scholarly journals Vitamin D supplementation in systemic lupus erythematosus: relationship to disease activity, fatigue and the interferon signature gene expression

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosalie Magro ◽  
Christian Saliba ◽  
Liberato Camilleri ◽  
Christian Scerri ◽  
Andrew A. Borg

Abstract Background In addition to the well-known role of vitamin D in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism, vitamin D is important in the modulation of the immune system and inflammatory processes. Vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), possibly as a result of sun avoidance. The aim of this prospective open-label study was to assess the effect of the treatment of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in SLE patients, particularly with regards to disease activity, fatigue and interferon signature gene expression. Methods 31 SLE patients, 13 with vitamin D deficiency and 18 with vitamin D insufficiency were treated with vitamin D3. They were supplemented with vitamin D3 8000 IU daily for 8 weeks if they were vitamin D deficient, or 8000 IU daily for 4 weeks if they were insufficient. This was followed by 2000 IU daily maintenance. They were assessed at baseline, after 6 and 12 months by means of an interview, filling in questionnaires and blood tests. The expression of 12 interferon signature genes in RNA extracted from whole blood was measured by using QuantiGene Plex technology. Results An improvement in disease activity measured by systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index-2K (SLEDAI-2K; p = 0.028) and fatigue measured by fatigue severity scale (FSS; p = 0.071) at 12 months were noted. A significant decrease in anti-double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) titre (p = 0.045) was also noted. The mean interferon signature gene expression score decreased from baseline to 6 months, however statistical significance was not achieved (p = 0.165). Conclusions Improved disease activity and fatigue have been noted when Vitamin D has been supplemented in vitamin D deficient/insufficient SLE patients. One possible mechanism could be the suppression of the interferon signature gene expression. Trial registration: The study was registered with the ISRCTN registry on 12/04/2021 (Trial ID: ISRCTN59058825).

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 344.3-345
Author(s):  
R. Magro ◽  
C. Saliba ◽  
L. Camilleri ◽  
C. Scerri ◽  
A. Borg

Background:Vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent in patients with systemic lupus eythematosus (SLE) as a result of sun avoidance.1The potential negative impact of vitamin D deficiency on SLE disease activity has been shown in a number of studies.2The expression of the interferon signature genes in SLE correlates positively with disease activity, and these genes are thought to mediate the clinical manifestations of the disease.3Objectives:The aim of this study was to establish whether a relationship exists between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and the interferon signature gene expression in whole blood of SLE patients.Methods:Informed consent was obtained from 92 SLE patients who were over the age of 18 and who fulfilled the SLICC classification criteria for SLE. The patients were interviewed and blood samples were taken. SLE disease activity was measured by SLE disease activity index-2K (SLEDAI-2K). RNA extraction was performed from whole blood. QuantiGene Plex technology was used to measure the expression of 12 interferon signature genes in the extracted RNA. The study was approved by the University Research Ethics Committee.Results:92.4% of the cohort studied were female. 58.7% were receiving vitamin D3 supplementation at a mean dose of 1031IU daily. 27.2% had vitamin D insufficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D 21-29ng/ml) and 15.2% were vitamin D deficient (25-hydroxyvitamin D <20ng/ml). Mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was 30.75ng/ml (standard deviation 9.53 ng/ml). Median SLEDAI-2K was 4 (range 0-12). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D had a significant negative correlation with body mass index (BMI) (R=-0.258, p=0.006) but there was no significant negative correlation with SLEDAI-2K or with the expression of the interferon signature genes. The expression of most interferon signatures genes measured (IFI35, OAS1, MX1, IFITM1, STAT2, IFIT3, IFIT1, STAT1, SOCS1) had a significant positive correlation with SLEDAI-2K.Conclusion:This study did not show a significant relationship between serum vitamin D level and disease activity. In keeping with this, there was no significant negative correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and interferon signature gene expression. Further prospective studies and randomised controlled trials are required to study this relationship in greater depth.References:[1]Kamen DL, Cooper GS, Bouali H, Shaftman SR, Hollis BW, Gilkeson GS. Vitamin D deficiency in systemic lupus erythematosus. Autoimmun Rev. 2006; 5: 114-7.[2]Sahebari M, Nabavi N, Salehi M. Correlation between serum 25(OH)D values and lupus disease activity: an original article and a systematic review with meta-analysis focusing on serum VitD confounders.Lupus2014; 23: 1164-77.[3]Arasappan D, Tong W, Mummaneni P, Fang H, Amur S. Meta-analysis of microarray data using a pathway-based approach identifies a 37-gene expression signature for systemic lupus erythematosus in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. BMC Med. 2011; 9: 65.Disclosure of Interests: :None declared


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. IMI.S40035 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nouran M. Abaza ◽  
Reem M. El-Mallah ◽  
Asmaa Shaaban ◽  
Sameh A. Mobasher ◽  
Khaled F. Al-hassanein ◽  
...  

Background The emerging role of vitamin D in immunology and autoimmune disorders has been a worldwide interest in the last decade. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients are particularly at a delicate position predisposing them to suffer from vitamin D deficiency due to the multiple risk factors accompanying the disease. Whether vitamin D deficiency is also involved as a risk factor for developing SLE and affecting its course is a considerable concern. Objectives The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in SLE patients and its relation to disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our observational cross-sectional study, serum levels of vitamin D [25(OH)D] in 60 SLE patients and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were assessed and estimated for deficiency and insufficiency at 10 and 30 ng/mL, respectively. Disease activity was evaluated by SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), irreversible organ damage by Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SLICC/ACR DI), and severity by Severity of Disease Index. Fatigue was measured by visual analog scale. Results Significantly lower levels of 25(OH)D were found in SLE patients (17.6 ± 6.9 ng/mL) in comparison to controls (79.0 ± 28.7 ng/mL), with a statistically high significant difference ( t = -11.2, P < 0.001). High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency was detected as 73.3% and 23.3%, respectively. Vitamin D had a highly significant negative correlation with SLEDAI ( r = -0.495, P < 0.001), SLICC ( r = -0.431, P < 0.05), and fatigue ( r = -0.436, P < 0.05). Conclusion Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were found to be prevalent in SLE patients in our study and related to disease activity and fatigue. If needed, routine screening and consequent repletion of vitamin D are recommended in SLE patients. Restoring adequate vitamin D levels in SLE patients should be more explored as a potential yet simple measure to their usual management to improve their condition.


Lupus ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 1155-1160 ◽  
Author(s):  
ZS Bonakdar ◽  
L Jahanshahifar ◽  
F Jahanshahifar ◽  
A Gholamrezaei

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