• Welcome to Crohn's Forum, a support group for people with all forms of IBD. While this community is not a substitute for doctor's advice and we cannot treat or diagnose, we find being able to communicate with others who have IBD is invaluable as we navigate our struggles and celebrate our successes. We invite you to join us.

The effect of vitamin D on intestinal inflammation and faecal microbiota in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Lady Organic

Moderator
Staff member
''The effect of vitamin D on intestinal inflammation and faecal microbiota in patients with ulcerative colitis.''

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29726893

Abstract

Background and Aims:

There is evidence vitamin D may be immunomodulatory and alter faecal microbiota, but results from clinical studies in humans to date have been inconclusive. This study aimed to assess the effect of vitamin D replacement in vitamin D deficient patients with and without ulcerative colitis (UC) on inflammation and faecal microbiota.

Methods:

Vitamin D was replaced over 8 weeks in patients with active UC (defined by faecal calprotectin ≥100 µg/g), inactive UC (faecal calprotectin <100 µg/g), and non-IBD controls with baseline 25(OH) vitamin D <50 nmol/L, and markers of inflammation and faecal microbiota analysed.

Results:

Eight patients with active UC, 9 with inactive UC and 8 non-IBD controls received 40,000 units cholecalciferol weekly for 8 weeks. Mean baseline 25(OH) vitamin D increased from 34 (range 12-49) nmol/L to 111 (71-158) nmol/L (p <0.001), with no difference across the groups (p = 0.32). In patients with active UC, faecal calprotectin levels reduced from median 275 to 111µg/g (p = 0.02), platelet count reduced (mean 375 to 313x10 9/L, p = 0.03), and albumin increased (mean 43 to 45g/L, p = 0.04). These parameters did not change in patients with inactive UC or non-IBD controls. No changes in overall faecal bacterial diversity were noted although a significant increase in Enterobacteriaceae abundance was observed in patients with UC (p = 0.03).


Conclusions:

Vitamin D supplementation was associated with reduced intestinal inflammation in patients with active UC, with a concomitant increase in Enterobacteriaceae but no change in overall faecal microbial diversity.
 
Top