Abstract

Acute Lung Injury occurs in around 25% of patients post 2 stage oesophagectomy. We have previously shown that levels of 25-OH vitamin D are low in these patients and that those patients with the lowest levels of vitamin D are more likely to develop Acute Lung Injury post-operatively. In vitro, vitamin D has been shown to promote the differentiation of regulatory T cells (Treg) and the expression of LL37 (cathelicidin), an antimicrobial peptide.

We have given 13 patients a one-off high dose vitamin D supplement 3–14 days prior to oesophagectomy. Numbers of circulating regulatory T cells were analysed both pre- and post-supplementation. Plasma levels of LL37 were measured by ELISA. Extravascular Lung Water Index (EVLWi) was measured pre-operatively, post-operatively and on the day following surgery. Changes in LL37 and EVLWi were compared with results from a cohort of patients (n=50) who had not been supplemented.

Pre-operative vitamin D levels between the two groups were significantly different. The proportion of CD3+CD4+ T cells which were CD25+CD127loFoxP3+ increased post vitamin D supplementation (median pre vitamin D=5.8, median post vitamin D=7.3, p=0.028). Whilst levels of LL37 decreased post-operatively in the cohort who had not received vitamin D, levels were maintained in supplemented patients. Post-operative EVLWi measured lower than pre-operative values in patients receiving vitamin D supplementation. This contrasts with patients who did not receive vitamin D supplementation in whom an increase in EVLWi was seen. This difference persists on post-operative day 1, with a net increase being seen in patients who did not receive vitamin D and a net decrease in those who did (see table).