Role of Vitamin D in the Clinical Course of Nasal Polyposis

Abstract

Vitamin D is a lipo-soluble hormone well known for its effects on calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. Recently, there has been growing interest in the extraskeletal effects of vitamin D. In particular, recent studies have highlighted how vitamin D plays a fundamental role in immunomodulation processes in the context of both innate and adaptive immunity, with consequent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effect in different immune-mediated pathologies, such as systemic sclerosis, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and rheumatoid arthritis; as well as in various pro-inflammatory processes affecting the airways, including chronic rhinosinusitis with (CRSwNP) or without (CRSsNP) nasal polyposis. We analyze the role of vitamin D in the genesis and progression of CRSwNP/sNP and its supplementation as a safe and valid therapeutic strategy capable of improving the clinical outcome of standard therapies.