VDR GENE POLYMORPHISMS: THE INDEPENDENT LINK TO ASTHMA

ABSTRACT

Vitamin D is synthesized in the body via the action of UV light on the skin or obtained from dietary sources and supplements. It helps the body regulate calcium and phosphate levels, plays a critical role in the development of immunity against infectious diseases and several studies have suggested a link between vitamin D supplementation and prevention of colon, prostate and breast cancers. Low levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D have also been implicated in the development of pulmonary diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia and viral/bacterial upper respiratory tract infections.
Asthma, a chronic inflammatory condition involving the lower airways, has become exceedingly prevalent in Pakistan. According to a study conducted in 2014, the prevalence of asthma is 14.7% among children between 3-7 years of age, with an overall prevalence of 23% for wheezing in the pediatric age group. Since the prevalence of asthma has grown, the factors that influence asthma development as well as the implications of those findings need to be explored in detail.
Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms have been studied to determine their association with asthma risk, development and severity. However, even though multiple studies have been carried out to determine an association, the results are inconclusive and unclear. The purpose of this review article is to go through the vast amount of literature published online, summarize it and discuss the reasons why the results found may be inconclusive.

KEYWORDS:

Vitamin D, Vitamin D3 receptor, Calcitriol, Asthma

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