Effect of 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on interleukin 17 expression in mice with asthma

Objective To explore the effects of interleukin 17(IL-17)and 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3[1, 25-(OH)2VD3] on the pathogenesis of asthma. Methods Thirty-two Kunming mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control group (group A), the asthma group (group B), the 1, 25-(OH)2VD3-treated group (group C) and the De-xamethasone-treated group (group D). The allergic mouse models were established by using ovalbumin (OVA). The behavioral changes of mice were observed and the number of leukocytes in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were counted.HE staining was used to measure the histological changes of lung tissue.The levels of IL-17 and IgE in the BALF were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The asthmatic symptoms were more severe in group A than those in the other groups, while they were relieved significantly in group C and group D when treated with 1, 25-(OH)2VD3 or Dexamethasone.The number of leukocyte in groups B, C and D[(1.97±0.23)×108/L, (1.02±0.17)×108/L, (0.95±0.14)×108/L]were higher than those in group A[(0.56±0.16)×108/L](F=85.58, P 0.05). The levels of IgE and IL-17 in group B were significantly higher than those in group A(all P 0.05). Conclusions IL-17 involves in the inflammation process of asthma, which promotes the respiratory inflammation.1, 25-(OH)2VD3 may suppress IL-17 expression to relieve the respiratory inflammation in acute asthmatic mice, the effect of which is similar to that of Dexamethasone on asthma. Key words: 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3; Asthma; Interleukin 17; Mouse