Immunology and vitamin D
The key role of vitamin D in calcium metabolism and bone health is well known in medicine. There are also many research data on the immunomodulatory effect of vitamin D and its impact on the development of autoimmune diseases. Depending on the exposure to UV-light and consequently serum concentrations of vitamin D, there is higher incidence of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis and type I diabetes mellitus in some parts of the world. Although much is known about the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, the exact etiopathogenic mechanism of vitamin D in these processes has not been fully elucidated. In this paper the main characteristics of vitamin D are described with more detailed clarification on the impact of vitamin D on the immune system and the development of systemic connective tissue diseases.
Key words:
autoimmune diseases; immunomodulatory effect; vitamin D
OGLASI
