Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Vitamin D Receptor Gene (VDR) May Have an Impact on Acute Pancreatitis (AP) Development: A Prospective Study in Populations of AP Patients and Alcohol-Abuse Controls

VDR Gene Polymorphisms (BsmI, FokI, TaqI, ApaI) in Total Hip Arthroplasty Outcome Patients

A total hip arthroplasty (THA) can improve quality of life, but loosening of the hip prosthesis is a complex problem in which vitamin D may also play a role. The Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) is involved in the response of cells to the action of vitamin D, and its genetic variability raises the question of whether individual differences could influence the risk of prosthesis loosening. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between VDR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (ApaI, BsmI, FokI and TaqI) and the serum VDR and 25(OH)D levels in three groups of patients: (1) arthroscopy patients after THA without loosening of the prosthesis (CA-Control Arthroplasty), (2) patients after THA with loosened hip prostheses (L-Loosening) and (3) the control group (C-Control). Our results suggest that the genotypes tt of TaqI, BB of BsmI, and FF of FokI may influence the VDR effect in patients with loosened protheses. Our results showed that the ACAC haplotype (AtBF) was over two times more frequent in the L group than in CA + C: OR =2.35 [95% CI 1.44-3.83; p = 0.001]. There was no significant correlation between the VDR and serum 25(OH)D levels, but there were differences between studied groups.

Impact of body mass index elevation, Vitamin D receptor polymorphisms and antipsychotics on the risk of Vitamin D deficiency in schizophrenia patients

Antipsychotics with weight gain as side effect and vitamin D receptor dysfunction associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms (VDR SNPs) may have different effects on vitamin D status. Hence, present study aimed to investigate the relationship between vitamin D with body mass index (BMI), antipsychotics and VDR SNPs (rs2228570, rs1544410, rs7975232 and rs731236) in Malaysian patients with schizophrenia. Serum vitamin D level was measured using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. VDR SNPs were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. We found significantly lower serum vitamin D level in patients with schizophrenia (p < 0.01), especially those taking atypical antipsychotics (p = 0.02) and combined antipsychotics (p = 0.02) and obese (BMI ≥27.5 kg/m2) patients (p = 0.04) after adjustment for covariates. For VDR SNPs, the CT genotype of rs1544410, CA genotype of rs7975232, and AA and AG genotypes of rs731236 may contribute to the significant decreased serum vitamin D level in patients (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, these relationships may differ by populations or medical conditions. The hypotheses of volumetric dilution and sequestration of vitamin D may explain the lower vitamin D level in obese patients. In addition, lifestyle factors such as poor diet and lack of physical activity with less sunlight exposure may cause reduced vitamin D level among patients. As patients in present study were prescribed with various antipsychotics, the effect of each antipsychotic on vitamin D level could not be determined. Thus, future studies should investigate the effect of different types of antipsychotics and obesity on vitamin D level in schizophrenia.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, vitamin D receptor, and vitamin D binding protein concentrations in dogs with acute pancreatitis compared to healthy control dogs

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have documented vitamin D imbalance in dogs with acute pancreatitis (AP), but no studies have investigated serum vitamin D receptor (VDR) and vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) concentrations.

OBJECTIVES

Compare serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), VDR, and VDBP concentrations in healthy dogs and dogs with AP and identify correlations between these concentrations with ionized calcium, C-reactive protein (CRP), and canine-specific pancreatic lipase (Spec cPL) concentrations.

ANIMALS

Twenty-two dogs with AP and 20 healthy control dogs.

METHODS

Prospective cross-sectional study. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured using a chemiluminescence immunoassay, and VDR and VDBP concentrations were measured using a ELISA kit designed for dogs.

