Previous studies suggest that intestinal vitamin D receptor (VDR) signaling plays a role in modulating the immune response in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Researchers from Houston Methodist, MD Anderson Cancer Center and Baylor College of Medicine collaborated to further study the relationship of VDRs and chronic inflammation associated with IBD.

A pilot study looking at the relationship between VDR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), vitamin D levels and IBD activity, showed higher vitamin D levels in patients who were in remission, when compared to vitamin D levels in patients with active inflammation. There were no differences in mutations of the VDR SNPs associated with endoscopic IBD activity. These results, published in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, suggest that the impact of VDR gene SNP on disease activity may be overcome with vitamin D replacement therapy.

For details on the study, see Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, November 9, 2020.