Author/Authors :
Zhang, Xingxing Central South University - Second Xiangya Hospital, Children’s Medical Center - Division of Pediatric Nephrology, China , Wu, Xiaochuan Central South University - Second Xiangya Hospital, Children’s Medical Center - Division of Pediatric Nephrology, China , Xiong, Lan Central South University - Second Xiangya Hospital, Children’s Medical Center - Division of Pediatric Nephrology, China , Yi, Zhuwen Central South University - Second Xiangya Hospital, Children’s Medical Center - Division of Pediatric Nephrology, China , He, Qingnan Central South University - Second Xiangya Hospital, Children’s Medical Center - Division of Pediatric Nephrology, China , He, Xiaojie Central South University - Second Xiangya Hospital, Children’s Medical Center - Division of Pediatric Nephrology, China , Mo, Shuanghong Central South University - Second Xiangya Hospital, Children’s Medical Center - Division of Pediatric Nephrology, China
Abstract :
Introduction. Dysregulation of CD4+ T cell subsets participates in the pathogenesis of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). Vitamin D has immunomodulatory functions. This study aims to investigate the regulatory effect of vitamin D3 on T helper-regulatory T (Th17-Treg) cells balance in rats with IgAN. Materials and Methods. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to a normal group (n = 6), an IgAN model group (n = 5), a prednisone treatment IgAN group (n = 6), a 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 IgAN group (n = 6), and prednisone plus 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 treatment group (n = 6). At week 12, the 24-hour urine protein excretion and erythrocyte count and renal pathological changes were determined, and serum interleukin-17 and Treg cell levels were measured in blood. Results. The urine protein content and the number of erythrocytes were lower in the vitamin D group than in the model group (P .01), but higher than in the prednisone groups (P 0.01). The pathological impairments in the glomerular mesangium, renal tubule, and renal interstitium decreased in response to treatment with prednisone with and without 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Serum interleukin-17 level in the vitamin D and prednisone plus vitamin D groups was lower than in the prednisone group (P .05). The Treg cells in the vitamin D and prednisone plus vitamin D groups showed higher levels than in the prednisone group (P .01). Conclusions. Vitamin D3 can regulate the Th17/Treg balance and reduce the level of protein and blood in the urine of rats with IgAN.
Keywords :
cholecalciferol , IgA Glomerulonephritis , T , lymphocytes , rats
