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Berry SPDG, Honkpèhedji YJ, Ludwig E, Mahmoudou S, Prodjinotho UF, Adamou R, Nouatin OP, Adégbitè BR, Dejon-Agobe JC, Mba RB, Maloum M, Nkoma AMM, Zinsou JF, Luty AJF, Esen M, Adégnika AA, Prazeres da Costa C. Impact of helminth infections during pregnancy on maternal and newborn Vitamin D and on birth outcomes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14845. [PMID: 38937587 PMCID: PMC11211496 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65232-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Poor birth outcomes in low- and middle income countries are associated with maternal vitamin D deficiency and chronic helminth infections. Here, we investigated whether maternal Schistosoma haematobium affects maternal or cord vitamin D status as well as birth outcomes. In a prospective cross-sectional study of pregnant women conducted in Lambaréné, Gabon, we diagnosed maternal parasitic infections in blood, urine and stool. At delivery we measured vitamin D in maternal and cord blood. S. haematobium, soil-transmitted helminths, and microfilariae were found at prevalences of 30.2%, 13.0%, and 8.8%, respectively. Insufficient vitamin D and calcium levels were found in 28% and 15% of mothers, and in 11.5% and 1.5% of newborns. Mothers with adequate vitamin D had lower risk of low birthweight babies (aOR = 0.11, 95% CI 0.02-0.52, p = 0.01), whilst offspring of primipars had low cord vitamin D levels, and low vitamin D levels increased the risk of maternal inflammation. Maternal filariasis was associated with low calcium levels, but other helminth infections affected neither vitamin D nor calcium levels in either mothers or newborns. Healthy birth outcomes require maintenance of adequate vitamin D and calcium levels. Chronic maternal helminth infections do not disrupt those levels in a semi-rural setting in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sèyigbéna P Déo-Gracias Berry
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Trogerstrasse 30, 81675, Munich, Germany
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Center for Global Health, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Yabo Josiane Honkpèhedji
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Institut Für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Fondation Pour La Recherche Scientifique (FORS), Cotonou, Benin
| | - Esther Ludwig
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Trogerstrasse 30, 81675, Munich, Germany
- Center for Global Health, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | | | - Ulrich Fabien Prodjinotho
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Trogerstrasse 30, 81675, Munich, Germany
- Center for Global Health, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Rafiou Adamou
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
| | - Odilon P Nouatin
- Institut de Recherche Clinique du Bénin (IRCB), Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Bayode R Adégbitè
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Institut Für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jean Claude Dejon-Agobe
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Institut Für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Romuald Beh Mba
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
| | | | | | - Jeannot Fréjus Zinsou
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Institut Für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Fondation Pour La Recherche Scientifique (FORS), Cotonou, Benin
| | | | - Meral Esen
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Institut Für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ayôla Akim Adégnika
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Lambaréné, Gabon
- Institut Für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Fondation Pour La Recherche Scientifique (FORS), Cotonou, Benin
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Clarissa Prazeres da Costa
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Trogerstrasse 30, 81675, Munich, Germany.
- Center for Global Health, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Munich, Munich, Germany.
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Ding YJ, Li XN, Xiao Z, Li CY, Jia LH. Low vitamin D during pregnancy is associated with infantile eczema by up-regulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and affecting FOXP3 expression: A bidirectional cohort study. J Nutr Biochem 2024; 124:109516. [PMID: 37925089 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2023.109516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Vitamin D has received increasing attention because of its association with atopic disease development. Limited studies that have been done on the impact of maternal vitamin D levels during pregnancy on infantile eczema are still debatable. We wanted to discover the effect of maternal vitamin D on infantile eczema and explore whether regulatory T cells (Treg) play a role in this process. 219 pairs of mothers and children were enrolled. Maternal fasting venous blood was collected in pregnancy's second and third trimesters to determine vitamin D levels. Cord blood and placenta samples were collected during childbirth for detecting levels of genes, proteins and cytokines. Pediatricians followed up the prevalence of eczema in infants within 1 year. The reported rate of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was 35.6% and 28.3%. Lower maternal 25(OH)D3 levels were related to a higher risk of infantile eczema. Foxp3 gene expression is lower in cord blood of infants with eczema compared to infants without eczema. There was a positive correlation between maternal 25(OH)D3 levels and the expression of FOXP3 gene in cord blood. Compared to vitamin D sufficiency women, vitamin D deficiency women's placental FOXP3 protein expression was decreased and PI3K/AKT/mTOR protein was up-regulated. Our study demonstrates that low prenatal maternal vitamin D levels increased the risk of infantile eczema aged 0-1 year, which might be related to the downregulating of the FOXP3 gene expression in cord blood and decreased placental FOXP3 protein expression. Low placental FOXP3 protein was related with activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Jie Ding
- Huizhou Institute for Occupational Health, Huizhou, China; Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Obesity and Glucose/Lipid Associated Metabolic Diseases, Shenyang, China
| | - Xue-Ning Li
- Department of Pediatrics, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhe Xiao
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Obesity and Glucose/Lipid Associated Metabolic Diseases, Shenyang, China
| | - Chen-Yang Li
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Obesity and Glucose/Lipid Associated Metabolic Diseases, Shenyang, China
| | - Li-Hong Jia
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Obesity and Glucose/Lipid Associated Metabolic Diseases, Shenyang, China.
