title: Role of the vitamin D in leprosy.
abstract: There is an evidence of abnormal metabolism in the vitamin D endocrine system of patients with leprosy. Bone deformities usually occur in patients with leprosy. Genetic factors, such as the vitamin D receptor, the major histocompatibility complex region, chromosome 20, human toll-like receptors, the natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1, the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing 2, phosphate-regulating gene with homologies to endopeptidase on the X chromosome and the tyrosine kinase growth factor receptor-ErbB-2, contribute to both vitamin D status and leprosy. The role of vitamin D in leprosy has been demonstrated by its effects on Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination, vascular endothelial growth factor, prostaglandins, reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen intermediates, matrix metalloproteinases, antiphospholipid syndrome and the nerve growth factor. Vitamin D plays a definite role in leprosy. Vitamin D, itself, may effect on leprosy through the vitamin D receptors or may influence leprosy through indirect effects.
authors.affiliation: Vietnamese American Medical Research Foundation, Westminster, CA 92683, USA. Lng2687765@aol.com
authors.forename: Khanh vinh quôc
authors.initials: Kv
authors.lastname: Luʼoʼng
authors.forename: Lan Thi Hoàng
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Nguyên
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000502:physiology*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D014807:Vitamin D