Lupus and Vitamin D3

I am going to begin writing essays on the effects of vitamin D3 on various autoimmune diseases. I chose to begin this staggered series with the often fatal disease Lupus.

First, a few background articles on the effects of vitamin D3 on the immune system.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&
dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15584887&itool=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&
dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16046118&itool=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&
dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12520518&itool=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&
dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12230797&itool=pubmed_docsum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&
dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12520519&itool=pubmed_docsum

Activated vitamin D3 does not activate the immune system. It actually inhibits it, acting as a brake to prevent excessive immune reactivity.

Lupus is a horrible autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory lesions all over the skin and eventual kidney failure. It is usually treated with potent synthetic glucosteroids such as dexamethasone or prednisone.

In a recent study, low levels of vitamin D3 were positively associated with the severity of Lupus symptoms.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&
dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16431339&itool=pubmed_docsum

This is not surprising since autoimmune diseases in general have been associated with low circulating levels of vitamin D3 in the body.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/queryd.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&
dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15564440&itool=pubmed_docsum

More on this topic later.

Stay tuned...

Grouppe Kurosawa, Medicine in the Public Interest
(http://www.grouppekurosawa.com)