Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Vitamin D Supplementation in the Build-up Phase of House Dust Mite-Specific Immunotherapy.

PURPOSE

Vitamin D (VitD) is an immunomodulatory molecule capable of alleviating allergic symptoms. However, the effectiveness of allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is not commonly evidenced in the early build-up phase. The aim of the study was to determine the potential of VitD supplementation in this treatment phase.

METHODS

Thirty-four house dust mite (HDM)-allergic adult patients treated with subcutaneous AIT were randomized to receive VitD2 60,000 IU/week or placebo for 10 weeks and followed up for 10 weeks. The primary endpoints were the symptom-medication score (SMS) and the treatment response rate. The secondary endpoints were eosinophil count and levels of plasma IL-10, Der p 2-specific IgG4, and dysfunctional regulatory T (CRTH2 Treg) cells.

RESULTS

Of 34 patients, 15 in each group completed the study. Patients with VitD deficiency receiving a VitD supplement showed significantly lower mean change SMS than the placebo group in weeks 10 (mean difference -54.54%, = 0.007) and 20 (mean difference -42.69%, = 0.04). The percentage of treatment responders reached 78% and 50% in the VitD and placebo groups, respectively, and the effect remained in week 20 (89% and 60%). No significant difference was observed for the tested immunological read-outs, with the exception of the frequency of CRTH2 Treg cells, which was remarkably reduced in the VitD-treated patients. Moreover, improvement in SMS was correlated to the number of CRTH2 Treg cells. Our experiment indicated that VitD downregulated activation markers, whereas it improved the function of CRTH2 Treg cells.

CONCLUSIONS

VitD supplementation in the build-up phase of AIT could relieve symptoms and decrease Treg cell dysfunction, especially in patients with VitD deficiency.