Genetic and environmental determinants of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in multiple sclerosis. (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Laursen, Julie H; Søndergaard, Helle Bach; Albrechtsen, Anders; Frikke-Schmidt, Ruth; Koch-Henriksen, Nils; Soelberg Sørensen, Per; Sellebjerg, Finn; Oturai, Annette
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis. Volume 21:Number 11(2015)
• Page Start: 1414
• Page End: 1422
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: Multiple sclerosis -- vitamin D -- 25-hydroxyvitamin D -- genetics -- environment; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Myelin sheath -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple sclerosis -- Periodicals; Central Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Demyelinating Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple Sclerosis -- Periodicals; Système nerveux central -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Gaine de myéline -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Inflammation (Pathologie) -- Périodiques; Sclérose en plaques -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.834005
• DOI: 10.1177/1352458514563590
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4585

Abstract

Background: Evidence is accumulating supporting a beneficial effect of vitamin D in multiple sclerosis (MS). Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have shown significant associations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in key genes in the vitamin D metabolism. Objective: To examine the association between 25(OH)D and six GWAS SNPs and environmental factors in 1497 MS patients. Methods: Blood samples and lifestyle questionnaires were collected between 2009 and 2012. Genotyping of GC -, CYP2R1 - and NADSYN1 -SNPs was performed by TaqMan allelic discrimination (Life Technologies). Results: We found significant associations between 25(OH)D and SNPs in GC (rs7041, p = 0.01 and rs2282679, p = 0.03) and CYP2R1 (rs10741657, p =1.8 × 10 −4 ). Season of blood sampling (p = 2.8 × 10 −31 ), sex ( p = 1.9 × 10 −5 ), BMI ( p = 2.3 × 10 −5 ), vitamin supplements ( p = 7.0 × 10 −22 ), and fish intake ( p = 0.02) also had significant effects on 25(OH)D. Conclusion: In this cross-sectional study, we found significant effects of environmental factors and SNPs in GC and CYP2R1 on 25(OH)D in MS patients. Since 25(OH)D might have protective effects in MS, and vitamin D supply is a modifiable factor, it may be important to include this in the MS treatment regimen.