The Role of Vitamin D in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Asthma and Other Respiratory Diseases

The Effectiveness of Supplementation with Key Vitamins, Minerals, Antioxidants and Specific Nutritional Supplements in COPD-A Review

Currently, an increasing amount of evidence supports the notion that vitamins C, D and E, carotenoids, and omega-3 fatty acids may protect against the progression of chronic respiratory diseases. Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) primarily affects the lung, it is often accompanied by extrapulmonary manifestations such as weight loss and malnutrition, skeletal muscle dysfunction, and an excess of harmful oxidants, which can lead to a decline in quality of life and possible death. Recently, the role of various vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in mitigating the effects of environmental pollution and smoking has received significant attention. Therefore, this review evaluates the most relevant and up-to-date evidence on this topic. We conducted a literature review between 15 May 2018 and 15 May 2023, using the electronic database PubMed. Our search keywords included COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, FEV₁, supplementation: vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B, omega-3, minerals, antioxidants, specific nutrient supplementations, clinical trials, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We focused on studies that measured the serum levels of vitamins, as these are a more objective measure than patient self-reports. Our findings suggest that the role of appropriate dietary supplements needs to be reconsidered for individuals who are predisposed to or at risk of these conditions.

Sputum and blood transcriptomics characterisation of the inhaled PDE4 inhibitor CHF6001 on top of triple therapy in patients with chronic bronchitis

Background

Although phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors have been shown to reduce COPD exacerbation rate, their biological mechanism of action is not completely elucidated at the molecular level. We aimed to characterise the whole genome gene expression profile of the inhaled PDE4-inhibitor CHF6001 on top of triple therapy in sputum cells and whole blood of patients with COPD and chronic bronchitis.

Methods

Whole genome gene expression analysis was carried out by microarray in 54 patients before and after 32 days treatment with CHF6001 800 and 1600 μg and placebo twice daily (BID) in a randomised crossover study.

Results

CHF6001 had a strong effect in sputum, with 1471 and 2598 significantly differentially-expressed probe-sets relative to placebo (p-adjusted for False Discovery Rate < 0.05) with 800 and 1600 μg BID, respectively. Functional enrichment analysis showed significant modulation of key inflammatory pathways involved in cytokine activity, pathogen-associated-pattern-recognition activity, oxidative stress and vitamin D with associated inhibition of downstream inflammatory effectors. A large number of pro-inflammatory genes coding for cytokines and matrix-metalloproteinases were significantly differentially expressed for both doses; the majority (> 87%) were downregulated, including macrophage inflammatory protein-1-alpha and 1-beta, interleukin-27-beta, interleukin-12-beta, interleukin-32, tumour necrosis factor-alpha-induced-protein-8, ligand-superfamily-member-15, and matrix-metalloproteinases-7,12 and 14. The effect in blood was not significant.

Conclusions

Inhaled PDE4 inhibition by CHF6001 on top of triple therapy in patients with COPD and chronic bronchitis significantly modulated key inflammatory targets and pathways in the lung but not in blood. Mechanistically these findings support a targeted effect in the lung while minimising unwanted systemic class-effects.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrial.gov, EudraCT, 2015–005550-35. Registered 15 July 2016.

Integrative Medicine for Respiratory Conditions: Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are 2 common chronic respiratory disorders in primary care that cause considerable morbidity and mortality. This article reviews disease pathophysiology and outlines an integrative, multidimensional approach to the evaluation and management of these conditions, including pharmacotreatment, nutrition, supplements, self-care strategies, mind-body therapies, and other integrative modalities.

Association Between Hypovitaminosis D in Elderly Women and Long- and Short-Term Mortality-Results from the Osteoporotic Prospective Risk Assessment Cohort

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between low vitamin D levels (<50 nmol/L) and 10-year mortality in women aged 75 and older.

DESIGN

Prospective with 15 years of follow-up.

SETTING

Malmö, Sweden.

PARTICIPANTS

Population-based cohort of 75-year-old women (N = 1,044).

