title: The Effect of Vitamin A Supplementation on FoxP3 and TGF-β Gene Expression in Avonex-Treated Multiple Sclerosis Patients.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoinflammatory condition of the central nervous system with impaired T helper (Th)17 and regulatory T cell (Treg) balance that is involved in disease immunopathogenesis. The vitamin A active metabolite, retinoic acid, can re-establish this imbalance through the modulation of gene expression of specific nuclear receptors including Forkhead box P3 (FoxP3). At present, few data exist on the impact of vitamin A supplementation on T cell balance. This study reports the results of a clinical trial, over a 6-month period, of 36 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients that received vitamin A (25,000 IU retinyl palmitate) or placebo (one capsule of placebo per day). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from patients, and the expression of FoxP3 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β gene expression was measured using real-time PCR at the beginning and end of the study. The results of this study showed that vitamin A upregulated TGF-β and FoxP3 gene expression. Therefore, vitamin A supplementation can be considered as a new approach in MS prevention and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, asaboor@tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Ali Akbar
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Saboor-Yaraghi
authors.forename: Mohammad Hossein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Harirchian
authors.forename: Niyaz
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mohammadzadeh Honarvar
authors.forename: Sama
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bitarafan
authors.forename: Mina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdolahi
authors.forename: Feridoun
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Siassi
authors.forename: Eisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salehi
authors.forename: Mohammad Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sahraian
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Eshraghian
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Roostaei
authors.forename: Fariba
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Koohdani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014815:Vitamins; D014801:Vitamin A; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a