Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 31, 2025
Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and inflammatory cytokines in Nigerian children with asthma
Bankole Peter Kuti1,2, Demilade K Kuti1
1Department of Paediatrics, Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, Nigeria.
Insights
Nigerian children with asthma had lower serum vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) and inflammatory cytokines compared to healthy controls. Serum vitamin D showed a complex, non-linear relationship with T-helper cell type 1 and type 2 cytokines.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Nutritional Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Childhood asthma pathogenesis involves complex inflammatory cytokine networks.
- The role of serum vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D), an immunomodulator, in childhood asthma is not well understood.
- Investigating vitamin D's influence on T-helper cell cytokines in asthmatic Nigerian children is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) and various T-helper cell type 1 (Th1) and type 2 (Th2) cytokines in Nigerian children with asthma.
- To compare vitamin D levels and cytokine profiles between asthmatic children and non-asthmatic controls.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 180 Nigerian children (aged 2-15 years), with 90 diagnosed with asthma and 90 controls.
- Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) and multiple interleukins (ILs) were measured using chromatography.
- Statistical analyses were performed to determine associations between vitamin D status and cytokine levels.
Main Results:
- Children with asthma exhibited significantly lower mean serum vitamin D levels (38.8 ng/ml) compared to controls (45.5 ng/ml).
- A higher proportion of asthmatic children had suboptimal serum vitamin D levels (26.0% vs. 8.8%).
- Serum vitamin D showed significant positive correlations with Th1 cytokines (IL-2, IL-8) and Th2 cytokines (IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-9), but a negative correlation with IL-13. Cytokine levels were highest in the normal vitamin D state.
Conclusions:
- Serum vitamin D and certain cytokines were found to be lower in Nigerian children with asthma compared to controls.
- Vitamin D status did not correlate with asthma severity or control in this cohort.
- Serum 25-OHD appears to have a non-linear relationship with Th1 and Th2 cytokines in Nigerian children with asthma.
Abstract:
Background: Childhood asthma involves a network of mutually interacting inflammatory mediators and cytokines. The influence of serum vitamin D (an immunomodulatory agent) on these cytokines is poorly understood. This study sets out to determine the relationship between serum T-helper cells type 1 cytokines (Interleukins ILs-1β, 2, 6, 8 and 10), type 2 cytokines (ILs 3, 4,5,9,13), ILs-12, 17 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) in Nigerian children with asthma.Methods: Children with physician-diagnosed asthma and non-asthmatics aged 2-15 years were consecutively recruited at a tertiary center in Nigeria. Serum 25-OHD and cytokines were assayed using chromatography method and association between these parameters determined.Results: A total of 180 children (90 for each group; mean age 7.5 ± 3.9 years; M:F 1.9:1) were recruited. Fifty-six (76.7%) asthmatics had mild intermittent form and symptoms were sub-optimally controlled in 16 (21.9%). The mean (SD) serum Vitamin D was lower in children with asthma (38.8 ± 17.0 ng/ml vs. 45.5 ± 16.6 ng/ml vs. p = 0.023). Also more proportion of children with asthma had suboptimal serum vitamin D level (26.0% vs. 8.8%; p = 0.022). Deficient vitamin D state was associated with higher serum Th1 and Th2 cytokines compared to insufficient state, but the highest cytokine levels were observed in normal vitamin D state. There was significant positive correlation between serum vitamin D and Th1 cytokines IL-2 and IL-8 as well as Th2 cytokines (ILs-3, 4, 5 and 9), but negative correlation with IL-13Conclusions: Serum Vitamin D and cytokines were lower in a sample of Nigerian children with asthma than controls. Vitamin D status was not related to asthma severity and control. Serum 25-OHD seems to have a non-linear relationship with Th1 and Th2 cytokines in Nigerian asthmatics.
More Related Videos
10:46A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
11:54Absorption of Nasal and Bronchial Fluids: Precision Sampling of the Human Respiratory Mucosa and Laboratory Processing of Samples
Published on: January 21, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:24Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications
Classification of Asthma
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction