title: The possible roles of vitamin D and curcumin in treating gonorrhea.
abstract: Drug-resistant gonorrhea, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae), is an emerging concern, especially because the risk of bladder cancer is associated with this infection. N. gonorrhoeae suppresses T-helper 1(Th1) and Th2 responses and enhances Th17 responses via a mechanism involving transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and regulatory T cells. Blockade of TGF-β alleviates the suppression of specific anti-gonococcal responses and allows Th1 and Th2 responses to emerge with concomitant boosting of immune memory and protective immunity. Gonorrhea activates nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), which plays a critical role in signal-transduction pathways involved in inflammation. The innate immune system can eventually clear gonorrhea. Vitamin D is emerging as a potential, powerful, anti-microbial agent with these effects: it supports the innate immune system in combating bacterial infections; it decreases levels of TGF-β and NF-kappaB activation; and it induces production of LL-37 (cathelicidin), which has antimicrobial and antiendotoxin properties. In addition, via an independent vitamin D receptor pathway, curcumin also induces LL-37 production, inhibiting N. gonorrhoeae-induced NF-kappaB signaling and inducing autophagy. Therefore, vitamin D and curcumin taken together may be useful in combating both normal and drug-resistant gonorrhea. Moreover, the possible synergy between these two agents in improving outcomes is worthy of additional investigation.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, East Tennessee State University, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, TN, USA.
authors: Dima A
authors: DA
authors: Youssef
authors: Alan N
authors: AN
authors: Peiris
authors: Jim L
authors: JL
authors: Kelley
authors: William B
authors: WB
authors: Grant
mesh_terms: D003474:Curcumin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; D003474:Curcumin