Abstract
Widespread vitamin D insufficiency and vitamin D supplementation (even low dose rickets prophylaxis) have been hypothesised as contributory factors to the recent increase in asthma. These hypotheses are supported by reports of immunomodulatory effects of vitamin D on antigen presenting cells, regulatory T cells and T-helper cells and evidence that vitamin D influences fetal lung differentiation and epithelial-mesenchymal function. Studies of vitamin D in animal models confirm complex effects of vitamin D on asthma immunopathogenesis. In humans a majority of epidemiological studies support the hypothesis that vitamin D insufficiency during pregnancy increases the likelihood of childhood wheeze and possibly asthma, although some studies do report the converse. In children and adults with asthma, reduced serum vitamin 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels have been associated with parameters of increased asthma severity. Clinical trials are underway addressing whether maternal vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy reduces the likelihood of childhood asthma and if there is a role for vitamin D supplementation in established asthma.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 408-413 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews |
Volume | 7 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2011 |
Keywords
- Asthma
- Lung development
- Pregnancy
- Prevention
- T cells
- Treatment
- Vitamin D