Vitamin D decreases CD40L gene expression in ulcerative colitis patients: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

Turk J Gastroenterol. 2020 Feb;31(2):99-104. doi: 10.5152/tjg.2020.181028.

Abstract

Background/aims: The interaction of CD40 ligand (CD40L) and CD40 triggers the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It has been proposed that vitamin D deficiency might be an important factor, which causes or aggregates the autoimmune situations. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of vitamin D on CD40L gene expression in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).

Materials and methods: Ninety mild-to-moderate UC patients were randomized to receive a single injection of 7.5 mg cholecalciferol or 1 mL normal saline. At baseline and 90 days following the intervention, RNA samples from whole blood were obtained. Fold changes in CD40L mRNA expression were determined for each patient using the 2-ΔΔCq method. The data were analyzed.

Results: The serum levels of vitamin D and calcium increased only in the vitamin D group (p<0.05). Relative to baseline values, the CD40L gene expression fold change was significantly lower in the vitamin D group compared with the placebo group (median±interquartile range: 0.34±0.30 vs 0.43±1.20, respectively, p=0.016).

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that vitamin D administration in mild-to-moderate UC patients led to the downregulation of the CD40L gene, which is an essential part of inflammatory pathways.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • CD40 Ligand / blood*
  • Calcium / blood
  • Cholecalciferol / administration & dosage*
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / blood
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / genetics*
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Female
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Male
  • RNA / blood
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vitamin D / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / drug therapy*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / genetics*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Vitamin D
  • CD40 Ligand
  • Cholecalciferol
  • RNA
  • Calcium