PMID: 

Int Immunol. 2020 Mar 27. Epub 2020 Mar 27. PMID: 32219308

Abstract Title: 

Diversity of energy metabolism in immune responses regulated by microorganisms and dietary nutrition.

Abstract: 

Immune metabolism has been recognized as a new paradigm in the regulation of host immunity. In the environment, there are many microorganisms including pathogenic and non-pathogenic and/or beneficial ones. Immune cells exhibit various responses against different types of microbes, which seem to be associated with changes in energy metabolism. In addition, dietary nutrition influences host metabolism and consequent responses by immune cells. In this review, we describe the complex network of immune metabolism from the perspectives of nutrition, microorganisms and host immunity for the control of immunologic health and diseases.

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PMID: 

Nutrients. 2020 Apr 10 ;12(4). Epub 2020 Apr 10. PMID: 32290066

Abstract Title: 

Prevalence of Low Plasma Vitamin B1 in the Stroke Population Admitted to Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of vitamin B1 (VitB1) deficiency in the stroke population admitted to acute inpatient rehabilitation.DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.SETTING: Acute inpatient rehabilitation facility at an academic medical center.PARTICIPANTS: 119 consecutive stroke patients admitted to stroke service from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018.INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma VitB1 level.RESULTS: There were 17 patients (14%; 95% CI 9-22%) with low VitB1 with a range of 2-3 nmol/L, an additional 58 (49%; CI 40-58%) patients had normal low VitB1 with a range of 4-9 nmol/L, twenty-five patients (21%; CI 15-29%) had normal high VitB1 with a range of 10-15 nmol/L, and nineteen patients (16%; CI 10-24%) had high VitB1 with a range of 16-43 nmol/L.CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of patients admitted to the stroke service at an acute rehabilitation facility, there is evidence of thiamine deficiency. Moreover, the data suggest that there is inadequate acute intake of VitB1. Given the role of thiamine deficiency in neurologic function, further study of the role of thiamine optimization in the acute stroke rehabilitation population is warranted.

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PMID: 

Pak J Med Sci. 2020 Mar-Apr;36(3):445-450. PMID: 32292450

Abstract Title: 

Prevalence of Vitamin-D deficiency is related to severity of liver damage in Hepatitis-C patients.

Abstract: 

Objective: Serum Vitamin-D plays pivotal role in inflammatory and infectious diseases; among them liver infections are more distinct. This study was aimed to determine Vitamin-D status in HCV-infected patients and healthy controls in Faisalabad, Pakistan.Methods: We performed randomized cross-sectional study of 74 individuals from 20August, 2017 to 20February 2018 at The University of Faisalabad and Dar us Shifa Clinic, Faisalabad. Fifty-one patients were hepatitis C RNA-PCR positive (22 compensated cirrhotic and 29 decompensated cirrhotic patients). In addition, 23 subjects without liver disease were recruited as healthy control. HCV RNA-PCR was performed by ARTUS® HCV QS-RGQ V1. Vitamin-D levels were measured by chemiluminescence. SPSS version 20 was used for statistical analysis.Results: The mean level of Vitamin-D was significantly lower in HCV patients in compensated and decompensated cirrhotic patients (26.85 ng/mL&20.65 ng/mL respectively) as compared to healthy controls (30.41 ng/mL). This study showed sub optimal level of Vitamin-D in 76.5% of HCV patients. Vitamin-D insufficiency (21-29 ng/mL) as prevalent among healthy individuals (47.8%) as well as in HCV patients (39.2%) (P

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PMID: 

Curr Pharm Des. 2020 Apr 15. Epub 2020 Apr 15. PMID: 32294031

Abstract Title: 

Vitamin D Deficiency and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Abstract: 

Vitamin D is a neurosteroid hormone crucially involved in neurodevelopment. Neural cell proliferation, neurotransmission, oxydative stress and immune function, represent the main mechanisms mediated by vitamin D in the Central Nervous System. Therefore, its deficiency during pregnancy and early childhood may significantly impact on a developing brain, leading to possible adverse neuropsychological outcomes including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Significant vitamin D deficiency is described within children affected by ASD and in pregnant mothers whose offspring will later develop ASD, suggesting a possible role of the hormone as a contributing risk factor in the etiopathogenesis of ASD. We reviewed the actual literature on the potential contributing role of prenatal and early postnatal vitamin D deficiency in ASD etiopathogenesis, at both genetic and environmental level, and the possible effect of vitamin D supplementation in autistic children. Conflicting but promising results emerged on the topic. Further Randomized Controlled Trials studies carried out during pregnancy and early infancy are necessary for better understanding the possible contribution of vitamin D deficiency in the etiopathogenesis of autism and the potential efficacy of the hormone supplementation on the improvement of ASD core symptoms.

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PMID: 

Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Mar 22 ;21(6). Epub 2020 Mar 22. PMID: 32235725

Abstract Title: 

Therapeutic Potential of Volatile Terpenes and Terpenoids from Forests for Inflammatory Diseases.

Abstract: 

Forest trees are a major source of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs). Terpenes and terpenoids are known as the main BVOCs of forest aerosols. These compounds have been shown to display a broad range of biological activities in various human disease models, thus implying that forest aerosols containing these compounds may be related to beneficial effects of forest bathing. In this review, we surveyed studies analyzing BVOCs and selected the most abundant 23 terpenes and terpenoids emitted in forested areas of the Northern Hemisphere, which were reported to display anti-inflammatory activities. We categorized anti-inflammatory processes related to the functions of these compounds into six groups and summarized their molecular mechanisms of action. Finally, among the major 23 compounds, we examined the therapeutic potentials of 12 compounds known to be effective against respiratory inflammation, atopic dermatitis, arthritis, and neuroinflammation among various inflammatory diseases. In conclusion, the updated studies support the beneficial effects of forest aerosols and propose their potential use as chemopreventive and therapeutic agents for treating various inflammatory diseases.

