The role of vitamin D in gastrointestinal inflammation and novel therapeutic strategies for inflammatory bowel disease

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K05940
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 38050:Food sciences-related
• Research Institution: Okayama Gakuin University (2023); Iryo Sosei University (2021-2022); Toyama Prefectural University (2020)
• Principal Investigator: Okada Tadashi 岡山学院大学, 人間生活学部, 講師 (30623855)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 榊 利之 富山県立大学, 工学部, 研究員 (70293909) ; 橘高 敦史 帝京大学, 薬学部, 教授 (00214833)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ビタミンD / 炎症性腸疾患

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Blood vitamin D levels are correlated with the risk of various diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Previous reports have suggested that vitamin D administration is effective in preventing or treating IBD. However, other reports have demonstrated the limited effect of vitamin D administration on IBD. Thus, the benefits of vitamin D for patients with IBD remain unclear. In this study, we investigated whether vitamin D was effective as a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for IBD using a dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis mouse model. Rectal administration of vitamin D3 and a vitamin D analog suppressed the development of colitis, whereas oral administration was ineffective. Our results suggest that vitamin D and its analog might be promising therapeutic agents against IBD.

Free Research Field

生化学　栄養学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

炎症性腸疾患は20～30歳代に発症者が多く、また、一度発症すると完治せず、寛解と再燃を繰り返し、慢性的な経過をたどるため、就労・結婚・妊娠・出産といったライフイベントに大きな影響を与える疾患である。このため副作用が少なく安価な新規治療薬・予防薬の開発は意義深いと考えられる。