RESULTS

Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D were lower in dogs with AP (mean ± SD, 66.1 ± 39.2 ng/mL) than in controls (96.8 ± 30.4 ng/mL; P = .01), and VDR concentrations were lower in dogs with AP (5.3 ± 3.5 ng/mL) than in controls (7.4 ± 2.5 ng/mL; P = .03). No difference was observed in serum VDBP concentrations between the groups. Serum VDR concentrations differed between survivors (median [interquartile range] = 6.6 [4.3-8.2] ng/mL) and nonsurvivors (2.7 [0.5-3.5] ng/mL; P = .01). Negative correlations were observed among serum VDR, CRP (rs  = -0.55), and Spec cPL (rs  = -0.47) concentrations in dogs with AP.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Dogs with AP had lower serum 25(OH)D and VDR concentrations than controls. Additionally, our study suggests a potential role of VDR expression in the inflammatory process of AP in dogs.

Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) Genetic Variants: Relationship of FokI Genotypes with VDR Expression and Clinical Disease Activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Vitamin D (VD) deficiency is more frequent in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients than in control subjects (CS); genetic variants in the VD receptor (VDR) could contribute to the clinical disease activity. This study was aimed to determine the association of the VDR variants FokI (rs2228570), BsmI (rs1544410), ApaI (rs7975232), and TaqI (rs731236) with susceptibility to the disease, VD status, VDR mRNA expression, and clinical disease activity in SLE patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 194 SLE and 196 CS Mexican women. Immunoassays quantified serum calcidiol and calcitriol. Genotyping was performed by allelic discrimination assays and mRNA VDR expression by qPCR. The FokI variant was not in linkage disequilibrium with BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI VDR variants. SLE patient carriers of the TT FokI genotype showed higher clinical disease activity scores. Notably, the mRNA VDR expression was higher in SLE patients vs. CS, in active vs. inactive SLE patients, and in participants of both study groups with vitamin D deficiency, higher calcitriol levels, and TT FokI genotype carriers. In conclusion, the TT FokI VDR genotype was related to high VDR expression and clinical disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism and vitamin D supplementation on clinical/ treatment outcome in tuberculosis: current and future perspectives

INTRODUCTION

Tuberculosis (TB) is a transnational public health concern, which requires more precise treatment strategies than the existing approaches. Vitamin D modulates the inflammatory and immune response to the disease. Robust evidence shows that vitamin D deficiency and its receptor gene polymorphism influence the susceptibility to TB and the outcome of the anti-tubercular treatment (ATT). However, in the different populations, these findings were inconsistent and even contradictory.

AREAS COVERED

The current review focuses on the association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism with the risk of development of TB disease and response to the ATT. Additionally, it reviews various systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the impact of vitamin D supplements on both clinical and treatment outcomes in TB patients.

EXPERT OPINION

Although the majority of the findings rule out the benefits of the supplementation, sufficient evidence is available to warrant larger epidemiological research that should be aimed to generate possible interaction among the VDR polymorphism, vitamin D status, and the outcome in TB. We conclude that establishing such an association in different ethnic populations will help design nutrigenomics- or pharmacogenomics-based vitamin D supplementation to develop a personalized medicine approach to flatten the curve of TB disease.

Vitamin D and Pancreatitis: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence

Emerging research indicates that vitamin D metabolic disorder plays a major role in both acute pancreatitis (AP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP). This has been demonstrated by studies showing that vitamin D deficiency is associated with pancreatitis and its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects by binding with the vitamin D receptor (VDR). However, the role of vitamin D assessment and its management in pancreatitis remains poorly understood. In this narrative review, we discuss the recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in vitamin D/VDR signaling in pancreatic cells; the evidence from observational studies and clinical trials that demonstrate the connection among vitamin D, pancreatitis and pancreatitis-related complications; and the route of administration of vitamin D supplementation in clinical practice. Although further research is still required to establish the protective role of vitamin D and its application in disease, evaluation of vitamin D levels and its supplementation should be important strategies for pancreatitis management according to currently available evidence.

