Is there a window of opportunity for the therapeutic use of vitamin D in multiple sclerosis?

• Published in: Neural regeneration research Vol. 17; no. 9; pp. 1945 - 1954
• Main Authors: Zorzella-Pezavento, Sofia, Mimura, Luiza, Denadai, Marina, de Souza, William, Fraga-Silva, Thais, Sartori, Alexandrina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01-09-2022; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences,Institute of Biosciences,S(a)o Paulo State University (UNESP),Botucatu,S(a)o Paulo,Brazil; Wolters Kluwer - Medknow; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: central nervous system; cytokines; experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis; immunomodulation; immunopathogenesis; inflammation; multiple sclerosis; neuroprotection; regulatory t cells; vitamin d; Multiple sclerosis; Review; Vitamin D; regulatory T cells; immunomodulation; experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis; immunopathogenesis; inflammation; multiple sclerosis; neuroprotection; vitamin D; cytokines; central nervous system
• DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.335139
• EISSN: 1876-7958
• ISSN: 1673-5374

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune treatable but not curable disease. There are a multiplicity of medications for multiple sclerosis therapy, including a class entitled disease-modifying drugs that are mainly indicated to reduce the number and severity of disease relapses. Not all patients respond well to these therapies, and minor to severe adverse effects have been reported. Vitamin D, called sunshine vitamin, is being studied as a possible light at the end of the tunnel. In this review, we recapitulated the similar immunopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, the immunomodulatory and neuroprotective potential of vitamin D and the state-of-art concerning its supplementation to multiple sclerosis patients. Finally, based on our and other groups' experimental findings, we analyzed the need to consider the relevance of the route and the different time-point administration aspects for a more rational indication of this vitamin to multiple sclerosis patients.