Calcitriol, a form of vitamin D synthesized within the body, can possibly minimize growth-factor-induced HASM proliferation in cells in asthmatic as well as non-asthmatic people.

This finding was reported by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania who also noted that Vitamin D can slow down the progressive decline in breathing ability experienced in asthmatic patients due to human airway smooth muscle (HASM) proliferation.

From Sciencedaily.com:

With its anti-inflammatory qualities and its ability to inhibit smooth muscle proliferation, Dr. Damera said, calcitriol may become an important new therapy, used alone or in combination with already prescribed steroids, for treating steroid-resistant asthma.

Dr. Damera and his colleagues have also conducted experiments to determine the mechanism by which calcitriol retards HASM proliferation. They believe the vitamin works by inhibiting activation of distinct set of proteins responsible for cell-cycle progression.

The investigators have also conducted experiments to determine whether calcitriol, which is currently used to treat psoriasis, could be an effective therapy for COPD. Although preliminary, their data shows that calcitriol appears to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine secretions in COPD. As with asthma, the researchers believe, calcitriol may also have the added benefit of slowing, if not stopping, the progression of airway remodeling. Others in the field believe calcitriol may also have the potential to inhibit the development and growth of several types of cancer.

A randomized control trial of calcitriol in patients with severe asthma with expectations of trial data in a year’s time is now being planned by the researchers as a part of the University of Pennsylvania’s Airway Biology Initiative.

Tags:  asthma, calcitriol, HASM, psoriasis, Steroids, Vitamin D

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