Vitamin D (VitD) deficiency is a significant public health concern in many areas around the globe which has been associated with many immune-mediated diseases, including asthma. Severe asthma has been linked with a decreased glucocorticoid receptors (GR) ratio (GR-α/ GR-β ratio), indicating steroid hyporesponsiveness. Using combined in silico and in vivo approaches, the investigators aimed to explore the immunomodulatory effect of VitD on asthmatic patients diagnosed with hypovitaminosis D. Methods: In silico tools were used to identify the regulatory effect of VitD supplementation on GR genes. The investigators measured the expression levels of GR-α and the inactive isoform, GR-β, in the blood of adult asthmatics diagnosed with hypovitaminosis D before and after VitD supplementation. Moreover, the blood levels of inflammatory cytokines associated with asthma severity were determined.
Vitamin D (VitD) deficiency is a significant public health concern in many areas around the globe which has been associated with many immune-mediated diseases, including asthma. Severe asthma has been linked with a decreased glucocorticoid receptors (GR) ratio (GR-α/ GR-β ratio), indicating steroid hyporesponsiveness. Using combined in silico and in vivo approaches, aimed to explore the immunomodulatory effect of VitD on asthmatic patients diagnosed with hypovitaminosis D.