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Santa K, Watanabe K, Kumazawa Y, Nagaoka I. Phytochemicals and Vitamin D for a Healthy Life and Prevention of Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12167. [PMID: 37569540 PMCID: PMC10419318 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
A variety of phytocompounds contained in medical plants have been used as medication, including Kampo (traditional Japanese) medicine. Phytochemicals are one category of the chemical compounds mainly known as antioxidants, and recently, their anti-inflammatory effects in preventing chronic inflammation have received much attention. Here, we present a narrative review of the health-promotion and disease-prevention effects of phytochemicals, including polyphenols, the latter of which are abundant in onions, oranges, tea, soybeans, turmeric, cacao, and grapes, along with the synergetic effects of vitamin D. A phenomenon currently gaining popularity in Japan is finding non-disease conditions, so-called ME-BYO (mibyou) and treating them before they develop into illnesses. In addition to lifestyle-related diseases such as metabolic syndrome and obesity, dementia and frailty, commonly found in the elderly, are included as underlying conditions. These conditions are typically induced by chronic inflammation and might result in multiple organ failure or cancer if left untreated. Maintaining gut microbiota is important for suppressing (recently increasing) intestinal disorders and for upregulating immunity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the interest in phytochemicals and vitamin D for disease prevention increased, as viral and bacterial infection to the lung causes fatal inflammation, and chronic inflammation induces pulmonary fibrosis. Furthermore, sepsis is a disorder inducing severe organ failure by the infection of microbes, with a high mortality ratio in non-coronary ICUs. However, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) working using natural immunity suppress sepsis at the early stage. The intake of phytochemicals and vitamin D enhances anti-inflammatory effects, upregulates immunity, and reduces the risk of chronic disorders by means of keeping healthy gut microbiota. Evidence acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that daily improvement and prevention of underlying conditions, in terms of lifestyle-related diseases, is very important because they increase the risk of infectious diseases. This narrative review discusses the importance of the intake of phytochemicals and vitamin D for a healthy lifestyle and the prevention of ME-BYO, non-disease conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Santa
- Department of Biotechnology, Tokyo College of Biotechnology, Ota-ku, Tokyo 114-0032, Japan;
| | - Kenji Watanabe
- Center for Kampo Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
- Yokohama University of Pharmacy, Yokohama 245-0066, Japan
| | - Yoshio Kumazawa
- Vino Science Japan Inc., Kawasaki 210-0855, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biomedicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Isao Nagaoka
- Department of Biochemistry and Systems Biomedicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
- Faculty of Medical Science, Juntendo University, Urayasu 279-0013, Japan
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Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome by Phytochemicals and Vitamin D. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032627. [PMID: 36768946 PMCID: PMC9917154 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, attention has focused on the roles of phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables in maintaining and improving the intestinal environment and preventing metabolic syndrome. A high-fat and high-sugar diet, lack of exercise, and excess energy accumulation in the body can cause metabolic syndrome and induce obesity, diabetes, and disorders of the circulatory system and liver. Therefore, the prevention of metabolic syndrome is important. The current review shows that the simultaneous intake of phytochemicals contained in citruses and grapes together with vitamin D improves the state of gut microbiota and immunity, preventing metabolic syndrome and related diseases. Phytochemicals contained in citruses include polyphenols such as hesperidin, rutin, and naringin; those in grapes include quercetin, procyanidin, and oleanolic acid. The intake of these phytochemicals and vitamin D, along with prebiotics and probiotics, nurture good gut microbiota. In general, Firmicutes are obese-prone gut microbiota and Bacteroidetes are lean-prone gut microbiota; good gut microbiota nurture regulatory T cells, which suppress inflammatory responses and upregulate immunity. Maintaining good gut microbiota suppresses TNF-α, an inflammatory cytokine that is also considered to be a pathogenic contributor adipokine, and prevents chronic inflammation, thereby helping to prevent metabolic syndrome. Maintaining good gut microbiota also enhances adiponectin, a protector adipokine that prevents metabolic syndrome. For the prevention of metabolic syndrome and the reduction of various disease risks, the intake of phytochemicals and vitamin D will be important for human health in the future.
