Objective: To detect and analyze the expression level of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], periodontal clinical indicators and immunological indicators of rheumatism in patients with periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to explore the correlation between 25(OH)D and the two diseases. Methods: This study was a case-control study. According to the inclusion criteria, patients from the Department of Stomatology and the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology and healthy volunteers from the Physical Examination Center were selected from November 2018 to May 2019 in Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University respectively. The patients were divided into 4 groups: 26 patients with simple periodontitis were included in the periodontitis group; 23 patients with RA were included in the RA group; 22 patients with RA and periodontitis simultaneously were included in the RA with periodontitis group; 22 healthy volunteers were included in the healthy control group, adding up to a total of 93 cases. The general information and periodontal clinical indexes of subjects in these 4 groups were recorded. Median elbow venous blood samples were collected from fasting subjects in each group, and 25(OH)D and immunoglobulin (Ig) were measured. The disease activity scores of RA patients were recorded and the rheumatic immune indexes were determinated. Pearson correlation analysis was performed between 25 (OH) D level and periodontal indexes in subjects of 4 groups. Results: The expression levels of rheumatoid factor [106.5(47.1, 283.8) kU/L] and C-reactive protein [20.5(13.1, 32.3) mg/L] in RA with periodontitis group were significantly higher than those in RA group [60.1(19.0, 110.0) kU/L, 14.7(3.0, 18.0) mg/L] (Z=-2.29, P=0.022; Z=-2.25, P=0.024). The levels of IgG and IgA in RA with periodontitis group [IgG and IgA: (16.0±4.3), (3.2± 1.3) g/L] as well as RA group [IgG and IgA: (16.3±5.5), (3.7±1.8) g/L] were significantly higher than those in healthy control group [IgG and IgA: (12.0±1.8), (2.3±0.6) g/L] and periodontitis group [IgG and IgA: (12.5±2.2), (2.0±0.7) g/L](P<0.05). The level of 25(OH)D in RA with periodontitis group [(26.0±9.8) nmol/L] was significantly lower than that in periodontitis group [(35.6±8.4) nmol/L] and RA group [(32.7±8.6) nmol/L] (P<0.05). The level of 25(OH)D was negatively correlated with sulcus bleeding index (r=-0.43, P=0.032) and clinical attachment loss (r=-0.41, P=0.043). Conclusions: Expression level of 25(OH)D was significantly decreased in patients with periodontitis and RA. There was a certain correlation between 25(OH)D and periodontitis and RA.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism* ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin G ; Periodontitis ; Vitamin D/analogs & derivatives*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application value of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Data of 158 patients with SLE in Department of Rheumatology and Immunology in the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from July 2016 to July 2019. All the SLE patients were divided into two groups by SLE scores of the disease activity index (SLEADI): 59 cases of active group (SLEADI > 4), 99 cases of non-active group (SLEDAI ≤4). Fifty healthy people were selected as healthy control group. The patients' general information and their laboratory data including serum 25(OH)D levels were collected. Statistical methods used were t-test, Spearman's correalation analysis and Logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: (1) A total of 208 cases were included in this study. The level of 25(OH)D in SLE group [10.4(5.6, 15.8) μg/L] was significantly lower than that in healthy control group [25.5(22.8, 32.3) μg/L, P < 0.01]. 25(OH)D level in active SLE patients [6.2(3.7, 13.8) μg/L] was significantly lower than that in remission SLE patients [12.3(7.2, 16.7) μg/L, P < 0.01]. The serum 25(OH)D level in lupus nephritis [6.7 (4.4, 12.9) μg/L] was significantly lower than that in SLE without renal involvement [13.3 (7.4, 18.7) μg/L, P < 0.01]. (2) A significant negative correlation was demonstrated between the serum level of 25(OH)D and SLEDAI (r=-0.35, P < 0.01), and the 24h urinary protein excretion (r=-0.39, P < 0.01).Positive correlation was demonstrated between the serum level of 25(OH)D and C3 that decreased (r=0.249, P < 0.05). (3) Univariate analysis showed anti- dsDNA antibodies(ds-DNA), anti-Sm antibodies(Sm), IgG, C3, C4, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), 24h urinary protein quantification(24h-pro) and 25(OH)D were associated with disease activity in the SLE patients; Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that 25(OH)D was associated with the disease activity of the lupus patients. CONCLUSION The decrease of vitamin D level is related to the disease activity of SLE patients, and may be related to lupus nephritis, which plays an important role in the occurrence and development of SLE.
Antibodies, Antinuclear ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Lupus Nephritis ; Vitamin D/analogs & derivatives*

