The association of the vitamin D status and inflammatory prostaglandins in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

Abstract

The inhibitory effect of vitamin D and the oncogenic effects of prostaglandins in many neoplasms have been investigated. Increased risk of malignancy due to prostaglandins and inhibitory effects of vitamin D occur due to several mechanisms. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the relationship between the status of vitamin D and prostaglandins and their possible role in AML. Methods: Fifty-four patients with AML referred to Shahid Ghazi Center of Imam Reza Hospital in Tabriz were examined and serum levels of vitamin D, COX-2 and PGE2 and the gene expression levels of vitamin D receptor (VDR), PGE2 synthase, COX-2 , and 15-PGDH were measured in these patients. Finally, the relationship between these parameters and treatment outcomes including achievement to complete remission, duration of hospital stay and fever and neutropenia in patients with AML were evaluated. Results: In this study, the serum level of vitamin D was 18.25 (4.00 – 72.70) ng / ml, but there was no significant relationship between serum levels of vitamin D on and expression of COX-2, PGE2 synthase and 15-PGDH genes, but there was a positive and statistically significant relationship between serum levels and VDR gene expression and PGE2 synthase and COX-2 gene expression and their serum concentrations (P <0.05). Moreover, there was a reverse association between serum levels and gene expression of VDR and 15-PGDH gene exoewssion. Also, no statistically significant relationship was found between the status of vitamin D, PGE2 synthase, COX-2 and 15-PGDH with treatment outcomes including achieving to complete remission, duration of fever and neutropenia and hospitalization duration (P> 0.05).