To the Question of Vitamin D Network in Type 1 Diabetes and Diabetic Nephropathy in Children Nursed in Ukrainian Endocrinology Unit

Background

Vitamin D deficiency is a great problem worldwide. Vitamin D plays an essential role in calcium and bone metabolism. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a dangerous kidney-related complication of type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Aim of the study

To evaluate levels of Vitamin D3 in pediatric patients with T1D and DN; to study the dependence between the Vitamin D level and main clinical and laboratory parameters of the disease, that is, duration, complications episodes, albuminuria levels, glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Material and methods

A survey of 72 children with T1D and DN aged 3–17 years was done. Complex examination including conventional methods (physical examination, blood pressure measurement, blood tests, study of urinary sediment, renal ultrasound, etc.) was done for all patients. Data was processed using GraphPad Prism 9.0 Software for Windows (USA, San Diego, CA). p-values <.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

Majority of patients from T1D group have normal value of Vitamin D, only 27.7% of children have Vitamin D insufficiency. In contrast, in children from DN group only 16.7% of children have Vitamin D insufficiency and 83.3% have Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D serum level negatively correlates with disease duration and albuminuria level in the group with DN. Serum levels of Vitamin D positively correlate with GFR in patients with T1D. Patients with DN who had a duration of T1D for 10 years and more have a higher progression rate to Vitamin D deficiency as compared to those who have a T1D duration of less than 10 years.

Conclusions

The authors conclude that Vitamin D has a direct relationship with functional disorders with DN, that is, albuminuria, GFR, kidney function. Further investigations of Vitamin D supplementation on different stages of the ND development and progression are needed.

The Effect of ACTN3 and VDR Polymorphisms on Skeletal Muscle Performance in Axial Spondyloarthropathies

Background

Spondyloarthritis (SpA) are the most common group of chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases affecting about 1.5% of the adult Caucasian population. Low back pain is the most common symptom. The aetiopathogenesis of SpA is multifactorial, with well-known genetic and environmental contributions. Furthermore, muscle properties might also be involved in the pathophysiological process and these could be modulated by the genetic background. Alpha-actinin-3 (ACTN3) and Vitamin D receptor (VDR) genes are well-known genes related with muscle performance. Our aim was to analyze four SNPs of these genes and to evaluate their influence in axial SpA (axSpA) susceptibility, phenotype and muscle properties.

Methods

We performed a pilot study based on case-control approach involving 56 participants: 28 axSpA patients and 28 healthy controls matched by age, gender and levels of physical activity. Clinical, epidemiological and muscle characterization data—muscle physical properties (stiffness, tone, and elasticity), strength, mass, and performance, were collected. Two different muscles were considered for analysis, the Multifidus and Gastrocnemius. Four SNPs of ACTN3 (rs1815739) and VDR (rs2228570, rs731236, and rs7975232), were selected, analyzed and correlated with clinical, epidemiological and muscle characterization data.

Results

In total, 51 individuals (27 axSpA patients and 24 matched controls) were eligible for further genetic analysis, 66.7% being male and with a mean age of 36 years. Muscle physical properties, muscle strength and muscle mass were similar in both groups; however, axSpA patients showed a decrease in muscle performance. None of the studied SNPs were associated with disease susceptibility/phenotype, muscle physical properties, muscle strength or muscle mass. However, ACTN3 rs1815739 and VDR rs2228570 were shown to be associated with muscle performance.

Conclusion

Our results suggest an association between ACTN3 and VDR polymorphisms and muscle performance in axSpA.

Association between vitamin D receptor polymorphisms and acute pancreatitis: A protocol for systematic review and meta analysis

BACKGROUND

Several studies have been performed to investigate the association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism and acute pancreatitis, but the results are inconclusive. We conducted this meta-analysis for a precise estimation of the association between BsmI (rs1544410), ApaI (rs7975232), TaqI (rs731236), and FokI (rs2228570) polymorphisms and acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

Appropriate studies were retrieved by searching Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar databases, until January 31, 2021. Two reviewers independently conducted data extraction and literature quality evaluation. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to evaluate the strength of the association.All of the data were analyzed with Stata 16.0.

RESULTS

The results of this meta-analysis will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis will summarize the association between BsmI, ApaI, TaqI, and FokI polymorphisms and the risk of acute pancreatitis.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval was not required for this study. The systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, presented at conferences, and shared on social media platforms.

OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER

DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/83W7R.

