The Effect Of Vitamin D On Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

BACKGROUND:Vitamin D is a the extensive biological behavior of the fat-soluble vitamin. Active form combined its receptors play anti-infective, anti-proliferative and immunomodulatory role.Vitamin D exerts biological effects via binding to the vitamin D receptor that located in the cell. It has been well documented that the vitamin D receptor, which is widely presented in a variety of tissue cells such as neutrophils and lymphocytes, is involved in the physiological and pathological processes of chronic diseases. Previous studies have suggested that vitamin D is mainly involved in regulating the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus. However, recent advances in the understanding of vitamin D indicate that vitamin D also anticipates in the development of many chronic diseases. At present, vitamin D deficiency is considered as a severe global public health problem, and it is estimated that approximately1billion people is now suffering from vitamin D deficiency. There is emerging evidence that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of diverse chronic diseases, including cancer, lung diseases, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, a prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is mainly observed in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Mechanism studies suggest that the main ways for vitamin D deficiency to anticipate the process of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is to reduce the lung function and to increase the risk of respiratory tract infection.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of vitamin D on COPD.METHODS:Literatures focusing on the effects of vitamin D deficiency on COPD were reviewed, and systematic analyses of concerned topics were performed, including characterization of vitamin D, current situation of vitamin D deficiency, and effects of vitamin D deficiency on COPD.DESIGN:Review.CONCLUSION(S):Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in patients with COPD, suggesting that vitamin D deficiency is correlated with the development of COPD. Vitamin D deficiency is involved in diverse aspects of COPD, including inflammation, immune regulation, balance between protease and anti-protease. Furthermore, vitamin D deficiency is closely related with the acute exacerbation of COPD. The treatment for vitamin D deficiency will facilitate the therapy of COPD.