title: The immunobiological and clinical role of vitamin D in obstructive lung diseases.
abstract: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which is obtained by conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin by UV ray and by diet. Its role on bone mineralization has been known for over two hundred years, while its non-skeletal effects have been acknowledged only in the last few years. The discovery of important vitamin D properties on the innate and adaptive immune system created a lot of interest in a potential role of vitamin D on diseases characterized by heightened inflammation and oxidative response, and impaired antimicrobial response, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recent studies have demonstrated that vitamin D and its deficiency have a number of biological effects which are potentially important in altering the pathogenesis and severity of both asthma and COPD. Vitamin D may improve lung function and response to steroids therapy, reduce airway remodeling and disease exacerbations. The aim of this study is to review the role of Vitamin D in asthma and COPD.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Medicine Unit, Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Città della Salute e della Scienza University Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy - psolidoro@cittadellasalute.to.it.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Solidoro
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bellocchia
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Facchini
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D