Aged ; Brain Ischemia ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Female ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Vitamin D ; analogs & derivatives ; blood

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the relationship of vitamin D level with the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants.

METHODSA total of 429 preterm infants with a gestational age of <36 weeks, who were admitted to the department of neonatology within 2 hours after birth between January and December, 2016, were enrolled in the study. According to whether these infants developed NEC, the 429 subjects were divided into NEC group (n=22) and non-NEC group (n=407). Peripheral venous blood was collected from these preterm infants and their mothers at admission to measure the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD). The two groups were compared in terms of the serum 25-OHD levels of preterm infants and their mothers. Pearson correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between the serum 25-OHD levels of preterm infants and their mothers. The distribution of vitamin D levels in preterm infants was compared between the two groups. The univariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors for NEC in preterm infants.

RESULTSThe serum 25-OHD levels of preterm infants and their mothers in the NEC group were significantly lower than in the non-NEC group (P<0.001). In both groups, the serum 25-OHD levels of mothers and preterm infants were positively correlated with each other (P<0.001). The distribution of vitamin D levels (normal vitamin D level, low vitamin D level, vitamin D deficiency, and severe vitamin D deficiency) was significantly different between the NEC and non-NEC groups (P<0.001). The univariate logistic regression analysis showed that gestational age, birth weight, 25-OHD levels of preterm infants and their mothers, the duration of mechanical ventilation, the duration of oxygen inhalation, and the length of hospital stay were associated with the development of NEC (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe serum 25-OHD levels of preterm infants and their mothers may be related to the development of NEC in preterm infants, suggesting that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy is important for preventing the development of NEC in preterm infants.

Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Premature, Diseases ; etiology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Vitamin D ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; complications

BACKGROUND: Age-related musculoskeletal diseases are becoming increasingly burdensome in terms of both individual quality of life and medical cost. We intended to establish a large population-based cohort study to determine environmental, lifestyle, and genetic risk factors of musculoskeletal and other age-related diseases, and to clarify the association between vitamin D status and such diseases. METHODS: We targeted 34,802 residents aged 40-74 years living in areas of northern Niigata Prefecture, including Sekikawa Village, Awashimaura Village, and Murakami City (Murakami region). The baseline questionnaire survey, conducted between 2011 and 2013, queried respondents on their lifestyle and environmental factors (predictors), and self-reported outcomes. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentration, an indicator of vitamin D status, was determined with the Liaison® 25OH Vitamin D Total Assay. The primary outcome of this study was osteoporotic fracture; other outcomes included age-related diseases including knee osteoarthritis, perception of chronic pain, dementia, and long-term care insurance use. Mean ages of men and women were 59.2 (SD = 9.3, N = 6907) and 59.0 (SD = 9.3, N = 7457) years, respectively. From the blood samples provided by 3710 men and 4787 women, mean 25(OH)D concentrations were 56.5 (SD = 18.4) nmol/L (22.6 ng/mL) and 45.4 (SD = 16.5) nmol/L (18.2 ng/mL), respectively. DISCUSSION Follow-up surveys are planned every 5 years for 15 years, and incident cases of our targeted diseases will be followed at hospitals and clinics in and nearby the cohort area. We anticipate that we will be able to clarify the association between vitamin D status and multiple disease outcomes in a Japanese population.
Aged ; Aging ; Cohort Studies ; Epidemiologic Research Design ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Japan ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Quality of Life ; Risk Factors ; Vitamin D ; analogs & derivatives ; blood

