Role and Importance of Vitamin D in Asthma and Other Allergic Diaseases

Abstract

Vitamin D is a steroid hormone that has important effects on bone metabolism and neuromuscular functions. Recent research has indicated that it also has a role in the development and treatment of allergic diseases by affecting the immune system through different mechanisms. After vitamin D is activated by liver and kidney in the body, it shows its effect by attaching to its receptor on the cell membrane. The vitamin D receptor is expressed on all tissue cells, particularly on those of the respiratory and intestinal epithelium by which extra-skeletal functions of vitamin D such as anti-inflammatory effects and immunomodulation are mediated. As a consequence, it is assumed that vitamin D and its receptor have effects on various systems in the human body. Some researchers suggest that deficiency or excess of vitamin D in the diet causes an increase in asthma and allergic diseases. Therefore, vitamin D supplementation is currently advised by some authors for the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases. It has commonly been reported that vitamin D is particularly found to be useful in preventing asthma attack and in managing resistant asthma. Currently, there has been an increase in the literature regarding the role of vitamin D in the treatment of atopic dermatitis and chronic urticaria-angioedema.