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Therapeutic effect of vitamin D3 in multiple sclerosis patients

Ghasem Mosayebi1, Ali Ghazavi, Keyvan Ghasami

  • 1Molecular and Medicine Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, IR Iran. gmosayebi@yahoo.com

Immunological Investigations
|May 6, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Short-term vitamin D3 therapy did not significantly alter disability or lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. However, it reduced cell proliferation and increased specific immune factors, suggesting potential benefits for MS development.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Neurology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory neurological disease affecting myelin sheaths.
  • Epidemiological studies suggest vitamin D may influence MS susceptibility and progression.
  • Vitamin D acts as an immunomodulatory agent, prompting investigation into its therapeutic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of short-term vitamin D3 supplementation on Iranian patients with MS.
  • To evaluate vitamin D3's impact on clinical outcomes and immunological markers in MS patients.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 62 MS patients.
  • Participants received either 300,000 IU/month of vitamin D3 or a placebo via intramuscular injection for 6 months.
  • Clinical assessments included the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and gadolinium-enhancing lesions. Immunological markers like cell proliferation, TGF-β, and IL-10 were also measured.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences were observed in EDSS scores or the number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions between the vitamin D3 and placebo groups over 6 months.
  • Vitamin D3 treatment led to a significant reduction in cell proliferation compared to the placebo group.
  • Levels of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were significantly higher in the vitamin D3 treatment group.

Conclusions:

  • Short-term vitamin D3 therapy did not show immediate clinical benefits in MS patients regarding disability or MRI lesions.
  • Vitamin D3 supplementation modulated immune responses, indicated by decreased cell proliferation and increased TGF-β and IL-10 levels.
  • These immunomodulatory effects suggest that vitamin D therapy might be a useful adjunct for preventing MS development or progression.

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