The role of vitamin D as an immune modulator has been emphasized in recent years,and low levels of the hormone were observed in several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus...The role of vitamin D as an immune modulator has been emphasized in recent years,and low levels of the hormone were observed in several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus.Vitamin D mediates its effect though binding to vitamin D receptor(VDR),and activation of VDR-responsive genes.While VDR gene polymorphism was found to associate with autoimmune thyroid diseases(AITDs),few studies examined levels of vitamin D in these patients and those that did yielded conflicting results.We therefore undertook to evaluate the levels of vitamin D in patients with AITDs compared to patients with non-AITDs and healthy controls.Serum vitamin D(25-OH)levels were measured in 50 patients with AITDs,42 patients with non-AITDs and 98 healthy subjects,utilizing the LIAISON chemiluminescence immunoassay(DiaSorin,Saluggia,Italy).VitaminD deficiency was designated at levels lower than 10 ng/ml.Antithyroid antibodies,thyroid functions and demographic parameters were evaluated in all patients.The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was significantly higher in patients with AITDs compared with healthy individuals(72% versus 30.6%;P<0.001),as well as in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis compared to patients with non-AITDs(79% versus 52%;P<0.05).Vitamin D deficiency also correlated to the presence of antithyroid antibodies(P=0.01)and abnormal thyroid function tests(P=0.059).Significantly low levels of vitamin D were documented in patients with AITDs that were related to the presence of anti thyroid antibodies and abnormal thyroid function tests,suggesting the involvement of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of AITDs and the advisability of supplementation.展开更多
文摘The role of vitamin D as an immune modulator has been emphasized in recent years,and low levels of the hormone were observed in several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus.Vitamin D mediates its effect though binding to vitamin D receptor(VDR),and activation of VDR-responsive genes.While VDR gene polymorphism was found to associate with autoimmune thyroid diseases(AITDs),few studies examined levels of vitamin D in these patients and those that did yielded conflicting results.We therefore undertook to evaluate the levels of vitamin D in patients with AITDs compared to patients with non-AITDs and healthy controls.Serum vitamin D(25-OH)levels were measured in 50 patients with AITDs,42 patients with non-AITDs and 98 healthy subjects,utilizing the LIAISON chemiluminescence immunoassay(DiaSorin,Saluggia,Italy).VitaminD deficiency was designated at levels lower than 10 ng/ml.Antithyroid antibodies,thyroid functions and demographic parameters were evaluated in all patients.The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was significantly higher in patients with AITDs compared with healthy individuals(72% versus 30.6%;P<0.001),as well as in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis compared to patients with non-AITDs(79% versus 52%;P<0.05).Vitamin D deficiency also correlated to the presence of antithyroid antibodies(P=0.01)and abnormal thyroid function tests(P=0.059).Significantly low levels of vitamin D were documented in patients with AITDs that were related to the presence of anti thyroid antibodies and abnormal thyroid function tests,suggesting the involvement of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of AITDs and the advisability of supplementation.
