Open AccessProfiling vitamin D, its mediators and proinflammatory cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis: A case–control study
Author(s) -
Sakyi Samuel A.,
OwusuYeboah Mavis,
Obirikorang Christian,
Dadzie Ephraim Richard K.,
Kwarteng Alexander,
Opoku Stephen,
Afranie Bright O.,
Senu Ebenezer,
Boateng Andy O.,
Boakye Derrick K.,
Buckman Tonnies A.,
Amoani Benjamin
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
immunity, inflammation and disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 18
ISSN - 2050-4527
DOI - 10.1002/iid3.676
Subject(s) - proinflammatory cytokine , medicine , rheumatoid arthritis , vitamin d and neurology , endocrinology , parathyroid hormone , inflammation , tumor necrosis factor alpha , vitamin d deficiency , rheumatology , immunology , calcium
The active form of vitamin D has immunomodulatory and anti‐inflammatory effect. Vitamin D is implicated in pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its deficiency leads to increased inflammation. Moreover, its production is dependent on concentration of calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Cytokines mediates inflammation in RA synovium. This study evaluated vitamin D, its mediators and proinflammatory cytokines among RA patients. Methods In a case–control study, 78 RA patients from Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital rheumatology clinic and 60 healthy blood donors were recruited. Chemistry analyzer and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to measure biochemical parameters and cytokines. Results We found significantly higher levels of interleukin (IL)‐1β, interferon gamma (IFN‐γ), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in RA patients compared with controls ( p < .05). There was a significant positive correlation between intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and IL‐10 ( r = .30, p < .05) and a negative correlation between IL‐6 ( r = −0.28, p > .05), IL‐1β ( r = −0.25, p > .05), TNF‐α ( r = −0.26, p > .05), IFN‐γ ( r = −0.24, p > .05), and iPTH. There was a significant negative correlation between IL‐1β ( r = −0.33, p < .05), IFN‐ γ ( r = −0.29, p < .05), and calcium. Conclusion Reduced PTH, calcium, and phosphorus is associated with higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines which may worsen RA disease condition. Vitamin D is therefore not an independent regulator of proinflammatory cytokines in RA.