A RANDOMIZED DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL OF THE EFFECT OF VITAMIN D ON CD154 GENE EXPRESSION IN ULCERATIVE COLITIS PATIENTS

Background and Aim: CD154 (CD40L) coupling with CD40 initiates the induction of inflammatory cytokines. Vitamin D deficiency seems to be a key factor which causes or aggregates the autoimmune situations. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of vitamin D on CD154 gene expression in ulcerative colitis patients. Methods: Ninety mild to moderate UC patients were randomized to receive a single injection of 7.5 mg cholecalciferol or 1 ml normal saline. At baseline and 3 months following the intervention RNA samples were taken from whole blood. Fold changes in CD154 mRNA expression were determined using the 2-ΔΔCq method. The data were analyzed using SPSS v.25 and STAT v.14. Results: Serum levels of vitamin D and calcium raised only in the vitamin D group (p<0.05). Relative to baselines, the CD154 gene expression fold change was significantly lower in the vitamin D group compared with the placebo group (Median ± IQR: 0.34 ± 0.30 vs 0.43 ± 1.20 respectively, p=0.016).Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that vitamin D administration leads to downregulation of the CD154 gene in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis patients, which is an essential part of inflammatory pathways.

Keywords:

Vitamin D , Inflammatory Bowel Disease , Ulcerative Colitis , CD154