Linneman Z¹, Reis C¹, Balaji K², Moore J², Braude S³. Med Hypotheses. 2019 Jun;127:154-158. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2019.04.005. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Author information

1 Biology Department, Washington University, United States.

2 Radiation Oncology, Washington U. School of Medicine, United States.

3 Biology Department, Washington University, United States. Electronic address: braude@wustl.edu.

Abstract

While it appears that there are a variety of factors that exacerbate IBD, it is frustrating that symptoms can persist and worsen even when environmental insults are removed. We suggest that there may be a positive feedback loop which perpetuates the inflammatory response in IBD patients. The loop is triggered by vitamin D deficiency which reduces calcium uptake. Lowered vitamin D and calcium interfere with anti-inflammatory pathways. Inflammation of the mucosa inhibits absorption of calcium and thus perpetuates the reduced anti-inflammatory response. A number of predictions follow from this hypothesis and are supported by geographic and lifestyle patterns in IBD incidence and prevalence.