Optimal vitamin D plasma levels are associated with lower bacterial DNA translocation in HIV/hepatitis c virus coinfected patients

Objective: Vitamin D has been linked to the immune response modulation and the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier. Therefore, vitamin D might be involved in bacterial translocation related to HIV infection. Our major aim was to analyze the association between plasma levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D [25(OH)D] and bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA (bactDNA) in 120 HIV/hepatitis c virus (HCV) coinfected patients. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Plasma 25(OH)D levels were quantified by enzyme immunoassay. The vitamin D status was defined as deficient (<25 nmol/l), insufficient (25-74 nmol/l), and optimal (>= 75 nmol/l) plasma levels. Plasma bactDNA levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. For bactDNA levels the cutoffs used were as follows: low [ p75th). Results: Eighteen (15%) patients had 25(OH)D deficiency, 93 (77.5%) had insufficiency and nine (7.5%) had 25(OH)D optimal values. The bactDNA levels were lower in patients with 25(OH)D at least 75 nmol/l [37 copies/mu l] than in patients with 25(OH)D insufficiency [84.2 copies/mu l; P = 0.042]. Conversely, low bactDNA levels ( P = 0.029). The plasma 25(OH)D not less than 75 nmol/l was associated with low bactDNA levels ( P = 0.006)]. The patients with optimal vitamin D status [25(OH)D >= 75 nmol/l] had lower plasma levels of CCL7 (P = 0.047) and basic fibroblast growth factor (P = 0.042). Conclusion: The optimal vitamin D status was associated with low bacterial translocation and inflammation in HIV/HCV coinfected patients.