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01-02-2015 | DIAGNOSTICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Vitamin D in primary biliary cirrhosis, a plausible marker of advanced disease

Authors: Nancy Agmon-Levin, Ron Kopilov, Carlo Selmi, Udi Nussinovitch, María Sánchez-Castañón, Marcos López-Hoyos, Howie Amital, Shaye Kivity, Eric M. Gershwin, Yehuda Shoenfeld

Published in: Immunologic Research | Issue 1-2/2015

Abstract

Vitamin D immune-modulating effects were extensively studied, and low levels have been linked with autoimmune diseases. The associations of vitamin D with autoimmune diseases of the liver, and particularly primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), are yet to be defined. Hence, in this study, serum levels of vitamin D were determined in 79 patients with PBC and 70 age- and sex-matched controls by the LIAISON chemiluminescent immunoassays (DiaSorin—Italy). Clinical and serological parameters of patients were analyzed with respect to vitamin D status. Mean levels of vitamin D were significantly lower among patients with PBC compared with controls (16.8 ± 9 vs. 22.1 ± 9 ng/ml; p = 0.029), and vitamin D deficiency (≤10 ng/ml) was documented in 33 % of patients with PBC versus 7 % of controls (p < 0.0001). Vitamin D levels inversely correlated with advanced liver damage and the presence of concomitant autoimmune diseases. In contrast, higher levels of vitamin D were observed among patients with PBC treated with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). In conclusion, low vitamin D levels are common among patients with PBC and correlate with advanced disease, lack of UDCA therapy and autoimmune comorbidity. This alludes to the plausible roles of vitamin D as a prognostic marker of PBC severity, and as a potential player in this disease pathogenesis. While further studies are awaited, monitoring vitamin D in patients with PBC and use of supplements may be advisable.

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Title: Vitamin D in primary biliary cirrhosis, a plausible marker of advanced disease
Authors: Nancy Agmon-Levin
Ron Kopilov
Carlo Selmi
Udi Nussinovitch
María Sánchez-Castañón
Marcos López-Hoyos
Howie Amital
Shaye Kivity
Eric M. Gershwin
Yehuda Shoenfeld
Publication date: 01-02-2015
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Immunologic Research / Issue 1-2/2015
Print ISSN: 0257-277X
Electronic ISSN: 1559-0755
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12026-014-8594-0

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Vitamin D in primary biliary cirrhosis, a plausible marker of advanced disease

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