BackgroundNo one can deny that the biological importance of vitamin D is much beyond its classical role in bone metabolism. Several recent publications have highlighted its potential role in the functioning of the immune system. The overall objective of this study was to look into possible correlations between levels of vitamin D and inflammatory markers in sera of healthy adult women. These markers included proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, interferon [IFN]-γ, and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α), anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13), as well as C-reactive protein (CRP) as a general indicator of inflammation.MethodsVenous blood samples were collected from 118 healthy adult women and serum levels of vitamin D, CRP, proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IFN-γ, and TNF-α), and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13) were measured.ResultsThere were no significant direct correlations between serum levels of vitamin D and any of the inflammatory markers measured. However, subjects with deficient levels of vitamin D and high CRP produced significantly higher levels of the proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-8) as compared to subjects with low CRP levels with nondeficient and deficient levels of vitamin D. Further, the anti-inflammatory/proinflammatory ratios suggest a role of vitamin D in maintaining an anti-inflammatory environment at low levels of CRP, an association that is weaker at high CRP levels in subjects with subclinical inflammatory situations.ConclusionThese data point to a possible role of vitamin D as a contributing factor in balancing cytokines toward an anti-inflammatory role in inflammatory situations.
Low vitamin D status is prevalent in Kuwaiti adolescent females, which may have a negative impact on their bone mineralization and accrual. Further investigation is needed to reveal the underlying causes.
BackgroundAlthough a large number of studies have investigated possible relationships among serum levels of vitamin D or cytokines with disease progress and prognosis, similar studies on self-reported symptoms are still controversial. The overall objective of this study was to look into the association between serum levels of vitamin D or cytokines with self-reported symptoms related to musculoskeletal pain, sleep disorders, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in healthy adult women.Subjects and methodsVenous blood samples were collected from 117 healthy adult women, and serum levels of vitamin D, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13) were measured. Groups were tested for differences in single parameters, pro-:anti-inflammatory cytokine ratios, and differences in multivariate patterns.ResultsThere were no significant associations between serum levels of vitamin D and any of the self-reported symptoms studied. However, serum levels of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly higher in subjects with musculoskeletal pain (IL-8, P=0.008), sleep disorders (IFN-γ, P=0.02), and PMS (IL-8 and TNF-α, P=0.009 and 0.002, respectively) compared to subjects who reported no symptoms. The pro-:anti-inflammatory cytokine ratios showed pro-inflammatory cytokine dominance in subjects with self-reported symptoms, particularly in the groups with deficient levels of vitamin D. However, the multivariate cytokine-pattern analysis was significantly different between PMS groups only.ConclusionThese data point to a possible role of pro-inflammatory cytokines as a contributing factor in self-reported symptoms related to musculoskeletal pain, sleep disorders, and PMS.
BackgroundOngoing studies in the Middle East, particularly in the Arabian Gulf countries, have reported extremely low levels of serum vitamin D across age and gender. In Kuwait, vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in adolescent girls and in adult women. A number of risk factors have been reported, among which gender, age, and obesity are a few. Because adequate vitamin D status is necessary to promote bone mineral accrual in childhood, and because low vitamin D levels have been associated with a wide range of health problems, there is concern that growing children with low vitamin D may be at higher risk for developing diseases. The aim of this study was to assess vitamin D levels in elementary schoolchildren.MethodsKuwaiti schoolchildren were recruited and assessed for their serum vitamin D, 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and adjusted serum calcium (adj-Ca). Anthropometric measurements and data on lifestyle and health status were recorded during an interview.ResultsIn a total of 199 schoolchildren, median (IQR) age was 8.5 (7.0–9.5 years), 25(OH)D was 30 (22–39 nmol/L), PTH was 4.7 (3.8–5.9 pmol/L), and adj-Ca was 2.39 (2.33–2.44 mmol/L). Boys had higher levels of 25(OH)D (18.3% vs 6.6% had levels ≥50 nmol/L) and lower levels of PTH (94.6% vs 80.2% had levels <7 pmol/L) than girls. Significant risk factors for 25(OH)D levels <25 nmol/L included being ≤8.5 years old (OR 4.95, 95% CI: 1.92–12.74), having PTH ≥7 pmol/L (OR 2.28, 95% CI: 1.17–4.46), being female (OR 2.44, 95% CI: 1.22–4.88), and being overweight or obese (OR 2.18, 95% CI: 1.11–4.26).ConclusionsThe results show relatively low levels of 25(OH)D in young schoolchildren in Kuwait, with lower levels in girls. Given the association of 25(OH)D with a wide range of ailments, it is necessary to further examine the causes and risk factors of low vitamin D in this age group to prevent associated health problems.
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