A Potential Role for Vitamin D on HIV Infection?

Abstract

Despite advances in the knowledge of vitamin D's potent immunomodulatory activity, its role on HIV disease progression is unknown. Decreased concentrations of 1␣,or 1,25(OH) 2 D, the active form of vitamin D, have been reported among HIV-infected people and attributed to defects in renal hydroxylation and increased utilization. A few studies also described low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 , 25(OH)D, the vitamin obtained from solar synthesis and diet. An inverse association between 1,25(OH) 2 D concentrations and mortality has been reported from a small cohort of HIV-infected adults, and some cross-sectional studies have indicated positive correlations between 1,25(OH) 2 D and CD4 ϩ cell counts. Additional observational studies are needed to confirm the associations between vitamin D status and HIV disease progression. These investigations would provide useful insights on the potential role of vitamin D supplementation to HIV-infected persons and the planning of intervention trials.

Vitamin D deficiency in HIV-infected individuals: one more risk factor for bone loss and cardiovascular disease?

“…Before the advent of antibiotics, vitamin D was used in the treatment of bacterial infections (11)(12)(13)(14)(15). Many in vitro experiments confirm the action of its active form, 1,25(OH) 2 D, as a potent modulator of the immune system as well as its important role in calcium homeostasis.…”

“…Currently, more than 2/3 of the most recently infected individuals live in extremely poor regions of the world, where there is a high prevalence of nutritional deficiency. A lack of macronutrients has been associated with an increasing number of clinical manifestations and a rise in Aids-related mortality (1,11). Furthermore, studies have also revealed how the beneficial effects of being well-nourished with the necessary vitamin supplements can lead to an improvement in the immune systems of HIV-positive patients (11,12).…”

“…Many in vitro experiments confirm the action of its active form, 1,25(OH) 2 D, as a potent modulator of the immune system as well as its important role in calcium homeostasis. In addition, in vivo, a lack of vitamin D is associated with macrophage dysfunction and bacterial infection (11,13). Despite these advances, much remains to be clarified regarding the role of vitamin D in HIV infection and how its deficiency may affect the progression of the disease (11)(12)(13).…”

“…Despite these advances, much remains to be clarified regarding the role of vitamin D in HIV infection and how its deficiency may affect the progression of the disease (11)(12)(13). Low levels of vitamin D and vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphism have been associated with low CD4, immune activity and the progression of Aids (11,13,16).…”

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 Modulates Cytokine Production Induced by Candida albicans: Impact of Seasonal Variation of Immune Responses

“…Most notably, the clinical course of tuberculosis (MTB) [13], as well as viral influenza and HIV infection, have been associated with vitamin D 3 status [14,15]. However, the capability of vitamin D 3 to modulate the host immune response to fungal infections is still unknown.…”