Endocrine Abstracts

Vitamin D has become an important player beyond bone and calcium metabolism. Receptors for 1,25(OH)2D3 or calcitriol as well as the machinery to produce 1,25(OH)2D3 locally are present all over the immune system. Regulation of the enzyme responsible for the final activation of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (CYP27B1) is however completely different in immune cells than in kidney cells. Particular immunomodulating effects of 1,25...

Immunomodulatory properties of vitamin D have been recognized for more than 25 years. However, until recently it was unclear whether these actions of contributed to normal immune function. Two new developments have helped to clarify this. Firstly, our perspective on what constitutes normal vitamin D status has changed considerably, with the introduction of the term ‘vitamin D insufficiency’ to describe individuals with inadequate (but not rachitic) serum levels of 25...

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. Genetic and environmental risk factors are likely operative in MS pathobiology. MS prevalence varies from very low rates in peri-equatorial regions, to over 100/100 000 population in temperate regions distant from the equator- prompting consideration of limited sunlight and vitamin D insufficiency as potential risk factors for MS. In a large study of MS patients living in te...

Some but not all epidemiologic studies suggest an association between vitamin D deficiency and an increased incidence of asthma symptoms. Similar associations have been made with respiratory infections, e.g. influenza, tuberculosis. We are interested in the wider role of vitamin D in maintaining pulmonary health through the induction of both anti-microbial and regulatory pathways. We, and others, propose these are critical to controlling infections in the airways, whilst limit...