Chronic Illness Recovery is exploring opportunities to conduct studies that will verify the science underpinning Inflammation Therapy and to provide evidence of treatment efficacy. We're excited to be furthering research efforts and will keep you apprised of developments via this newsletter.
Study #1: Determine if olmesartan medoxomil is a vitamin D receptor ligand.
Premise: In silico research has concluded olmesartan medoxomil modulates the VDR receptor. [1]
Action: Conduct in vitro research to corroborate the computer modeling and determine if olmesartan agonizes or antagonizes the VDR. Alternatively, duplicate the in silico research.
Reference:
- Marshall TG, Lee RE, Marshall FE. Common angiotensin receptor blockers may directly modulate the immune system via VDR, PPAR and CCR2b. Theor Biol Med Model. Jan 2006;3:1.
Study #2: Determine the 1,25(OH)2D range of a healthy population.
Premise: 1,25(OH)2D is usually only measured when patients are very ill. Therefore, normal lab ranges for 1,25(OH)2D (e.g., Mayo Clinic 18-78 pg/ml) may have been skewed high by the presence of patients with dysregulated vitamin D metabolism. Data from a large and reliable Danish study provides 1,25(OH)2D concentrations in a healthy population. Brot et. al [1] found the mean value for 1,25(OH)2D was 29 pg/ml with a standard deviation of 9.5. Furthermore, when measured coincidentally, the significance of elevated 1,25(OH)2D may be overlooked. For example, a study of the effect of vitamin D and calcium supplementation on patients with multiple sclerosis, revealed elevated 1,25(OH)2D at baseline and one year later (61 pg/mL � 22.6 pg/mL and 70.7 pg/mL � 18 pg/mL respectively). [2] These 1,25(OH)2D concentrations were considered normal and neither calcium nor parathyroid hormone were measured.
Action: Verify the data from the Danish study at a research lab with a cohort of apparently healthy young (e.g., ages 20-30) people, both genders and all races.
References:
- Brot C, Jorgensen NR, Sorensen OH. The influence of smoking on vitamin D status and calcium metabolism. Eur J Clin Nutr. Dec 1999;53(12):920-6.
- Kimball S, Vieth R, Dosch HM, et al. Cholecalciferol plus calcium suppresses abnormal PBMC reactivity in patients with multiple sclerosis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Sep 2011(96(9)):2826-34.
Study #3: Determine relationship of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D in patients with autoimmune and chronic illnesses.
Premise: Many studies have established that 25(OH)D is often low in patients with autoimmune and other chronic diseases. However, 1,25(OH)2D is rarely measured in these studies. Blaney et al. [1] found elevated 1,25(OH)2D in 85% of 100 patients with non-granulomatous, autoimmune diseases; without hypercalcemia.
Action: Measure both 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D levels in patients with diagnoses and/or symptoms of autoimmune and chronic illnesses.
Reference:
- Blaney GP, Albert PJ, Proal AD. Vitamin D metabolites as clinical markers in autoimmune and chronic disease. Ann N Y Acad Sci. Sep 209;1173:384-90.
Study #4: Determine the effect of olmesartan on elevated 1,25(OH)2D when administered at frequent intervals.
Premise: Limited but intriguing data indicates that olmesartan reduces elevated 1,25(OH)2D when administered every six hours.
Action: Expand the existing data in a study of patients with elevated 1,25(OH)2D by measuring 1,25(OH)2D two to four weeks following introduction of frequent olmesartan dosing.
Study #5: Determine the efficacy of treating patients with autoimmune and chronic illnesses with frequent-dose olmesartan and low-dose, pulsed antibiotics.
Premise: Natural experiments and subjective data indicate symptom improvement with frequent-dose olmesartan and low-dose, pulsed antibiotics.
Action: Collect hard data and compile case reports of patients undergoing this type of treatment on a long-term basis.
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