Putative role of vitamin D in the mechanism of alcoholism and other addictions - a hypothesis

OBJECTIVE

Vitamin D deficiency may be a clinical problem in patients with addictions. The authors systematically searched for studies addressing vitamin D and addiction and develop a hypothesis which can direct future research of the possible mechanistic role of vitamin D in the process of addiction.

METHODS

Systematic review of the literature found in PubMed and EMBASE followed by narrative review combined with clinical experiences leading to hypotheses for future research.

RESULTS

Only five articles were identified about a role of vitamin D in the pathophysiology of addiction. Their results are in line with a possible influence of vitamin D in dopaminergic transmission. The cerebral vitamin D status depends on the functionality of genetic variants of vitamin D receptor and other involved genes. Routine serum calcidiol levels may not adequately reflect cerebral vitamin D status. Uncertainty exists regarding appropriate calcidiol blood levels and proper dosages for affecting the central nervous system (CNS).

CONCLUSIONS

The putative pathophysiological role of vitamin D in substance abuse has been insufficiently studied which calls to more studies how to measure cerebral vitamin D status in clinical practice. Research is indicated whether vitamin D supplementation should use higher dosages and aim to reach higher calcidiol serum levels. Measuring dopaminergic functioning within the prefrontal cortex as reflected by neuropsychological tests selected as suitable could be a appropriate proxy for the cerebral vitamin D status when studying the pharmacogenomics of this functionality in patients.

Impact of the etiology and Vitamin D receptor TaqI rs731236 gene polymorphism on the severity of acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

This work aimed to assess the impact of different etiologies of acute pancreatitis (AP) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) TaqI rs731236 gene polymorphism on the severity of AP.

METHODS

This case-control study included 70 patients with AP and 40 healthy controls. Etiologies of AP were identified by imaging, ANA, cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgM, coxsackie B virus IgM, and IgG4. Genotyping of VDR TaqI rs731236 polymorphism, Laboratory tests and severity scores using Ranson, BISAP, Atlanta and APACHE II scores were determined.

RESULTS

The age in AP patients was 36.03 ± 10.76, and females were 85.7%. The etiologies of AP were as follows: biliary (51.4%), coxsackievirus (22.9%), autoimmune (14.3%), post-ERCP (8.6%) and 2.9% were idiopathic. The TT genotype of VDR polymorphism was significantly more common in AP than control (P = .001) and allele T dominated in AP group (OR = 2; 95% CI: 0.665-5.64). Most cases showed low severity scores with significant differences among etiologies and VDR genotypes. Biliary pancreatitis showed highest percentages of severe AP. However, etiologies and VDR polymorphism were not predictors of severity.

CONCLUSION

Etiology of AP could have impact on the disease severity. VDR gene polymorphism increases the risk of AP. Neither the etiology nor VDR gene polymorphism could predict AP severity.

Effects of Vitamin D Receptor, Metallothionein 1A, and 2A Gene Polymorphisms on Toxicity of the Peripheral Nervous System in Chronically Lead-Exposed Workers

Chronic exposure to lead is neurotoxic to the human peripheral sensory system. Variant vitamin D receptor (VDR) genes and polymorphisms of metallothioneins (MTs) are associated with different outcomes following lead toxicity. However, no evidence of a relationship between lead neurotoxicity and polymorphisms has previously been presented. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the polymorphisms of VDR, MT1A, and MT2A genes and lead toxicity following chronic occupational lead exposure. We measured vibration perception thresholds (VPT) and current perception thresholds (CPT) in 181 workers annually for five years. The outcome variables were correlated to the subject's index of long-term lead exposure. Polymorphisms of VDR, MT1A, and MT2A were defined. The potential confounders, including age, sex, height, smoking, alcohol consumption, and working life span, were also collected and analyzed using linear regression. The regression coefficients of some gene polymorphisms were at least 20 times larger than regression coefficients of time-weighted index of cumulative blood lead (TWICL) measures. All regression coefficients of TWICL increased slightly. MT1A rs11640851 (AA/CC) was associated with a statistically significant difference in all neurological outcomes except hand and foot VPT. MT1A rs8052394 was associated with statistically significant differences in hand and foot CPT 2000 Hz. In MT2A rs10636, those with the C allele showed a greater effect on hand CPT than those with the G allele. Among the VDR gene polymorphisms, the Apa rs7975232 (CC/AA) single nucleotide polymorphism was associated with the greatest difference in hand CPT. MT2A rs28366003 appeared to have a neural protective effect, whereas Apa (rs7975232) of VDR and MT2A rs10636 increased the neurotoxicity as measured by CPT in the hands. MT1A rs8052394 had a protective effect on large myelinated nerves. MT1A rs11640851 was associated with susceptibility to neurotoxicity.