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PMID: 

Cancer Res. 2019 Dec 1 ;79(23):5986-5998. Epub 2019 Nov 5. PMID: 31690667

Abstract Title: 

Vitamin D-VDR Signaling Inhibits Wnt/β-Catenin-Mediated Melanoma Progression and Promotes Antitumor Immunity.

Abstract: 

1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 signals via the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Higher serum vitamin D is associated with thinner primary melanoma and better outcome, although a causal mechanism has not been established. As patients with melanoma commonly avoid sun exposure, and consequent vitamin D deficiencymight worsen outcomes, we interrogated 703 primary melanoma transcriptomes to understand the role of vitamin D-VDR signaling and replicated the findings in The Cancer Genome Atlas metastases.expression was independently protective for melanoma-related death in both primary and metastatic disease. High tumorexpression was associated with upregulation of pathways mediating antitumor immunity and corresponding with higher imputed immune cell scores and histologically detected tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. High-expressing tumors had downregulation of proliferative pathways, notably Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Deleterious lowlevels resulted from promoter methylation and gene deletion in metastases. Vitamin D deficiency (

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PMID: 

Front Nutr. 2019 ;6:166. Epub 2019 Oct 23. PMID: 31709259

Abstract Title: 

Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation and Seasonality on Circulating Cytokines in Adolescents: Analysis of Data From a Feasibility Trial in Mongolia.

Abstract: 

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in human populations and has been linked to immune dysfunction. Here we explored the effects of cholecalciferol supplementation on circulating cytokines in severely vitamin D deficient [blood 25(OH)D

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PMID: 

Klin Lab Diagn. 2019 ;64(12):753-757. PMID: 32040900

Abstract Title: 

[Determination of some indicators of immunity and lipoperoxidation in the oral fluid in persons with a low vitamin D level.]

Abstract: 

Oral fluid is a unique biological environment, containing a wide range of substances, coming from local and systemic sources, which makes it possible to use it as an object for assessing pathological changes in the body both at the local and systemic levels. In comparison with the traditional method of blood analysis, the advantage of evaluating the parameters of the oral fluid is the non-invasive of this method of obtaining material. All patients underwent oral fluid sampling using special plastic containers with a swab, which facilitate the selection of material, eliminating the penetration of mucin into a clean test sample, which helps to obtain more accurate analysis results. The amount of secretory IgA, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), TBA-active products, the level of total antioxidant activity in the oral fluid in individuals with a low level of 25(OH)D before and after taking the native solution of vitamin D"Aqua Trim"were determined. The concentrations of secretory immunoglobulin A, lipopolysaccharide, binding protein and the level of total antioxidant activity are reduced in the oral fluid of people with vitamin D deficiency, but the number of intermediate products of lyoperoxidation increases. The course intake of the native solution of vitamin D (International Nonproprietary Name – Colecalciferol) normalizes the functioning of the immunity of the oral cavity and restores the balance of the"lipid peroxidation-antioxidants"system.

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PMID: 

High Alt Med Biol. 2020 Mar ;21(1):37-44. Epub 2019 Nov 25. PMID: 31765244

Abstract Title: 

Ecological Evidence for Lower Risk of Lymphoma with Greater Exposure to Sunlight and Higher Altitude.

Abstract: 

Sunlight exposure increases vitamin D-related immune modulation and motility of T lymphocytes. Blue light exposure from the sun can stimulate immune function and help promote healthy circadian rhythm. Hence, greater sunlight exposure may lower the risk of Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Altitude may also lower the risk of these cancers through an oxygen-related mechanism, and because cosmic radiation has less shield from the atmosphere at higher levels, it allows for radiation hormesis.An ecological study design was used, with county-level lymphoma, sunlight, altitude, urban residency, poverty, smoking, obesity, and leisure-time physical inactivity data for 16 cancer registries (607 counties) in the contiguous United States, 2012-2016. Relative rate estimates were derived from two-level mixed effects Poisson regression models.Higher rates of NHL are associated with being older, male, and white. Higher rates of Hodgkin lymphoma are associated with ages 20 years and older, male, and white or black. The risk of NHL or Hodgkin lymphoma is lower among those living in poverty. Urban residency, smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity are not associated with these cancers. Both increased sunlight exposure and higher altitude are simultaneously associated with lower rates of Hodgkin lymphoma and NHL in adjusted models. The inverse association between sunlight and NHL is more pronounced with higher altitude. The inverse association between sunlight and Hodgkin lymphoma is only in altitudes below 500 m.Greater sunlight exposure and higher altitude are simultaneously associated with lower rates of Hodgkin lymphoma and NHL. The inverse associations are dependent on altitude, with the relationship only in lower altitudes for Hodgkin lymphoma and more pronounced in higher altitude for NHL.

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PMID: 

Nat Rev Immunol. 2019 11 ;19(11):688-701. Epub 2019 Jun 18. PMID: 31213673

Abstract Title: 

Photoimmunology: how ultraviolet radiation affects the immune system.

Abstract: 

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a ubiquitous component of the environment that has important effects on a wide range of cell functions. Short-wavelength UVB radiation induces sunburn and is a potent immunomodulator, yet longer-wavelength, lower-energy UVA radiation also has effects on mammalian immunity. This Review discusses current knowledge regarding the mechanisms by which UV radiation can modify innate and adaptive immune responses and how this immunomodulatory capacity can be both beneficial in the case of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and detrimental in the case of skin cancer and the response to several infectious agents.

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