The effect of vitamin D on airway reactivity and inflammation in asthmatic children: A double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Cross-sectional studies have reported an association of vitamin D deficiency with increased asthma prevalence and severity, and with allergies. The effect of vitamin D as sole therapy on airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) and airway inflammation has not been reported.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of vitamin D therapy on AHR as assessed by methacholine concentration, causing a 20% reduction in FEV1 (PC20 -FEV1 ) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), systemic markers of allergy and inflammation, and exhaled breath condensate cytokines.

Patients and methods: Children aged 6-18 years with a clinical diagnosis of mild asthma currently not receiving anti-inflammatory therapy and with low vitamin D levels were included in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessing the effect of 6 weeks of treatment with oral vitamin D 14,000 units once weekly or placebo.

Results: Of the 39 patients included, 20 received vitamin D treatment and 19 received a placebo. Vitamin D replacement resulted in a significant increase in vitamin levels, which remained unchanged in the placebo group (P < 0.0001). There was no change in IgE, eosinophil count, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, FeNO levels or PC20 -FEV1 following treatment. Similar values of exhaled breath condensate cytokines (IL4, IL5, IL10, IL17, and γ interferon) were observed in both groups.

Conclusions: In our small group of children with mild asthma, no difference could be demonstrated between the effect of vitamin D and placebo, despite significant increases in vitamin D blood levels. Larger interventional studies are needed to fully explore the possible effect of vitamin D in asthma.

Keywords: airway hyper-reactivity; exhaled breath condensate; fractional exhaled nitric oxide; vitamin D.