Florian Berghea

Publications

• Research   
  Impaired Vitamin D Metabolism in Systemic Sclerosis
  Author(s): Laura Groseanu*, Ioana Saulescu, Violeta Bojinca, Daniela Opris-Belinski, Andra Balanescu and Florian Berghea
  
  Objective: To evaluate vitamin D status, receptor, and metabolic enzymes in systemic sclerosis and their impact on disease phenotype. Methods: sixteen scleroderma patients and twelve controls were evaluated. Vitamin D status was assessed by measuring 25(OH)D serum levels. The expression of mRNA for VDR (vitamin D receptor), hydroxylation enzymes (CYP27B1, CYP24A1) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was evaluated by real-time PCR. Results: There was no statistical difference in vitamin D levels between scleroderma patients and the control group (p=0.647). Though, patients with low 25(OH) levels had more active and severe disease with lung involvement (p=0.031), pulmonary hypertension (p=0.046), and poor quality of life (p=0.006). VDR mRNA expression was higher in systemic sclerosis (p=0.014) and associated with CRP (p=0.046) and decreased DLCO (p=0.033). PBMCs of scleroderma.. Read More»
  

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