Objective To investigate the effects of vitamin D (VitD) on GATA-3 and T-bet expression in the nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis (AR) rats and on regulation of the Th1/Th2 immune balance. Methods 24 rats were randomly categorized into Control, Model, and VitD groups (n = 8 per group). The Model and VitD groups were sensitized with ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide to establish an AR rat model. The VitD group received intranasal VitD treatment; the Model group received the equivalent volume of saline. Behavioral scores were recorded before and after modeling and following the final intervention. Nasal mucosal tissues were stained with hematoxylin-eosin to assess histology and eosinophil infiltration. Serum levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Western blot was used to detect GATA-3 and T-bet expression levels. Results Compared with the control, the Model group exhibited typical nasal symptoms with increased behavioral scores; marked inflammatory cell infiltration, tissue edema, and vascular dilation in the nasal mucosa; elevated serum IL-4 levels; reduced IFN-γ levels; downregulated T-bet expression; and upregulated GATA-3 expression. Compared to the Model group, the VitD group showed controlled nasal symptoms, reduced behavioral scores, alleviated inflammatory cell infiltration, decreased serum IL-4 levels, increased IFN-γ levels, upregulated T-bet expression, and downregulated GATA-3 expression. Conclusion Intranasal VitD significantly downregulated GATA-3, upregulated T-bet, reduced serum IL-4, and elevated IFN-γ levels. This may be linked to modulation of upstream transcription factors T-bet and GATA-3, potentially altering the differentiation tendency of Th0 cells toward Th1/Th2 subsets.
Zhu et al. (Mon,) studied this question.