1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits neutrophil recruitment in hamster model of acute lung injury

The chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) is involved in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI). Although several studies have reported that 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1α,25(OH)2D3) suppresses IL-8 production in vitro and in vivo, 1α,25(OH)2D3 has not been demonstrated to be effective in an animal model of ALI. Here, we determined its effects of 1α,25(OH)2D3 in a hamster model where ALI was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inhalation. 1α,25(OH)2D3 inhibited neutrophil recruitment in the lung by approximately 40% without increasing plasma calcium concentration, while it did not inhibit monocyte recruitment. Our findings show that vitamin D3 analogues may be suitable as novel anti-inflammatory agents for ALI.

► 1α,25(OH)2D3 inhibits neutrophil recruitment in a model of acute lung injury. ► 1α,25(OH)2D3 inhibits neutrophil recruitment stronger than that of dexamethasome. ► Neutrophil recruitment was inhibited without increasing plasma Ca concentration. ► 1α,25(OH)2D3 dose not affect monocyte recruitment.