title: [Vitamin D insufficiency--possible etiologic factor of autoimmune diseases].
abstract: The primary source of vitamin D in humans is sun exposure to the skin. The incidence of certain autoimmune diseases correlates positively with latitude. As vitamin D production increases with sun exposure, vitamin D insufficiency is hypothesised to influence the development of autoimmune diseases. In experimental animal and cellular studies in vitro 1.25-(OH)2-vitamin D reduces inflammation. This article discusses the role of vitamin D in inflammatory bowel disease, type 1 diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
authors.affiliation: Arhus Universitetshospital, Arhus Sygehus, Medicinsk Hepato-gastroenterologisk Afdeling V. spgjo@as.aaa.dk
authors.forename: Søren Peter
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
authors.forename: Lars Erik
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Bartels
authors.forename: Jørgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Agnholt
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Glerup
authors.forename: Søren Lyhne
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Christian Lodberg
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hvas
authors.forename: Jens F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Dahlerup
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D