Vitamin D3 influence the Th1/Th2 ratio in C57BL/6 induced model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Department of Medical Basic Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran .epartment of Medical Basic Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Tehran, Iran.Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran .Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

4 Department of Medical Basic Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Tehran, Iran

5 Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Objective(s): Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is known as a progressive inflammatory CNS disease. Cytokines belong to Th1 or Th2 family and inflammatory cells, play significant role in pathophysiology of MS. Thus, any treatment supposed to influence the relation between Th1 to Th2 cytokines expression. Although vitamin D has been prescribed as a therapeutic supplement of MS for a long time, it is not clear how much it may affect the Th1/Th2 ratio. To answer this question the present research was designed. 
Materials and Methods: Thirty C57BL/6 adult female mice were used. The animals were randomly divided into trial and control groups. Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) modeling for MS and clinical scoring as cited by others was used. Based on scoring and step of the disease vitamin D3 prescription (5 mg/kg) started and continued for three weeks.
Results: By using ELISA and RT-PCR the brain level of TNF-α, IL-10, IL-4 and IL-12 determined. Significant decrease of clinical symptoms in trial group which received vitamin D was seen comparing to control animals (P<0.05). The level of TNF-α but not IL-10 significantly decreased following vitamin D3 administration. By comparing the level of Th1 and Th2 Interleukins and counting the ratio of them we found that in treated animals the ratio was significantly less than non-treated (P =0.01).
Conclusion: According to the results, vitamin D3 may be able to suppress the inflammatory ways that lead to progression of MS. Whether this ability is clinically valuable in human subjects is not clear and needs more clinical research.

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
Volume 17, Issue 10 - Serial Number 10
October 2014
Pages 785-792

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