The Journal of infection
-
The Journal of infection · Nov 2011
ReviewThe role of vitamin D deficiency in sepsis and potential therapeutic implications.
Recent studies have shown that vitamin D has important functions besides bone and calcium homeostasis. Cells of the innate and adaptive immune system express vitamin D receptors and respond to stimulation by 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Patients with sepsis have a high mortality rate as well as a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. ⋯ Vitamin D can enhance the induction of the antimicrobial peptides cathelicidin and β-defensin which are found on mucosal and epithelial surfaces and act as the body's first line of defense against viral and bacterial pathogens. Vitamin D is potentially an attractive therapeutic agent for sepsis given its low cost and low risk of toxicity and side effects. Further prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trials of adjunctive vitamin D therapy in patients who are deficient are needed in the management of human sepsis syndrome.