Use of Vitamin D3 for the Treatment of Steroid Resistant Asthmatic Patients

Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of vitamin D3 on severe asthmatic patients. Vitamin D3 may alter the response of these patients to conventional steroid therapy, making them more responsive to the latter form of treatment. Patients will be treated daily with an oral dose (2,000 IU) of vitamin D3 for one month and their clinical and serological parameters, and immune function, will be evaluated. Results from pre- and post-vitaminD3 treatment will be compared.

Timeline

Start

2010-09

Primary completion

2016-02

Completion

2016-02

Publications

• Background Litonjua AA. Childhood asthma may be a consequence of vitamin D deficiency. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009 Jun;9(3):202-7. doi: 10.1097/ACI.0b013e32832b36cd.
• Background Xystrakis E, Kusumakar S, Boswell S, Peek E, Urry Z, Richards DF, Adikibi T, Pridgeon C, Dallman M, Loke TK, Robinson DS, Barrat FJ, O'Garra A, Lavender P, Lee TH, Corrigan C, Hawrylowicz CM. Reversing the defective induction of IL-10-secreting regulatory T cells in glucocorticoid-resistant asthma patients. J Clin Invest. 2006 Jan;116(1):146-55. doi: 10.1172/JCI21759. Epub 2005 Dec 8.
• Background Taher YA, van Esch BC, Hofman GA, Henricks PA, van Oosterhout AJ. 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 potentiates the beneficial effects of allergen immunotherapy in a mouse model of allergic asthma: role for IL-10 and TGF-beta. J Immunol. 2008 Apr 15;180(8):5211-21. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.8.5211.
• Background Peterlik M, Cross HS. Vitamin D and calcium insufficiency-related chronic diseases: molecular and cellular pathophysiology. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2009 Dec;63(12):1377-86. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2009.105. Epub 2009 Sep 2.
• Background Larche M. Regulatory T cells in allergy and asthma. Chest. 2007 Sep;132(3):1007-14. doi: 10.1378/chest.06-2434.

Drugs

Indications