Changes in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D are associated with maturation of regulatory T lymphocytes in patients with chronic pancreatitis: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
We studied the impact of changes in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)(2)D) on regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) and fat malabsorption in a prospective clinical trial.


METHODS
The patients were randomized to 1 of 3 treatments during 10 weeks: weekly UV-B in a tanning bed (group A), 1520-IU/d vitamin D supplement (group B), or placebo (group C). A placebo tanning bed was used in groups B and C. We determined the levels of CD4 Tregs (CD3(+)CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(low)FoxP3(+)) and CD8(+) Tregs (CD3(+)CD8(+)CD25(+)CD127(low)FoxP3(+)), together with 25OHD and 1,25(OH)2D. For baseline comparisons, we included 8 healthy individuals. Of the 30 included patients, 27 (group A, 7 patients; group B, 9 patients; and group C, 11 patients) completed the protocol.


RESULTS
The baseline levels of CD4(+) Tregs relative to total CD4(+) count were higher in 22 patients with CP compared with healthy controls (2.8% vs 1.9%, P < 0.05) and were comparable for CD8+ Tregs (0.13% vs 0.05%, P = 0.3). Increases in levels of CD4(+) Tregs correlated to changes in 1,25(OH)(2)D (2% per 100 pmol/L, P = 0.002) and 25OHD (3% per 100 nmol/L, P = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with CP have elevated relative levels of CD4(+) Tregs. Increases in 25OHD and 1,25(OH)(2)D were both related with increases in levels of Tregs.
Department of Endocrinology, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. ulrichbangbang@gmail.com
Ulrich Christian
UC
Bang
Lea
L
Brandt
Thomas
T
Benfield
Jens-Erik Beck
JE
Jensen
D000368:Aged; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008286:Malabsorption Syndromes / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood
D014807:Vitamin D; C097949:1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D