Vitamin D levels low in RRMS, lower in relapses, OK in PPMS, and affect T cell activities

Evidence suggests that lack of vitamin D plays a role in the development of MS and may affect disease activity (e.g., relapses) as well. A new study conducted in Argentina extends our knowledge about vitamin D in MS by measuring blood levels in MS subjects and controls and assessing vitamin D's effects on T cells.

Subjects with relapsing-remitting MS had lower D levels than controls, and levels were even lower in subjects having a relapse. However, vitamin D levels in subjects with primary progressive MS were similar to those in controls. (Hmmm, that's interesting!) Exposing T cell cultures to vitamin D resulted in a shift away from an inflammatory profile to a regulatory/modulatory profile. These findings suggest that an increased focus on bringing vitamin D levels up may be helpful for people with RRMS.