Vitamin D deficiency disrupts the development and functioning of the lungs, according to studies in mice, reported in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
According to Dr. Graeme Zosky from the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research in Subiaco, Australia, who participated in the study, earlier observations showed that respiratory diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were more severe in people with too little vitamin D levels in the body. However, there was no evidence that deficiencies were a direct cause of these problems.
Scientists on Dr. Zosky’s team compared the lungs of two-week-old mice deficient in vitamin D and mice with normal levels in the body. It was checked whether they differ in terms of volume, structure and functioning.
For this purpose, a lung plethysmography was performed, which helps to assess the gas flow through the bronchi and lungs (i.e. airway patency) during the inhalation and exhalation phases, and the amount of air remaining in the lungs at the end of a calm exhalation. In order to check the obstruction, i.e. the narrowing of the respiratory tract in rodents, the so-called forced oscillation technique, in which a known (externally forced) pressure value is used during measurements.
They found that mice deficient in vitamin D had lower lung volume than control rodents and greater bronchial obstruction.
The researchers emphasized that the experiments eliminated a significant factor that could obscure the results, i.e. the lack of physical activity. Therefore, this work provides direct evidence that vitamin D deficiency has a negative effect on the growth and development of this organ, resulting in reduced volume and poorer functioning.
The fact that the differences in lung volume and function we observed were significant and physiologically significant raises serious concerns, especially as we become aware of the increasing prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in societies around the world, comments Dr Zosky. In his opinion, the impact of vitamin D deficiency on the susceptibility to obstructive pulmonary diseases such as COPD and asthma is particularly worrying.
The researcher notes, however, that based on these experiences, his team was unable to assess whether the lung problems in mice with too low vitamin D levels were due to their own deficiencies or a consequence of lung development disorders in utero, due to vitamin deficiencies. D at the mother.
According to the specialist, the results of these studies may have a significant impact on the prevention of lung diseases in societies where vitamin D deficiency is widespread.
The richest source of vitamin D in the human body is our skin, in which this compound is formed under the influence of UV rays. However, in winter periods, when sunlight is lower, we are exposed to deficiencies of this vitamin, so you should then increase its content in the diet. It is present in the greatest amounts in marine fish fat, livers and eggs. People who want to take vitamin D in the form of dietary supplements should consult a doctor first, because excess amounts can be toxic. (PAP)