Endocrine Abstracts

Proinlfammatory cytokines, such as interleukin 17 (IL17) are involved in different inflammatory events causing cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and/or infertility. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (vitamin D₃) plays an immunomodulatory role and therefore, vitamin D₃ deficiency can propagate the development of autoimmune diseases, infections and cancers.

The effect of vitamin D₃ on proinflammatory cytokine levels, such as on IL17, IL6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was investigated in 54 women (mean age 60 years). IL17, IL6 and MCP-1 and vitamin D₃ serum levels were measured by ELISA and chemiluminescence method respectively.

Forty-three women showed vitamin D₃ deficiency (27.45±10.81 nmol/l) and 11 women had only sufficient 68.95±18.44 nmol/l) vitamin D₃ levels. Women with vitamin D₃ deficiency demonstrated higher IL17 (12.5±2.83 vs 11±1.9 ng/ml, P<0.49), IL6 (26.19±12.26 vs 22.68±13.52 ng/ml, NS) and MCP-1 (16.92±2.45 vs 16.18±1.23 ng/ml, NS) levels compared with those, which women had sufficient vitamin D₃ levels. An inversely correlation was found between IL17 and vitamin D₃ levels (P<0.026, r=0.3033).

The results highlight the importance of sufficient vitamin D₃ concentration in the decrease of IL17 levels.