The effect of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 on lymphocyte transformation in patients with chronic renal failure

The changes in mitogen-induced lymphocyte response occurring in nine patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis and treated with 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (0.5 micrograms/day) were investigated. Prior to treatment the stimulation indices (SI) in patients with 15.4 +/- 4.2 for phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and 7.2 +/- 0.7 for conconavalin A (Con A). In the controls, stimulation indices were 44.4 +/- 13.5 and 20.2 +/- 5.3 for PHA and Con A, respectively. Following treatment, the stimulation indices increased to 36.9 +/- 6.2 for PHA (p < 0.05) and 18.6 +/- 3.9 for Con A (p > 0.05) indicating the beneficial effect of oral 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 treatment on lymphocyte function in patients with chronic renal failure.