Associations between vitamin D, immunoglobulin E concentrations, and obesity

Abstract

The prevalence of allergies and obesity has been increased in parallel. Low vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels have been linked to both higher body mass index (BMI) and allergies. Since the activation of the 25(OH)D receptor inhibits IgE production and 25(OH)D influences the IgE response specifically, we tested the hypothesis that circulating 25(OH)D concentrations are negatively related to circulating allergen-specific IgE concentrations distinctly in a large adult population-based study cohort. Moreover, we studied VDR gene expression in paired biopsies of abdominal subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT). We investigated whether magnetic resonance imaging-estimated visceral (VFM) and subcutaneous fat mass (SFM) are related to 25(OH)D levels. We found gender differences in circulating 25(OH)D and IgE concentrations. Participants with obesity showed lower 25(OH)D concentrations and higher IgE concentrations were detected in women only. Interestingly, participants with high levels of 25(OH)D are leaner and have improved glucose metabolism. In women, 25(OH)D correlate significant with VFM and SFM. VDR expression is significantly higher expressed in VAT and is positive associated with circulating 25(OH)D concentration. There was no association between serum IgE and 25(OH)D in the entire cohort. Based on these data, we could confirm that low levels of 25(OH)D are linked to higher BMI but could not prove our hypothesis because there is no relationship between 25(OH)D and IgE in adults. Women with higher BMI tend to have higher IgE levels what may have clinical relevance. The association between obesity and circulating 25(OH)D/IgE is not straightforward, and further knowledge is needed.

Association of vitamin D levels with anthropometric and adiposity indicators across all age groups: a systematic review of epidemiologic studies

“…Our systematic search identified 42 cross-sectional studies ( 12 , 13 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 79 , 83 , 84 , 85 ) and two cohort investigations ( 60 , 78 ) (with 33,815 participants) that investigated the potential relationship between 25(OH)D serum concentrations and anthropometric/adiposity indices in adults and/or elderly population. The studies about the link between 25(OH)D serum level and anthropometric indices in adults and/or elderly population were carried out in the following countries: 9 studies from USA, 3 from UK, 3 from Spain, 2 from Turkey, 4 from Saudi Arabia, 2 from Iran, 2 from India, 2 from Italy, 2 from Germany, and 18 others from China, UAE, Pakistan, Australia, Finland, England, Portugal, Malaysia, Bulgaria, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Greece, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.…”

“…The age of participants was >18 years old. Among the included studies, 27 articles ( 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 84 , 85 ) involved both sexes, and 17 investigations conducted in females ( 12 , 13 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 ) and males ( 69 , 70 , 71 ) only. The included studies mostly considered the following potential confounders: age, sex, season of blood sampling, smoking, vitamin D status, body fat mess, weight, height, BMI, IGF-1, PTH, UVB, alcohol, tobacco, sports, use of multivitamin supplements, menopausal status/HRT use, physical activity, socioeconomic status, income, job, obesity, education level, lifestyle, sun exposure, lean mass, nutrient intake, residence type, race, ethnicity, serum calcium, magnesium and phosphate, GFR, 25(OH)D, CRP, WC, month of blood collection, marital status, district, area, latitude, phosphorus, serum alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, and IL-6.…”

“… 4 Vilaca ( 84 ), 2022 UK, NM Cross-sectional 200 F/M 25–40 or 55–75 Community-dwelling men and women from South Yorkshire Autoanalyzers NM Weight, height, BMI, body composition. Age, sex Compared with normal weight, obese individuals had lower 25(OH)D. 5 Avila Castillo ( 85 ), 2023 Germany, Caucasian Cross-sectional 1032 (533/499) F/M 40–79 Adult population of LIFE-Adult-Study Chemiluminescent enzyme immunometric assay Deficiency: 25(OH)D <20 ng/mL BMI, WC, HC, WHR, %BF. NM Low levels of 25(OH)D are linked to higher BMI.…”

“…In 2023, Avila Castillo et al ( 85 ), in their study on the 1032 adult population of the LIFE-Adult-Study, concluded that low levels of 25(OH)D were linked to higher BMI, while fat mass areas showed a negative correlation with 25(OH)D concentrations only in women.…”