title: A randomized controlled trial on the effect of vitamin D3 on inflammation and cathelicidin gene expression in ulcerative colitis patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an intestinal chronic inflammatory condition and includes Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). It has been proposed that Vitamin D supplementation may have a beneficial role in IBD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the effects of Vitamin D on cathelicidin (hCAP/LL37) gene expression, ESR, and serum hs-CRP levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety UC patients on remission were randomized to receive 300,000 IU intramuscular Vitamin D or 1 mL normal saline as placebo, respectively. Before and 90 days after intervention, serum levels of 25 (OH)-Vitamin D3, PTH, Calcium, ESR, and hs-CRP were measured. Cathelicidin gene expression was also quantified using qRT-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline serum 25-OH-Vitamin D3 levels were not different between the two groups and after intervention, increased only in Vitamin D group (P < 0.001). Hs-CRP levels were lower in Vitamin D group after intervention (Before: 3.43 ± 3.47 vs 3.86 ± 3.55 mg/L, P = 0.56; after: 2.31 ± 2.25 vs 3.90 ± 3.97 mg/L, P= 0.023). ESR decreased significantly in Vitamin D group (Before: 12.4 ± 6.1 vs 12.1 ± 5.3 mm/h, P= 0.77; after: 6.7 ± 4.5 vs 11.4 ± 5.5 mm/h, P< 0.001). The mean fold change in hCAP18 gene expression in Vitamin D group was significantly higher than placebo group. (Mean ± SD: 3.13 ± 2.56 vs 1.09 ± 0.56; median ± interquartile range: 2.17 ± 3.81 vs 0.87 ± 0.53, P< 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Decreases in ESR and hs-CRP levels and increase in LL37 gene expression support the hypothesis that Vitamin D supplementation may have a beneficial role in UC patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Amrollah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharifi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Javad
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hosseinzadeh-Attar
authors.affiliation: Digestive Disease Research Center, Digestive Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Homayoon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vahedi
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Knowledge Utilization Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Saharnaz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nedjat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D054804:Cathelicidins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D054804:Cathelicidins; D014815:Vitamins; D002762:Cholecalciferol; D002097:C-Reactive Protein