Vitamin D and tuberculosis

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a major global health problem and often coincides with nutritional deficiency. Tuberculosis is a complex and multifactorial disease that is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. Changes in the environment, such as those caused by tobacco smoking as well as geographic and seasonal factors, may cause diseases that contribute to the development of both vitamin D deficiency and tuberculosis. Genetic factors, such as mutations (or deletion) in the vitamin D receptor (VDR), major histocompatibility complex regions, chromosome 20, Toll-like receptors, natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing proteins 2, contribute to both vitamin D status and tuberculosis. The role that vitamin D plays in tuberculosis has also been demonstrated by its effects on Bacillus Calmette Guerin, vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metalloproteinases, prostaglandins, reactive oxygen species, and reactive nitrogen intermediates, in addition to its synergistic effects with some anti-tuberculosis medications. Vitamin D plays a definite role in tuberculosis. Vitamin D itself may affect tuberculosis through the VDRs or may influence tuberculosis through indirect effects.