Evaluation of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 pathway in patients with chronic urticaria.

BACKGROUND

Previous studies showed the role of vitamin D (Vit D) on the progression of chronic urticaria. To the best of our knowledge, there are no other results regarding the contribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) genes in chronic urticaria (CU).

AIM: In the present study, we investigated the Vit pathway and the association between VDR and VDBP gene polymorphisms and CU risk in Iranian population.

METHODS

All participating individuals in the present study were evaluated for serum Vit D and VDBP concentration VDR rs1544410 and rs2228570 and VDBP rs7041using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. The associations of studied analytes and three SNPs with clinical and laboratory outcomes were investigated in CU patients.

RESULTS

Patients with CU showed lower Vit D compared to controls (19.26 ± 1.26 vs. 31.72 ± 7.14 ng/ml, P-value = 0.006). There was a significant correlation between Vit D levels and urticaria activity score. Serum VDBP was significantly higher in CU patients than controls (1317.3 ± 183.71 vs. 395.77 ± 12.96 µg/ml, P-value <0.0001) and had a positive correlation to progression of CU. The A allele of this polymorphism might be a potential risk factor for progression of CU [odds ratio 4.3434, 95% confidence interval (1.7331-10.8852), Z-statistic = 3.133, P-value = 0.0017].

CONCLUSION

In summary, this study demonstrated that change in Vit D pathway in the level of gene or protein may be a risk factor for progression of CU.