The possible roles of vitamin D and curcumin in treating gonorrhea.

Abstract

Drug-resistant gonorrhea, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae), is an emerging concern, especially because the risk of bladder cancer is associated with this infection. N. gonorrhoeae suppresses T-helper 1(Th1) and Th2 responses and enhances Th17 responses via a mechanism involving transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and regulatory T cells. Blockade of TGF-β alleviates the suppression of specific anti-gonococcal responses and allows Th1 and Th2 responses to emerge with concomitant boosting of immune memory and protective immunity. Gonorrhea activates nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), which plays a critical role in signal-transduction pathways involved in inflammation. The innate immune system can eventually clear gonorrhea. Vitamin D is emerging as a potential, powerful, anti-microbial agent with these effects: it supports the innate immune system in combating bacterial infections; it decreases levels of TGF-β and NF-kappaB activation; and it induces production of LL-37 (cathelicidin), which has antimicrobial and antiendotoxin properties. In addition, via an independent vitamin D receptor pathway, curcumin also induces LL-37 production, inhibiting N. gonorrhoeae-induced NF-kappaB signaling and inducing autophagy. Therefore, vitamin D and curcumin taken together may be useful in combating both normal and drug-resistant gonorrhea. Moreover, the possible synergy between these two agents in improving outcomes is worthy of additional investigation.

• Authors: Dima A Youssef, Alan N Peiris, Jim L Kelley, William B Grant
• Journal: Medical hypotheses (Med Hypotheses) Vol. 81 Issue 1 Pg. 131-5 (Jul 2013) ISSN: 1532-2777 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23642399 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Chemical References

• Vitamin D
• Curcumin

Topics

• Curcumin (therapeutic use)
• Gonorrhea (drug therapy, immunology)
• Humans
• Models, Theoretical
• Vitamin D (therapeutic use)