153 Lower Levels of Calcidiol (Vitamin D2) Found in Patients with Vitiligo

Abstract

Vitiligo is an autoimmune depigmenting disorder with a prevalence of 1% worldwide. While the exact pathogenesis of vitiligo remains unclear, it is caused by immune-mediated destruction of melanocytes. Vitamin D is known to have immunomodulatory effects on cells of both the innate and adaptive immune systems, thus deficiency is known to play a role in many autoimmune conditions. In the skin specifically, vitamin D has been shown to stimulate melanogenesis in vitro, and to regulate the activation, proliferation, and migration of melanocytes.