Vitamin D accelerates resolution of inflammatory responses during tuberculosis treatment

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Sep 18;109(38):15449-54. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1200072109. Epub 2012 Sep 4.

Abstract

Calcidiol, the major circulating metabolite of vitamin D, supports induction of pleiotropic antimicrobial responses in vitro. Vitamin D supplementation elevates circulating calcidiol concentrations, and thus has a potential role in the prevention and treatment of infection. The immunomodulatory effects of administering vitamin D to humans with an infectious disease have not previously been reported. To characterize these effects, we conducted a detailed longitudinal study of circulating and antigen-stimulated immune responses in ninety-five patients receiving antimicrobial therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis who were randomized to receive adjunctive high-dose vitamin D or placebo in a clinical trial, and who fulfilled criteria for per-protocol analysis. Vitamin D supplementation accelerated sputum smear conversion and enhanced treatment-induced resolution of lymphopaenia, monocytosis, hypercytokinaemia, and hyperchemokinaemia. Administration of vitamin D also suppressed antigen-stimulated proinflammatory cytokine responses, but attenuated the suppressive effect of antimicrobial therapy on antigen-stimulated secretion of IL-4, CC chemokine ligand 5, and IFN-α. We demonstrate a previously unappreciated role for vitamin D supplementation in accelerating resolution of inflammatory responses during tuberculosis treatment. Our findings suggest a potential role for adjunctive vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of pulmonary infections to accelerate resolution of inflammatory responses associated with increased risk of mortality.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / pharmacology
  • Antitubercular Agents / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Immune System
  • Inflammation
  • Kinetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk
  • Steroids / chemistry
  • Time Factors
  • Tuberculosis / immunology*
  • Tuberculosis / therapy
  • Vitamin D / metabolism*
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Steroids
  • Vitamin D