The Hidden Function of Vitamin D.

ABSTRACT

AIM: There are no reports regarding the influence of vitamin D on thymosin ß4 and the cluster of differentiation CD4 levels which are important for maintaining a healthy immune system. Consequently, we aimed to explore this relationship through a study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out on 35 subjects, screened for 25-hydroxy vitamin D[25 (OH) D] using ELISA method and they were divided into two groups Group 1 consists of 10 healthy subjects with sufficient vit. D level > 24.8 ng/ml. Group 2 consists of 25 subjects suffering, severely, from vitamin D deficiency at level < 11.325 ng/ml. Also, Thymosin ß4, CD4 and zinc levels were performed. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups in the concentration levels of thymosin ß4, as the group 1 has shown higher levels (P = 0.005). Whereas, CD4 and zinc levels didn't show any significant difference between the two groups. At the same time, a significant positive correlation has been observed between vitamin D, thymosin ß4, and CD4 at (r = 0.719; P = 0.001), and (r = 0.559, P = 0.001) respectively. CONCLUSION: We concluded that vitamin D may be an essential factor that influence or determine the level of thymosin ß4. This study is the first that focused on demonstrating that sufficient level of vitamin D may have the ability to influence the thymic hormone thymosin ß4 levels. Further studies on large scale of subjects are needed to explore the positive correlation we had found between vitamin D and thymosin ß4 and CD4.