cholecalciferol and Lupus-Nephritis

The course of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease, is markedly affected by hormones such as estrogen and prolactin. It is well known that heavy exposure to sunlight has deleterious effects on SLE, triggering episodes of the disease. Classical explanations for this occurrence suggest that UV radiation damages DNA, which becomes immunogenic, or induces exposure of the Ro antigen in keratinocytes. In recent years, it has been shown that vitamin D3 has important effects on the immune system. Thus, we proposed an alternative hypothesis, suggesting that UV radiation, by promoting vitamin D3 synthesis, could be a factor aggravating the course of SLE after exposure to sunlight. To test this hypothesis, we injected F1(NZBxW) mice, which are prone to developing SLE, with vitamin D3, and we demonstrated a worsening of the histopathological findings in the kidney.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Antinuclear; Cholecalciferol; Disease Progression; Female; Immune System; Kidney Glomerulus; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Lupus Nephritis; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred NZB; Severity of Illness Index; Sunlight; Ultraviolet Rays

To study possible correction of bone disorders (osteopenia, Ca/P-imbalance, bone pain, limited volume of indolent movements) which are still a serious complication associated with renal diseases and pathogenic therapy (steroids).. The bone disorders were treated in 10 uremic hemodialyzed patients (8 men, 2 women; group 1) with vitamin D3 (calcitriol made in Russia) + rhEPO (recormon; Boehringer Mannheim), in 15 patients (15 women, 0 men) with lupus-nephritis (group 2) with vitamin D3 (n = 5, group 2a) or miscalcic (Sandoz) (n = 10, group 2b), in 2 patients (2 men, 0 women) with glomerulonephritis (group 3) with vitamin D3 + miacalcic. Additionally all the patients received Ca salts. In groups 2 and 3 renal function was normal. The duration of the treatment was 3-6 months.. In all the groups we obtained an analgetic effect (attenuation of bone pain and more indolent movements), improvement of life quality, diminished need in analgetics, elevation of serum Ca level (p > 0.05).. Treatment of renal patients with bone affection with vitamin D3 and miacalcic has an analgetic effect, improves life quality.

Topics: Adult; Analgesics; Bone Diseases; Calcitonin; Calcium; Cholecalciferol; Drug Therapy, Combination; Erythropoietin; Female; Glomerulonephritis; Humans; Lupus Nephritis; Male; Middle Aged; Quality of Life; Recombinant Proteins; Renal Dialysis; Treatment Outcome; Uremia