Tanshinone IIA Protects against Acute Pancreatitis in Mice by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress via the Nrf2/ROS Pathway

Background

Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge) and its main active component Tanshinone IIA (TSA) are clinically used in China. However, the effects of TSA on acute pancreatitis (AP) and its potential mechanism have not been investigated. In this study, our objective was to investigate the protective effects of TSA against AP via three classic mouse models.

Methods

Mouse models of AP were established by caerulein, sodium taurocholate, and L-arginine, separately. Pancreatic and pulmonary histopathological characteristics and serum amylase and lipase levels were evaluated, and changes in oxidative stress injury and the ultrastructure of acinar cells were observed. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibitor N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) knockout mice were applied to clarify the protective mechanism of the drug.

Results

In the caerulein-induced AP model, TSA administration reduced serum amylase and lipase levels and ameliorated the histopathological manifestations of AP in pancreatic tissue. Additionally, TSA appreciably decreased ROS release, protected the structures of mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum, and increased the protein expression of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase 1 of pancreatic tissue. In addition, the protective effects of TSA against AP were counteracted by blocking the oxidative stress (NAC administration and Nrf2 knockout in mice). Furthermore, we found that TSA protects pancreatic tissue from damage and pancreatitis-associated lung injury in two additional mouse models induced by sodium taurocholate and by L-arginine.

Conclusion

Our data confirmed the protective effects of TSA against AP in mice by inhibiting oxidative stress via the Nrf2/ROS pathway.

Association Between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Vitamin D Receptor and Incidence of Dry Eye Disease in Chinese Han Population

Background

Dry eye disease (DED) is a chronic dysfunction of the ocular surface and has become an important public problem. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism has been found to be associated with different kinds of diseases. The relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the VDR gene should be studied.

Material/Methods

In the present case-control study, we investigated the association of VDR gene polymorphism with DED risk. Clinical data including age, gender, body mass index (BMI, kg/m²), smoking history, diabetes, and blood pressure were recorded. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D) was chosen as the main parameter that reflected the level of vitamin D. We identified SNPs of VDR gene Apa-1, Bsm-1, Fok-1, and Taq-1 in both DED cases and healthy controls.

Results

A total of 124 DED cases and 135 healthy controls were included in this study. It was reported that aa in Apa-1 (OR=2.803, 95% CI, 1.350–5.820) and tt in Taq-1 (OR=0.362, 95% CI, 0.141–0.930) were associated with increased the risk of DED. Analysis of the allele frequencies of VDR gene polymorphisms among DED patients and healthy controls showed that allele differences in Apa-1 were significantly associated with higher risk.

Conclusions

SNPs of VDR gene (Apa-1 and Taq-1) were associated with the risk of DED. No significant association of Bsm-1 and Fok-1 in VDR gene demonstrated significant effect in the incidence of DED. Thus, we found that several SNPs of VDR gene could provide significant pathogenic effects in the risk of DED.

Vitamin D and Human Health

Vitamin D is currently one of the hottest topics in research and clinics, as well as in everyday life. Over the past decades, scientists gathered overwhelming evidence indicating that the observed global vitamin D deficiency not only has a negative impact on human skeletal system, but also facilitates development and progression of multiple disease of civilization, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, autoimmune disease, and cancer. This Special Issue, entitled “Vitamin D and Human Health”, summarizes recent advances in our understanding of pleiotropic activity of vitamin D in the form of eight comprehensive reviews. Furthermore, eight research papers provide new insight into vitamin D research and highlight new directions.