AB0072 Vitamin D Levels and Cytokine Profile in SLE Patients. (10th June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schneider, L.; Santos, A.S.; Santos, M.O.; Gasparin, A.; Chakr, R.; Brenol, J.C.T.; Xavier, R.M.; Monticielo, O.A.
• Is Part Of: Annals of the rheumatic diseases. Volume 73:Supplement 2(2014)
• Page Start: 827
• Page End: 828
• Publication Date: 2014-06-10
• Subjects: Rheumatism -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.4366
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4967

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease which presents heterogeneous clinical manifestations. Patients with SLE develop autoimmune response mediated by T and B cells that are manifested by the production of cytokines and autoantibodies. Vitamin D has an immunomodulatory effect, acting in innate and adaptative immune systems, could change the Th1, Th2 and Th17 cytokine profiles. Objectives: To evaluate the expression of Th1, Th2 and Th17 cytokine profiles in SLE patients and verify possible associations with serum vitamin D levels. Methods: 172 patients with SLE followed at the outpatient clinic of Rheumatology at Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre were included. The levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [(25(OH)D)] were measured by chemiluminescence. Serum levels <20 ng/ml were considered as vitamin D deficiency. Normal vitamin D levels were defined as ≥20ng/ml. Cytokines were measured in serum after thawing the samples on a single occasion, using Kit CBA Th1/Th2/Th17 (BD™ Biosciences, USA). Results: 161 (94%) patients were women and 128 (74.4%) were classified as caucasian ethnicity. The mean age of was 40.5±13.8 years and the mean age at diagnosis was 31.5±13.4 years. At the time of study entry, patients had median (IQR) SLEDAI of 2 (1-4) and SLICC of 0 (0-1). Mean 25(OH)D levels were 25.4±11.04 ng/ml. Fifty-nine (34.3%) patients had vitamin D deficiency and 113 (65.7%) had normal levels. Serum levels of cytokines are shown in Table 1 . No associations and statistically significant correlations between cytokine levels and dosages of vitamin D were found. Only levels of INF-α and SLEDAI showed a positive and significant correlation (rs=0.22, p=0.04). Linear regression analysis was performed to control for possible confounding factors, specially medications used. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in patients with SLE, however, no statistically significant correlations and associations between vitamin D levels and cytokine profile were found. We confirm the positive correlation between IFN-α and SLEDAI, according to the literature. In vitro effect of vitamin D on the cytokine profile was not reproduced in this study. Research with vitamin D and cytokine profile in controlled intervention trials with placebo are needed to investigate this hypothesis before any definitive conclusions can be made. Disclosure of Interest: None declared DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.4366