Vitamin D influences over 200 human genes. There is more and more talk about its connection with mood, immunity and cancer prevention (read more about vitamin D in this article ). Although initially it was associated mainly with bone health, today scientists are discovering its other facets. According to research, it is also of great importance in sinus diseases . Dr. hab. talked about this in an interview for nikaMag . n. med. Mariola Popko Zagor , specialist in otorhinolaryngology, facial plastic surgeon, former employee of the Otolaryngology Clinic of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry of the Medical University of Warsaw, head of the rhinology team.
Ph.D. n. med. Mariola Popko Zagor: Having many patients with chronic sinusitis, I was looking for alternative methods of treatment. My parents are doctors, my father is an orthopedic surgeon and he conducted research on the effects of vitamin D3 on patients in his field. In 2015, this inspired me to delve deeper into the topic. It turned out that vitamin D3 has a wide spectrum of effects, including anti-inflammatory ones , which I decided to check in ENT practice. We created a team with colleagues (Prof. E. Sarnowska) from the Department of Molecular and Translational Biology, Oncology Center of the Institute. Maria Skłodowska-Curie in Warsaw and started examining vitamin D3 receptors in people with chronic sinusitis.
The answer is not clear. Our research indicates that people with chronic rhinosinusitis have much more vitamin D3 receptors on the nasal mucosa and fewer in the cell nuclei of the mucosa. As if these receptors were waiting for this vitamin to be administered intranasally. There were fewer of these receptors in healthy people. Under normal conditions, vitamin D binds to its receptor in the cell membrane and is then transported to the cell nucleus, where it acts similarly to steroids. It has a unique and strong effect, even in the amount of a few drops.
We don't know exactly. In chronic sinusitis, the regulatory mechanisms in the mucous membrane are disturbed and vitamin D3 does not reach the cell nucleus. We tested the concentration of vitamin D3 in the blood of all study participants and it is usually suboptimal or optimal, with no major fluctuations. However, this concentration in the blood does not translate into the local concentration of vitamin D3 in the nasal mucosa. In healthy people, vitamin D3 binds to receptors in the cytoplasm of mucosal cells and then goes to the nucleus. This mechanism works differently in people with chronic sinusitis . Additionally, the study revealed that the nasal mucosa also contains enzymes that convert inactive vitamin D into active vitamin D. Similar enzymes can also be found in other tissues and systems, e.g. in the kidneys, intestines and blood.
We don't know what the beginning is. There are many potential causes of chronic sinusitis. Vitamin D3 supports the treatment of the nasal mucosa and sinuses , this is the assumption of my research.
As I mentioned, vitamin D3 has a very broad spectrum of activities. Most people in Poland have suboptimal levels of this vitamin. Generally, we should supplement vitamin D3 all year round . We have too little exposure to the sun, and we need to produce at least 2,000 units of this vitamin a day. We cannot do this while covered. Moreover, sun exposure is not healthy for the skin. Adequate concentration of vitamin D3 in the blood is associated with a lower risk of many diseases, including cancer. There are numerous studies on this.
My study is double blind. We give patients both active and inactive vitamin D3. So neither I nor the study participants will know for sure which of these vitamins they received. As for who can join the research, detailed criteria can be found on my website . In short, these are adults who have not been operated on for sinusitis, suffer from chronic sinusitis (criteria also on my website), are not pregnant or breastfeeding.
These are 2 visits. During the first visit, we collect blood to check the vitamin D3 concentration in the laboratory. Then there is an endoscopic examination of the nasal cavities and sinuses. Then I administer the first dose of the drug, which consists of standard treatment for sinusitis and our preparation with vitamin D3 . The patient is in no danger, our vitamin D3 administered intranasally has no side effects. Of course, the visits are free of charge. After 3 weeks there is a check-up and endoscopy. Later, the patient also receives a follow-up phone call to make sure everything is OK. We do it in two centers - in Warsaw and Białystok.
Napisała: Hanna Borowska
Editor, journalist, science writer, certified nutrition consultant. Motherhood made her interest in health issues change the direction of her professional path. She has completed several trainings and courses in Poland and abroad in the field of dietetics, functional medicine and aromatherapy. She is passionate about the unexplored power of the human microbiome. She graduated with honors from the Faculty of Journalism and Political Science at the University of Warsaw. For many years associated with Euroradio.fm.
Gość: Ph.D. n. med. Mariola Popko Zagor
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