Publication:

Serum vitamin D and vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism in Moroccan patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Background Vitamin D plays an important role in the immunomodulation and could be involved in the development of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). The study of the polymorphism of the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene may be of interest in explaining the pathophysiology of SLE.

Methods In this study, we aimed to examine the characteristics of VDR gene BsmI polymorphism for the first time in Moroccan patients with SLE and their relationship with clinical manifestations of the disease. We also measured the serum level of 25-hyroxyvitamin D3 to assess its relation to such polymorphism.

Results The study included 66 SLE patients and 91 healthy controls. Our results showed that there were no differences observed in VDR genotypes and allelic distribution within the two groups. Both groups were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, with no significant P values for the observed and expected genotype frequencies. 25-hyroxyvitamin D3 serum levels were the same in the two groups.

Conclusions Based on the results of the present study. We cannot verify any association between VDR gene BsmI polymorphism and SLE. This polymorphism could not be regarded as a genetic marker of the SLE. A larger study examining BsmI and other VDR gene polymorphisms is needed.