Correlation between serum vitamin D status and immunological changes in children affected by gastrointestinal food allergy

Publication date: Available online 27 July 2017
Source:Allergologia et Immunopathologia
Author(s): H. Guo, Y. Zheng, X. Cai, H. Yang, Y. Zhang, L. Hao, Y. Jin, G. Yang
BackgroundLow vitamin D status is linked to increased incidence of food allergy and intestinal inflammation. Whether vitamin D status is associated with immunological changes in children with gastrointestinal food allergy (GFA) remains unclear.MethodsForty-nine GFA children (aged 2–11 years old) were enrolled in this study. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) level, total immunoglobulin E (IgE), specific IgE against allergens, circulating regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs), and blood eosinophil numbers were measured.ResultsLevels of serum 25OHD in the GFA children ranged 35.5–156.4nmol/L, with a mean value similar to that of the healthy controls. Compared to those with normal 25OHD (≥75nmol/L), GFA children with low 25OHD (<75nmol/L) had increased total IgE (84% vs. 54%, P<0.05), persistent blood eosinophilia (56% vs. 25%, P<0.05), and delayed resolution of symptoms after food allergen elimination (odds ratio 3.51, 95% CI 1.00–12.36, P<0.05). Among the GFA children with elevated total IgE, those with low 25OHD had lower circulatory Tregs (8.79±2.4% vs. 10.21±1.37%, P<0.05), higher total IgE (1197.5±1209.8 vs. 418.5±304.6kU/L, P<0.05), and persistent eosinophilia (0.61±0.52 vs. 0.31±0.15×10⁹cells/L, P<0.05) compared to those with normal 25OHD. In addition, serum 25OHD concentrations inversely correlated with total IgE (R=−0.434, P<0.05), and positively with Treg population (R=0.356, P<0.05).ConclusionLow serum vitamin D status correlates with stronger allergic immune response in GFA children.



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