Vitamin D deficiency affects lung growth and function
A study by researchers at Perth's Telethon Institute for Child Health Research has discovered the first concrete evidence linking Vitamin D deficiency with poorer lung function and changes in lung growth.
The study, headed by Research Fellow Dr Graeme Zosky, has important implications for the potential prevention of lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The findings were published online ahead of the print edition of the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
"The results of this study clearly demonstrate that vitamin D deficiency alters lung growth resulting in lower lung volume and decreased lung function" Dr Zosky said. "This is the first direct mechanistic evidence showing that vitamin D deficiency alters lung development which may explain the association between obstructive lung disease and levels of vitamin D."
To conduct their study, the researchers used a mouse model of vitamin D deficiency and evaluated lung responses of two-week-old mice, comparing them to control mice without vitamin D deficiency, to determine what, if any, effects the deficiency may have caused in the growth, structure or function of the lungs.
"The differences we observed in lung volume and lung mechanics, which were substantial and physiologically relevant, raise serious concerns regarding the increased prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in communities around the world," Dr Zosky said.
Dr Zosky emphasised that the findings did not mean that people should ignore sun exposure guidelines.
"This finding is an important first step. We need to do more research to see if there is a benefit in giving vitamin D supplements to pregnant women or babies at higher risk of lung disease as a preventative strategy."