This is a very important study, since it shows that vitamin D supplementation can actually suppress the inflammation associated with type 1 diabetes, and thereby help to limit or prevent the progression of the disease.
New study finds vitamin D supplementation suppresses inflammation in patients with type 1 diabetesWhat they wanted to know was if vitamin D affected the capacity T regulatory cells (Tregs) to suppress Inflammation, and secondarily, whether vitamin D would have any effect on insulin requirements, HgA1C and other parameters. Treg suppressive capacity is the subject of numerous academic investigation as it is thought that improving Treg suppressive capacity may help prevent T1D from progressing.
They found vitamin D significantly improved Treg suppressive capacity (reduction in Teffs proliferation in the presence of autologous Tregs). Within the treatment group, suppressive capacity increased after 3 months (p=0.049), 6 months (p<0.001) and 12 months (p=0.002); whereas in the placebo group, suppressive capacity decreased from baseline to 12 month follow up (p=0.012). Treatment did not affect HgA1C. However, insulin requirements significantly increased in the placebo group compared to baseline (p<0.001) but did not change in the treatment group.
The authors concluded,
“Cholecalciferol supplementation after T1D onset is able to improve suppressive capacity of regulatory T cells but does not alter circulating . . . Tregs. This randomized controlled trial confirms the potential of vitamin D in immunomodulation of T1D disease progression and recommends cholecalciferol as one possible agent in the development of combination therapies for T1D.”
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