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Hu J, Wu Z, Wang H, Geng H, Huo J, Zhu X, Zhu X. Vitamin D Ameliorates Apoptosis and Inflammation by Targeting the Mitochondrial and MEK1/2-ERK1/2 Pathways in Hyperoxia-Induced Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia. J Inflamm Res 2022; 15:4891-4906. [PMID: 36046664 PMCID: PMC9423049 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s371906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common and severe complication in preterm infants. Vitamin D (VitD) has been reported to protect against BPD; however, its role in the mitochondria-mediated and MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathways has not yet been reported. Methods We first performed in vivo studies using neonatal C57BL/6 mice in which we induced BPD by exposing them to a hyperoxic environment (85% O2). The mice were divided into room air (RA; 21% O2), RA+VitD, BPD, and BPD+VitD groups. Hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining were used to evaluate lung injury. Inflammation and apoptosis were measured using ELISA, RT-qPCR, and TUNEL assays. We then analyzed BEAS-2B cells divided into the same groups along with an additional BPD+VitD+inhibitor group. Mitochondrial apoptosis was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy, mitochondrial membrane potential, and Western blotting. We then used VDR-shRNA to silence the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) in the BEAS-2B cells. The inflammation, apoptotic rate, and the phosphorylated forms of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in cells were detected by RT-qPCR, flow cytometry, and Western blotting. Results The mean linear intercept, septal thickness, and abnormal fibrosis increased, while radial alveolar count decreased in BPD lungs compared to RA lungs. VitD administration was able to ameliorate the phenotype in BPD lungs. IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α expression and the apoptotic rate decreased in the BPD+VitD lung group. VitD pretreatment restored abnormal mitochondrial morphology, reduced mitochondrial membrane loss, and reduced the expression of cleaved caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 in BEAS-2B cells. VitD administration also reduced IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α mRNA, as well as pMEK1/2 and pERK1/2 expression and apoptosis rate in cells exposed to hyperoxia. Conclusion We concluded that VitD treatment ameliorated apoptosis and inflammation by targeting the mitochondrial pathway and via the MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signaling pathway in BPD, thus supporting its potential therapeutic use in this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhui Hu
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Neonatal Medical Center, Huai'an Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhixin Wu
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Huawei Wang
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Haifeng Geng
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Huo
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China.,Department of Neonatology, Yangzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Yangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueping Zhu
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoli Zhu
- Department of Intervention, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
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Ma JG, Wu GJ, Xiao HL, Xiao YM, Zha L. Vitamin D has an effect on airway inflammation and Th17/Treg balance in asthmatic mice. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2021; 37:1113-1121. [PMID: 34460994 DOI: 10.1002/kjm2.12441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is regarded as a chronic inflammation of the airway. Research has highlighted the significance of Vitamin D in asthma. This study explored the mechanism of vitamin D on asthma. The asthma mouse model was established by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and treated with vitamin D (50 or 100 ng/ml). The morphological changes of the airway were observed by HE staining. The serum IgE contents and MDA, ROS, and SOD expressions in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by ELISA. The Th17 and Treg cells were detected using flow cytometry. The RORγt and Foxp 3 expressions were detected by Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). IL-17, IL-10, and TGF-β1 expressions were detected using ELISA. The NF-κB pathway was blocked using the NF-κB pathway inhibitor, Andrographolide sulfonate. The NF-κB pathway-related indexes were detected by western blotting. After blockade of the NF-κB pathway, the IL-17, IL-10, and TGF-G1 expressions were detected. OVA-sensitized asthma induced airway remodeling and elevated IgE content in mice, which was downregulated after vitamin D treatment. MDA and ROS were upregulated and SOD was downregulated in asthmatic mice, while vitamin D inverted the changes. Th17/Treg ratio was imbalanced, RORγt and IL-17 were upregulated, and Foxp 3, IL-10, and TGF-β1 were downregulated after OVA sensitization, while vitamin D treatment inverted these changes and inhibited the NF-κB-p65 phosphorylation level. After blockade of the NF-κB pathway, IL-17 was downregulated and IL-10 and TGF-β1 were upregulated. In conclusion, vitamin D rectified the Th17/Treg balance and alleviated airway inflammation by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway in asthmatic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Guo Ma
- Department of Pediatric, Puren Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Guang-Ji Wu
- Department of Pediatric, Puren Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hong-Li Xiao
- Department of Pediatric, Puren Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yan-Min Xiao
- Department of Pediatric, Puren Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Lin Zha
- Department of Pediatric, Puren Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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