Sherrill J Brown1. 1. Drug Information Service, Skaggs School of Pharmacy, College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Montana, Missoula, 59812-1522, USA. sherrill.brown@umontana.edux
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the literature about the role of vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE (1966-April 2006) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-April 2006) searches were performed. In addition, pertinent references from identified articles were obtained. Key search terms included vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, and multiple sclerosis. DATA SYNTHESIS: Vitamin D supplementation prevented the development and progression of experimental autoimmune encephalitis, an animal model of MS, in mice. A large, prospective, cohort study found that vitamin D supplementation was associated with a 40% reduction in the risk of developing MS. Four small, noncontrolled studies suggested that vitamin D supplementation may decrease exacerbation of MS symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D supplementation may help prevent the development of MS and may be a useful addition to therapy. However, current studies are in small populations and are confounded by other variables, such as additional vitamin and mineral supplementation.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the literature about the role of vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE (1966-April 2006) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-April 2006) searches were performed. In addition, pertinent references from identified articles were obtained. Key search terms included vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, and multiple sclerosis. DATA SYNTHESIS: Vitamin D supplementation prevented the development and progression of experimental autoimmune encephalitis, an animal model of MS, in mice. A large, prospective, cohort study found that vitamin D supplementation was associated with a 40% reduction in the risk of developing MS. Four small, noncontrolled studies suggested that vitamin D supplementation may decrease exacerbation of MS symptoms. CONCLUSIONS:Vitamin D supplementation may help prevent the development of MS and may be a useful addition to therapy. However, current studies are in small populations and are confounded by other variables, such as additional vitamin and mineral supplementation.
Authors: David A Hanley; Ann Cranney; Glenville Jones; Susan J Whiting; William D Leslie; David E C Cole; Stephanie A Atkinson; Robert G Josse; Sidney Feldman; Gregory A Kline; Cheryl Rosen Journal: CMAJ Date: 2010-07-12 Impact factor: 8.262
Authors: Robert P Lisak; Joyce A Benjamins; Beverly Bealmear; Liljana Nedelkoska; Diane Studzinski; Ernest Retland; Bin Yao; Susan Land Journal: J Neuroinflammation Date: 2009-01-21 Impact factor: 8.322