Modulatory effects of vitamin D on peripheral cellular immunity in patients with recurrent miscarriage

Abstract

Problem: We aimed to investigate the modulatory effects of vitamin D on peripheral blood cellular immune response in patients with recurrent miscarriage (RM).

Method of study: The effect of vitamin D on the number of peripheral blood cells, T helper 1 (Th1) cytokines, and NK cytotoxicity was measured in 99 women with RM.

Results: The percentage of CD19⁺ B cells and NK cytotoxicity at an effector-to-target cell (E:T) ratio of 50:1, 25:1, and 12.5:1 were significantly higher in the vitamin D insufficiency group (VDI) than in the vitamin D normal group (VDN) (P<.05 each). The proportion of TNF-α-expressing Th cells was significantly higher in the vitamin D deficiency group (VDD) than in VDN (P<.05). However, there were no significant differences between VDI and VDD. This dysregulation was significantly reduced with 1,25(OH)₂ D supplementation.

Conclusion: The data suggest that the abnormalities of cellular immune response were observed in RM patients with a low vitamin D level, which could be regulated to some extent with 1,25(OH)₂ D supplementation.

Keywords: 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D; NK cytotoxicity; Th1 cytokines; peripheral blood lymphocyte; recurrent miscarriage.