BACKGROUND: The effects of vitamin D in regulating bone mineralization are well documented. The action of vitamin D as a key link between Toll-like receptor activation and antibacterial responses in innate immunity has recently been shown. The data suggest that differences in the ability of human populations to produce vitamin D may contribute to susceptibility to microbial infection. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore whether an association exists between vitamin D insufficiency and acute respiratory tract infection in young Finnish men. DESIGN: Young Finnish men (n = 800) serving on a military base in Finland were enrolled for this study. Their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin [25(OH)D] concentrations were measured in July 2002. They were followed for 6 mo, and the number of days of absence from duty due to respiratory infection were counted. RESULTS: The mean (+/- SD) serum 25(OH)D concentrations were 80.2 +/- 29.3 nmol/L (n = 756). Subjects with serum 25(OH)D concentrations < 40 nmol/L (n = 24) had significantly (P = 0.004) more days of absence from duty due to respiratory infection (median: 4; quartile 1-quartile 3: 2-6) than did control subjects (2; 0-4; n = 628; incidence rate ratio 1.63; 95% CI: 1.15, 2.24). We found a significant (P = 0.004) association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and the amount of physical exercise before induction into military service. We also found significantly (P < 0.001) lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations in subjects who smoked (72.8 +/- 26.6 nmol/L; n = 192) than in control subjects (82.9 +/- 29.7 nmol/L; n = 537). CONCLUSION: Clinical trials of vitamin D supplementation are needed to investigate whether it enhances immunity to microbial infections.
BACKGROUND: The effects of vitamin D in regulating bone mineralization are well documented. The action of vitamin D as a key link between Toll-like receptor activation and antibacterial responses in innate immunity has recently been shown. The data suggest that differences in the ability of human populations to produce vitamin D may contribute to susceptibility to microbial infection. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore whether an association exists between vitamin Dinsufficiency and acute respiratory tract infection in young Finnish men. DESIGN: Young Finnish men (n = 800) serving on a military base in Finland were enrolled for this study. Their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin [25(OH)D] concentrations were measured in July 2002. They were followed for 6 mo, and the number of days of absence from duty due to respiratory infection were counted. RESULTS: The mean (+/- SD) serum 25(OH)D concentrations were 80.2 +/- 29.3 nmol/L (n = 756). Subjects with serum 25(OH)D concentrations < 40 nmol/L (n = 24) had significantly (P = 0.004) more days of absence from duty due to respiratory infection (median: 4; quartile 1-quartile 3: 2-6) than did control subjects (2; 0-4; n = 628; incidence rate ratio 1.63; 95% CI: 1.15, 2.24). We found a significant (P = 0.004) association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and the amount of physical exercise before induction into military service. We also found significantly (P < 0.001) lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations in subjects who smoked (72.8 +/- 26.6 nmol/L; n = 192) than in control subjects (82.9 +/- 29.7 nmol/L; n = 537). CONCLUSION: Clinical trials of vitamin D supplementation are needed to investigate whether it enhances immunity to microbial infections.
Authors: H Johansson; A Odén; J Kanis; E McCloskey; M Lorentzon; Ö Ljunggren; M K Karlsson; P M Thorsby; Å Tivesten; E Barrett-Connor; C Ohlsson; D Mellström Journal: Osteoporos Int Date: 2011-10-19 Impact factor: 4.507
Authors: Matthew E Falagas; Drosos E Karageorgopoulos; Lambros I Moraitis; Evridiki K Vouloumanou; Nikos Roussos; George Peppas; Petros I Rafailidis Journal: CMAJ Date: 2009-09-21 Impact factor: 8.262
Authors: K E Brock; B I Graubard; D R Fraser; S J Weinstein; R Z Stolzenberg-Solomon; U Lim; J A Tangrea; J Virtamo; L Ke; K Snyder; D Albanes Journal: Eur J Clin Nutr Date: 2010-01-06 Impact factor: 4.016