الفهرس 
ContentsOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 122 |  |  |
| | | from | 122 | | |
Abstract
VD-R had been shown to be widely expressed by various immune cells. In addition, the gene encoding the 1-α-hydroxylase enzyme transcription was discovered in many immune cells lineages particularly macrophages. SLE patients in particular had a list of risk factors that predispose these patients to VD deficiency. Moreover, it had been suggested that VD deficiency is a risk factor itself for development of SLE. The aim of this study is to assess VD levels in serum of patients with LN in comparison with patients with extra-renal lupus and healthy controls, and to assess the relationship between VD levels and clinical as well as laboratory disease parameters. This cross-sectional study included 60 patients with SLE (30 with LN and 30 without LN) as well as 30 healthy volunteers served as a control group. The participants in the three groups were matched for age, sex and BMI. All patients underwent thorough history taking and clinical examination. The SLE activity was determined using the SLE-DAI score. Blood samples were withdrawn from all participants. Serum 25(OH)VD was assessed for all participants. The blood samples of the SLE patients underwent further investigation for assessment of blood picture, ESR, CRP, C3, C4, serum creatinine, ANA and anti-dsDNA. A urine sample was collected from all patients for determination of presence of proteinuria, hematuria or casts. The results of the current study had shown that : The average serum 25(OH)VD in the in the SLE-with-LN group was significantly lower than in the SLE-no-LN group and also than in the controls. The average serum 25(OH)VD in the in the SLE-no-LN group was significantly lower than in the controls. VD deficiency and insufficiency were more prevalent in the SLE-with-LN group than in the SLE-no-LN group and also than in the controls and were more prevalent in the in the SLE-no-LN group was than in the controls. Serum 25(OH)VD was significantly correlated with SLE-DAI score and ESR in the SLE patients with or without LN. Serum 25(OH)VD was significantly associated with fatigue and photosensitivity in the SLE patients with or without LN. Serum 25(OH)VD was significantly associated with proteinuria, anti-dsDNA in the SLE patients with LN. The strongest factors determining the serum 25(OH)VD level among the patients with SLE was presence of LN, proteinuria and photosensitivity.