The relationship between vitamin D deficiency and idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) has been recently documented. In this study, 280 girls diagnosed with ICPP and 188 normal puberty control girls of similar ages were enrolled and retrospectively studied. The ICPP group had significantly lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels than the control group. Furthermore, a nonlinear relationship was found between serum 25[OH]D and ICPP, and a cut-off point for serum 25[OH]D was found at 31.8 ng/ml for ICPP with and without adjusting the different confounding factors. Girls with serum 25[OH]D ≥ 31.8 ng/ml had a lower odds ratio (unadjusted: OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.83, P < 0.05; height and weight adjusted: OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.18 to 1.08, P = 0.072; BMI adjusted: OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.84, P < 0.05). The ICPP subjects with 25[OH]D deficiency had a higher body mass index (BMI) than the subjects from the two other subgroups. Correlation analysis showed that vitamin D level is correlated with BMI and some metabolic parameters in the ICPP group. Our study suggested that vitamin D status may be associated with ICPP risk and may have a threshold effect on ICPP.
Body Mass Index ; Child ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Logistic Models ; Multivariate Analysis ; Puberty, Precocious ; blood ; complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Vitamin D ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; epidemiology

Von Willebrand factor (vWF) is a glycoprotein with a crucial role in the formation of platelet thrombi, and ADAMTS13 is the main enzyme responsible for vWF cleavage. Both are important in the relationship between diabetic nephropathy, hypercoagulability, and cardiovascular disease. This study evaluated a potential relationship between vitamin D (vitD) levels, vWF, ADAMTS13 activity, and inflammation in diabetic patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD). Blood samples from 52 diabetic patients on chronic HD were obtained to determine vitD levels, vWF, and ADAMTS13 activity, and inflammatory markers. HD patients were grouped according to 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) VitD]<25 nmol/L (n=16) or >25 nmol/L (n=36). vWF antigen and vWF activity were elevated in both groups, with an average of 214.3±82.6% and 175.8±72.6%, respectively. Average ADAMTS13 activity was within the normal range in both groups. Blood samples from the vitD <25 nmol/L group showed a positive correlation between c-reactive protein (CRP) and vWF levels (P=0.023; r=0.564; 95% confidence interval=0.095-0.828), with a negative correlation between HbA1c and 25(OH) VitD (P=0.015; r=-0.337; 95% confidence interval=-0.337-0.19). Diabetic patients on chronic HD had elevated vWF levels and activity with no significant change in ADAMTS13 activity. The correlation between CRP and vWF levels in the 25(OH) VitD<25 nmol/L group suggests inflammatory-related endothelial dysfunction in these patients.
ADAMTS13 Protein/*metabolism ; Aged ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications/*diagnosis/metabolism ; Female ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated/analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/complications/*diagnosis/metabolism ; Vitamin D/*analogs & derivatives/blood ; von Willebrand Factor/*metabolism

BACKGROUNDBreast cancer is the most common type of cancer among females. Genetic polymorphisms might have a role in carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine whether C to T base substitution within TaqI Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene (rs731236) in exon 9 was a risk factor among patients with breast cancer.

METHODSPeripheral blood was drawn from 122 Jordanian breast cancer patients and 100 healthy Jordanian volunteers in Al-Basheer Hospital during the summer months (from June to November of 2013, 2014, and 2015). DNA was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by TaqI restriction enzyme digestion. Quantification of serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin D (25[OH]D) level was determined by competitive immunoassay Elecsys.

