Association between vitamin D receptor (APAI rs7975232) genotypes and vitamin D serum levels in Iraqi multiple sclerosis patients

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a long-term condition characterized by chronic inflammation, damage to the myelin sheath, and progressive nerve cell degeneration. It is a heterogeneous and multifactorial disease. The aim of the present investigation was to analyze the connection between variations in the vitamin D receptor gene. (APAI rs7975232) and vitamin D serum levels among MS patients. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 75 Iraqi patients with MS (33 male, 42 female), and 75 control group volunteers who appeared to be in good health with an age range of 20–50 years. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism was detected by HRM RT-PCR and vitamin D serum levels were assessed by ELISA. RESULTS: Detection of VDR gene polymorphism in MS patients discovered that the wild genotype was C/C 15 (20%), the heterozygous genotype CA was 27(36%), and the homozygous genotype AA was 33(44%), whilst allele C occurrence was 57(38%) and allele A was 93(62%), compared per control genotype C/C was 40(53.3%), CA genotype was 20(26.6%), AA genotype was 15(20%), C allele frequency was 100(66.6%) and A allele was 50(33.3%) with highly significant difference (P≤0.001). Analysis of vitamin D serum levels showed much higher levels in the control group (43.40±0.85 pg/ml) than in the MS patients group (15.46±0.93 pg/ml; P≤0.001). Result of relationship between Vitamin D serum level with genotype of VDR among individuals with MS was found to be significant decrease (5.3±0.52) at AA genotype of MS patients, followed by (11.79±0.68) in CA genotype and finally (15.52±0.93) in CC genotype, all highly significant (P≤0.01). CONCLUSION: There was a notable correlation observed with VDR (APAI rs7975232) genotypes and Vitamin D serum level in MS Iraqi patients.