MEASUREMENTS

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels at age 75 (n = 1,011), 80 (n = 642), and 85 (n = 348) were categorized as low (<50 nmol/L), intermediate (50-75 nmol/L) and high (>75 nmol/L) at all ages. Hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality between ages 75 and 90 were calculated according to 25(OH)D category.

RESULTS

Between ages 80 and 90, all-cause mortality (HR = 1.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3-2.4, P < .001; adjusted for comorbidities (aHR) = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.4-2.6, P < .001) was significantly higher in women with low 25(OH)D levels than in those with high levels. Osteoporosis had the greatest effect on mortality, but even after excluding women with osteoporotic fracture during the risk of dying associated with low 25(OH)D remained greater (HR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.2-2.7, P = .002; aHR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.2-2.5, P = .006).

CONCLUSION

In this observational study of women aged 75 and older, 25(OH)D levels of less than 50 nmol/L were associated with greater all-cause mortality for up to 10 years. This difference was at least partially independent of comorbidities and fracture, indicating that low 25(OH)D not only is an indicator of impaired health, but also plays a role in disease outcome.

Association Between Severe Vitamin D Deficiency, Lung Function and Asthma Control

INTRODUCTION

To examine the relationship between severe vitamin D deficiency, asthma control, and pulmonary function in Turkish adults with asthma.

METHODS

One hundred six asthmatic patients underwent pulmonary function tests skin prick test, peripheral blood eosinophil counts, IgE, body mass index and vitamin D levels were determined. Patients were divided into 2 subgroups according to vitamin D levels (vitamin D level<10ng/ml and vitamin D level≥10 ng/ml). Asthma control tests were performed.

RESULTS

The mean age of subgroup i (vitamin D level<10) was 37±10 and the mean age of subgroup ii (vitamin D level≥10ng/ml) was 34±8. Sixty-six percent of patients had severe vitamin D deficiency (vitamin D level<10 ng/ml). There was a significant trend towards lower absolute FEV₁ (L) values in patients with lower vitamin D levels (P=.001). Asthma control test scores were significantly low in the severe deficiency group than the other group (P=.02). There were a greater number of patients with uncontrolled asthma (asthma control test scores<20) in the severe vitamin D deficiency group (P=.040). Patients with severe vitamin D deficiency had a higher usage of inhaled corticosteroids than the group without severe vitamin D deficiency (P=.015). There was a significant trend towards lower absolute FEV₁ (L) (P=.005, r=.272) values in patients with lower vitamin D levels. Vitamin D levels were inversely related with body mass index (P=.046).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of severe vitamin D deficiency was high in adult Turkish asthmatics. In addition, lower vitamin D levels were associated with poor asthma control and decreased pulmonary function.

1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Induces Neutrophil Apoptosis through the p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

BACKGROUND

Reduced neutrophil apoptosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute exacerbation chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is involved in neutrophil apoptosis. 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1α,25VitD3) can induce tumor cell apoptosis. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of 1α,25VitD3 on peripheral blood neutrophil apoptosis in AECOPD and examine the role of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

METHODS

The study enrolled 36 AECOPD patients and 36 healthy volunteers. Venous blood samples were obtained from both groups. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-(OH) D) levels in peripheral venous blood were assayed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS); the neutrophils were separated and cultured with SB203580 (a p38 inhibitor) and 1α,25VitD3. Neutrophil apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry, and phospho-p38 MAPK protein expression was detected by Western blot. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance. Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used for the between-group differences and correlation analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

The 25-(OH) D levels were lower in AECOPD patients than in healthy controls, and the peripheral blood neutrophil apoptosis results were similar. 1α,25VitD3 increased the apoptosis rate and the level of phospho-p38 MAPK in peripheral blood neutrophils of AECOPD patients. SB203580 partly inhibited 1α,25VitD3-induced peripheral blood neutrophil apoptosis and phospho-p38 MAPK overexpression. The 25-(OH) D levels were positively correlated with increased peripheral blood neutrophil apoptosis and phospho-p38 MAPK levels. In addition, expression of the phospho-p38 MAPK protein was also positively correlated with peripheral blood neutrophil apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that 1α,25VitD3 induces peripheral blood neutrophil apoptosis through the p38 MAPK signaling pathway in AECOPD patients.