RESULTSGenotypic frequencies for TaqI TT, Tt, and tt genotypes were 41%, 46%, and 13% for breast cancer compared to 42%, 50%, and 8% for control, respectively. Vitamin D serum level was significantly lower in the breast cancer patients (8.1 ± 0.3 ng/ml) compared to the control group (21.2 ± 0.6 ng/ml; P= 0.001). This study showed an inverse association between 25(OH)D serum level and breast cancer risk (odds ratio [OR], 22.72, 95% confidence interval [CI], 10.06-51.29).

CONCLUSIONSAn inverse association was found between 25(OH)D serum level and breast cancer risk. Statistical difference was also found between different VDR TaqI genotypes and circulating levels of 25(OH)D among Jordanian females with breast cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; etiology ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Calcitriol ; genetics ; Risk Factors ; Vitamin D ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate vitamin D level at birth and possible influencing factors in preterm infants.

METHODSA total of 600 preterm infants were enrolled, and venous blood samples were collected within 24 hours after birth to measure the serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. The effect of sex, birth weight, birth season, gestational age, mother's age, body mass index (BMI) in early pregnancy, delivery mode, and complications during pregnancy on serum 25(OH)D level was analyzed.

RESULTSThe rates of vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency were 42.0%, 38.7%, and 19.3% respectively. The preterm infants born in summer and autumn had a significantly higher serum 25(OH)D level than those born in winter (P<0.05) and a significantly lower incidence rate of vitamin D deficiency than those born in spring and winter (P<0.003). Compared with those whose mothers were aged <30 years, the infants whose mothers were aged ≥30 years had a significantly higher serum 25(OH)D level (P<0.05) and a significantly lower incidence rate of vitamin D deficiency (P<0.017). Compared with those whose mothers were overweight or had normal body weight, the infants whose mothers were obese had a significantly lower serum 25(OH)D level (P<0.05) and a significantly higher incidence rate of vitamin D deficiency (P<0.006). Compared with those whose mothers had no preeclampsia, the infants whose mothers had preeclampsia during pregnancy had a significantly lower serum 25(OH)D level (P<0.05) and a significantly higher incidence rate of vitamin D deficiency (P<0.017). The multivariate analysis showed that birth in winter and spring, mother's age <30 years, and early-pregnancy BMI ≥28 kg/mwere risk factors for vitamin D deficiency (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThere is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in preterm infants. Vitamin D supplementation should be given to the preterm infants with high-risk factors for vitamin D deficiency.

Dietary Supplements ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; blood ; Infant, Premature ; blood ; Male ; Seasons ; Vitamin D ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; epidemiology ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of serum vitamin D [25-(OH)D] level with the severity and treatment in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP).

METHODSA total of 50 children with newly-diagnosed HSP between January and December, 2015 were enrolled as HSP group, and 49 healthy children were enrolled as control group. Fasting serum samples were collected, and ELISA was used to measure serum 25-(OH)Dlevel. According to the serum 25-(OH)Dlevel, the HSP group were further divided into normal group (>20 ng/mL) (n=9), insufficiency group (15-20 ng/mL) (n=15), deficiency group (≤15 ng/mL) (n=25), and severe deficiency group (≤5 ng/mL) (n=1). The general data, clinical manifestations, hormone therapy, course of disease before admission, and length of hospital stay were compared between groups.

RESULTSThe HSP group had a significantly lower serum 25-(OH)Dlevel than the control group (16±6 ng/mL vs 29±5 ng/mL; P<0.01). Compared with the normal and insufficiency groups, the deficiency and severe deficiency groups had significant increases in the incidence rate of renal involvement, rate of hormone application, and median length of hospital stay (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in course of disease before admission (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSChildren with HSP have a low serum 25-(OH)Dlevel, and such children may have a high risk of renal involvement, a high rate of hormone application, and a prolonged length of hospital stay. However, further studies are needed to investigate whether vitamin D supplementation is helpful to the treatment of HSP and can shorten the course of disease in children with HSP.

Child ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Severity of Illness Index ; Vitamin D ; analogs & derivatives ; blood