 43% of subjects were vitamin D deficient and 42% insufficient. Even in summer over half the population has insufficient vitamin D status with 8% deficient and 47% insufficient. Therefore measures to mitigate widespread vitamin D insufficiency such as regular short-term sun exposure and/or improved dietary intake/supplementation recommendations by public health bodies need to be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Richter
- Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Susanne Breitner
- Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Ann R Webb
- School of Earth Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Cornelia Huth
- Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Barbara Thorand
- Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Richard Kift
- School of Earth Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Jakob Linseisen
- Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Angela Schuh
- Public Health and Health Services Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany
| | - Jürgen Kratzsch
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andreas Mielck
- Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Weidinger
- Department of Dermatology, Allergology, and Venereology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Annette Peters
- Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Alexandra Schneider
- Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
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Pierrot-Deseilligny C, Souberbielle JC. Contribution of vitamin D insufficiency to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2013; 6:81-116. [PMID: 23483715 PMCID: PMC3582312 DOI: 10.1177/1756285612473513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The contribution of vitamin D insufficiency to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is reviewed. Among the multiple recently discovered actions of vitamin D, an immunomodulatory role has been documented in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and in humans. This action in the peripheral immune system is currently the main known mechanism through which vitamin D might influence MS, but other types of actions could be involved within the central nervous system. Furthermore, vitamin D insufficiency is widespread in temperate countries and in patients with MS at the earliest stages of the disease, suggesting that the deleterious effects related to vitamin D insufficiency may be exerted in these patients. In fact, many genetic and environmental risk factors appear to interact and contribute to MS. In genetics, several human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles (more particularly HLA-DRB1*1501) could favour the disease whereas some others could be protective. Some of the genes involved in vitamin D metabolism (e.g. CYP27B1) also play a significant role. Furthermore, three environmental risk factors have been identified: past Epstein-Barr virus infection, vitamin D insufficiency and cigarette smoking. Interactions between genetic and environmental risk or protective factors may occur during the mother's pregnancy and could continue during childhood and adolescence and until the disease is triggered in adulthood, therefore possibly modulating the MS risk throughout the first decades of life. Furthermore, some clinical findings already strongly suggest that vitamin D status influences the relapse rate and radiological lesions in patients with MS, although the results of adequately powered randomized clinical trials using vitamin D supplementation have not yet been reported. While awaiting these incontrovertible results, which might be long in coming, patients with MS who are currently in vitamin D insufficiency should be supplemented, at least for their general health status, using moderate doses of the vitamin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Pierrot-Deseilligny
- Service de Neurologie 1, Hôpital de la Salpêtrière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI), Paris, France
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