What is known about the effects of vitamin D in neuropsychiatric lupus?

Abstract Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can affect several organs and systems. The central and/or peripheral nervous system can suffer from complications known as neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE). Studies have associated the manifestations of SLE or NPSLE with vitamin D deficiency. It has been shown that hypovitaminosis D can lead to cognition deficits and cerebral hypoperfusion in patients with NPSLE. In this review article, we will address the main features related to vitamin D supplementation or serum vitamin D levels with neuropsychiatric manifestations, either in patients or in animal models of NPSLE.

Vitamin D supplementation modulates autophagy in the pristane-induced lupus model

Abstract Introduction/objectives: Clinical evidence of skeletal muscle involvement is not uncommon in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Because of the poor understanding of signaling pathways involved in SLE muscle wasting, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on skeletal muscle in mice with pristane-induced lupus. Methods: Balb/c mice with lupus-like disease induced by pristane injection were randomized into three groups: pristane-induced lupus (PIL; n = 10), pristane-induced lupus + vitamin D supplementation (PIL + VD; n = 10) and healthy controls (CO; n = 8). Physical function was evaluated on days 0, 60, 120 and 180. The tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles were collected to evaluate myofiber cross-sectional area (CSA) and protein expression. Results: The PIL + VD group showed lower muscle strength compared to the CO and PIL groups at different time points. PIL mice showed similar myofiber CSA compared to CO and PIL + VD groups. LC3-II expression was higher in PIL compared to CO and PIL + VD groups. MyoD expression was higher in PIL mice compared to PIL + VD, while myostatin expression was higher in PIL + VD than PIL group. Myogenin expression levels were decreased in the PIL + VD group compared with the CO group. The Akt, p62 and MuRF expressions and mobility assessment showed no significance. Conclusions: Changes in skeletal muscle in PIL model happen before CSA reduction, possibly due to autophagy degradation, and treatment with Vitamin D has a impact on physical function by decreasing muscle strength and time of fatigue.. Vitamin D supplementation has a potential role modulating physical parameters and signaling pathways in muscle during pristane-induced lupus model.

Association between sleep disorders and child violence assessed in Southern Brazil / Associação entre distúrbios do sono e violência infantil avaliada no Sul do Brasil

Aims: identifying sleep disorders (SDs) in children who experienced child maltreatment. Methods: the study evaluated the sleep pattern of 123 children (from 2 to 10 years old), who received assistance with child maltreatment, based on the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) ­ applied in a medical consultation after confirmation of the veracity of the child's report of a violation. The study applied the questionnaire to children seen by doctors in the sector for 11 months. Results: among the children evaluated, 66.7% had SDs. The sample profile was predominantly female (59.3%) and aged between 4 and 7 years old (48.8%). Physical violence was found in 40.7% of the children, in addition to sexual (35.8%), psychological (24.4%), negligence (14.6%) and other types of violence (OTV) (4.5%). SDs are significantly associated with sexual, psychological and OTV (p=0.016). Regarding the subscales, there was a significant difference between the age groups in the bedtime resistance (BR) factor score (p=0.033). The BR characteristic typifies sexual, psychological and OTV. Sleep anxiety (SA) typifies more psychological, sexual and OTV. Night awakenings (NAs) typify psychological, sexual and physical violence. According to the type of violence, significant differences were found in SA (p=0.039), NAs (p=0.026) and BR (p=0.004). Conclusions: the outcomes highlight the association between SDs and child maltreatment. Certain types of violence have a greater negative impact on children's sleep and correlate with specific SD.

Objetivos: identificar distúrbios do sono em crianças que sofreram maus-tratos infantis. Métodos: o estudo avaliou o padrão de sono de 123 crianças (de 2 a 10 anos) atendidas por relatos de maus-tratos, com base no Questionário de Hábitos de Sono Infantil (CSHQ) ­ aplicado em uma consulta médica após confirmação da veracidade do relato de violação da criança. O estudo aplicou o questionário a crianças atendidas no setor durante o período de 11 meses. Resultados: dentre as crianças avaliadas, 66,7% apresentavam distúrbios do sono. O perfil da amostra foi predominantemente feminino (59,3%) e com idade entre quatro e sete anos (48,8%). Violência física foi encontrada em 40,7% das crianças, além de sexual (35,8%), psicológica (24,4%), negligência (14,6%) e outros tipos de violência (4,5%). Os distúrbios do sono estão significativamente associados à violência sexual, psicológica e a outros tipos de violência (OTV) (p=0,016). Em relação às subescalas, houve diferença significativa entre as faixas etárias nos escores de resistência em ir para a cama (p=0,033). A característica resistência em ir para a cama tipifica a violência sexual, psicológica e OTV. Ansiedade do sono tipifica mais a violência psicológica, sexual e OTV. O despertar noturno tipifica a violência psicológica, sexual e física. De acordo com o tipo de violência, foram encontradas diferenças significativas na ansiedade do sono (p=0,039), despertar noturno (p=0,026) e resistência em ir para a cama (p=0,004). Conclusões: os resultados evidenciam a associação entre distúrbios do sono e violência infantil. Certos tipos de violência têm um impacto negativo maior no sono infantil e se correlacionam a distúrbios do sono específicos.