The Association of Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphisms with Multiple Sclerosis in a Case-Control Study from Kuwait

PLoS One. 2015 Nov 5;10(11):e0142265. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142265. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with several diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS). Several factors influence vitamin D levels and its optimal multi-function maintenance. Our objective was to assess quantifiable variables influencing vitamin D level and metabolism in MS patients from Kuwait. In a case-control study involving 50 MS patients, and 50 healthy control individuals for which plasma vitamin D levels, supplement use, vitamin D receptor (VDR) variants, and skin pigmentation indices were ascertained; we found overall vitamin D levels to be deficient in both groups, and supplement use to be common practice. VDR variants TaqI and BsmI associated with MS risk, and ApaI associated with low disease progression. VDR variant FokI associated with higher vitamin D levels in both groups. We conclude that several quantifiable variables related to vitamin D associate with MS suggesting a possible clinical immuno-modulatory application of vitamin D for MS patients in Kuwait.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Kuwait
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics*
  • Receptors, Calcitriol / genetics*
  • Risk
  • Vitamin D / genetics*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / genetics
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Receptors, Calcitriol
  • VDR protein, human
  • Vitamin D

Grants and funding

This project was funded by the Kuwait University College of Graduate Studies grant no. 212126150, which was awarded to AAE, and in part by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science (http://www.kfas.org/) grant no. 2012-1302-02 awarded to RAT.