Researchers with University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics invite people to participate in a study to determine if vitamin D changes the ability of our lungs to resist infection. Alicia Gerke, MD, internal medicine and pulmonary specialist at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, talks about the study:
How do our bodies gather vitamin D?
The vast majority of vitamin D stores in our body are the result of exposure to UVB rays in sunlight by a mechanism through our skin. Only a small amount of vitamin D is obtained through foods like oily fish, milk, and grains. Therefore, people who live in northern latitudes, like Iowa, are often deficient as we see less sunlight in the winter months.
Why is vitamin D important?
Vitamin D is traditionally important in calcium and phosphate metabolism which keeps our bones strong. The children who don’t get enough vitamin D get rickets. More and more evidence is now evolving to show that vitamin D is very important in maintaining a healthy immune system, both in preventing infection and preventing autoimmune disease.
How will your study look at vitamin D as it relates to our lungs?
Our lungs have a very important job to fend off bacteria and viruses that travel through the air. There are certain cells in the lung, called macrophages, which are one of the first lines of defense against infection in the lung. We think that the macrophages are affected by vitamin D and we’re looking to see if vitamin D helps to fight this infection.
Who is invited to participate in the study?
We invite all healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 60-years-old who have no significant medical problems. We are inviting both people who smoke and people who don’t smoke.
What will participants be asked to do as part of the study?
Each participant will be asked to participate in two study visits, three months apart. Each visit will involve a blood draw and a procedure called a bronchoscopy. A bronchoscopy is a method where we look down into the lungs with a very small scope to collect the lung cells that we study. After the first visit, the participant will be randomized to receive either vitamin D supplementation or a placebo pill, which is to be taken on a daily basis. After three months, the participant will return for the second bronchoscopy to recollect those cells. Participants are compensated for their time.
How long will this study last?
Pretty much the three months. You also get a phone call from our nurses just to check up on things one month after you finish the study.
What is the hypothesis of the study?
We hypothesize that levels of vitamin D correlate with the lung’s ability to fight infection, and by supplementing the vitamin D, the lungs can increase the production of infection-fighting compounds.
If someone is interested in the study, how do they go about learning more?
If you are interested in participating, please contact Lori Stout at 319-384-5376. She can tell you more about this study and go through a list of screening questions to see if you’re eligible. This usually does not take more than five minutes. |
