Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Vitamin D deficiency: study of prevalence and relationship with autoimmunity

• Grant number: 12/20984-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2013
• End date: February 29, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Denise Engelbrecht Zantut Wittmann
• Grantee: Denise Engelbrecht Zantut Wittmann
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Ilka Mara Borges Botelho ; Sarah Monte Alegre

Abstract

Hashimoto´s Thyroiditis (HT), one of the autoimmune thyroid disorders, is a disease due to the association between genetic predisposition, cellular autoimmune response manifestation and exposure to environmental factors.Cellular immunity occurs from the activation of Th1 cells (T helper 1 cells) with the production of cytokines, among which INF-³, TNF-± and IL-2 play an important role.Recent studies have shown the presence of a new class of Th cells - the Th-17. This class is composed by lynphocytes TCD4+ that secrete cytokines IL-17 and IL-23 which are present in high concentration on autoimmune diseases, especially in HT.In the last years vitamin D has been pointed out as an important immune response regulator beyond the well known functions in calcium homeostasis and bone formation/reabsorption. Studies have shown a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and the presence of autoimmune diseases such as HT. It´s possible that the autoimmune process in HT is inhibited in its different stages by vitamin D on its active form (25(OH)2D3). However, it´s not well known if this vitamin deficiency would be the cause or consequence of HT or even if its adequate reposition could prevent the onset of this disease. Further studies become necessary for further understanding of the subject.This project aims to study the alterations in vitamin D presented in patients with Hashimoto´s Thyroiditis, thus the cytokines involved in the development of this disease. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BORGES BOTELHO, ILKA MARA; NETO, ARNALDO MOURA; SILVA, CONCEICAO APARECIDA; TAMBASCIA, MARCOS ANTONIO; ALEGRE, SARAH MONTE; ZANTUT-WITTMANN, DCNISC ENGELBRECHT. Vitamin D in Hashimoto's thyroiditis and its relationship with thyroid function and inflammatory status. ENDOCRINE JOURNAL, v. 65, n. 10, p. 1029-1037, 2018. (12/20984-2)