title: Role of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the treatment of asthma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to observe the influence of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on airway inflammation and chemokine expression in asthmatic rats and to explore its significance in the treatment of asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal control group (N), an asthma group (A), a 1,25-(OH)2D3 group (VD), a budesonide group (P) and a 1,25-(OH)2D3 + budesonide treatment group (L). The acute asthma models were established through ovalbumin sensitisation and challenge. Lung tissues were stained with haematoxylin and eosin to observe pathologic changes, whereas an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to examine serum IgE, as well as the eosinophil chemoattractant protein (eotaxin) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and the serum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VD treatment partially reversed the characteristic pathological changes of airway inflammation. The IgE, eotaxin, and IL-8 expression levels in the VD group were significantly lower than those in the A group (p < 0.05) but remained higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  1,25-(OH)2D3 reduces airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness and airway remodeling by partially inhibiting chemokine production during airway inflammation, and 1,25-(OH)2D3 synergises with hormone therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China. yunxiaoshangcn@yeah.net.
authors.forename: W-M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Y-G
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Y-X
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Shang
authors.forename: X-X
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: W-W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002452:Cell Count; D054413:Chemokine CCL11 / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014815:Vitamins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D054413:Chemokine CCL11; D016209:Interleukin-8; D014815:Vitamins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010047:Ovalbumin; D002117:Calcitriol