Značaj uloge vitamina D kod obolelih od multiple skleroze

Abstract

Etiology of multiple sclerosis is still mostly unknown, but numerous results show interaction of genetic and environmental factors which influence the increased risk for multiple sclerosis. Environmental factors that are considered to parcipitate in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis are the Epstein-Barr viral infection, vitamins D and B12 defficiency and cigarette smoking. Despite the fact that the precise etiology of multiple sclerosis has not yet been established, numerous pathophysiological, experimental, epidemiological, immunological and biological results show that vitamin D hypovitaminosis is one of the most important environmental factors in etiology of multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis prevalence shows very high rate in regions with low vitamin D intake. Immunological studies showed that vitamin D has modulating potential on immunological system and an important role in T lymphocytes homeostasis. In addition to the primary role of vitamin D in calcium and phosphorus metabolism, vitamin D also has immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and potentially neuroprotective functions, which may indicate an important therapeutical effect of vitamin D in autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis. It is particularly important to highlight recent studies that show that treatment of vitamin D defficiency may reduce the disabilities caused by multiple sclerosis. Taking all these results into consideration, we may conclude that the prevention of this desease and health improvement for patients with multiple sclerosis are possible through detection of vitamin D deficiency, its correction and supplementation. Timely detection of risk factors may lead to disease prevention, improved quality of life and health promotion for patients with multiple sclerosis.