The correlation between vitamin D and levels of IFN-γ, NF-κB, thyroid antibodies in down syndrome: study in Indonesian children.

Abstract

Vitamin D (VD) reduces interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production and prevents nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) activation, impacting the inhibition of the autoimmunity process such as autoimmune thyroiditis (AITD). Children with Down syndrome (DS) are reported to have a higher risk of autoimmunity and lower VD levels than non-DS. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate VD levels in Indonesian DS children and their relationship with marker of AITD. This study was conducted on DS children at Dr Soetomo Hospital between February 2021-June 2022. Socio-demographic status, amount of milk, fish and meat consumption, and duration of sun exposure were obtained using a self-report questionnaire. Thyroid hormone (TSH and FT4), thyroid antibody (TPO-Ab and Tg-Ab), 25 (OH)D, IFN-γ, and NF-κB levels were measured using ELISA. Of the 80 participants, 53.75% had sufficient (50.829±17.713 ng/ml) and 46.25% had non-sufficient (20.606±5.974 ng/ml) VD levels. Daily milk consumption, meat and fish consumption were risk factors contributing to VD levels in multivariate analysis [p=0.003, OR=1.007(1.003-1.012); p=0.004, OR=1.816(1.209- 2.728), respectively]. Participants with sufficient VD had significantly higher TPO-Ab (p=0.007) and Tg-Ab (p=0.016). Mean of VD levels were significantly negatively correlated with IFN-γ levels (r =-0.262, p=0.037) and positively correlated with TPO-Ab (r= 0.432, p=1x10-5,) and Tg-Ab (r= 0.375, p=0.001). Majority of subjects had sufficient VD levels. VD suppresses IFN-g, but is unable to affect NF-κB levels, presumably causing high levels of TPO-Ab and Tg-Ab in sufficient VD patient.