Chronic Ethanol Exposure Effects on Vitamin D Levels Among Subjects with Alcohol Use Disorder

Abstract

Vitamin D has been previously recognized to play important roles in human immune system and function. In the pulmonary system, vitamin D regulates the function of antimicrobial peptides, especially cathelicidin/LL-37. Human cathelicidin/LL-37 is a bactericidal, bacteriostatic, and antiviral endogenous peptide with protective immune functions. Chronic exposure to excessive alcohol has the potential to reduce levels of vitamin D (inactive vitamin D [25(OH)D₃] and active vitamin D [1, 25(OH)₂D₃]) and leads to downregulation of cathelicidin/LL-37. Alcohol-mediated reduction of LL-37 may be partly responsible for increased incidence of more frequent and severe respiratory infections among subjects with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanisms by which alcohol exerts its influence on vitamin D metabolism. In addition, the aim was to establish associations between chronic alcohol exposures, levels of pulmonary vitamin D, and cathelicidin/LL-37 using broncho-alveolar lavage fluid samples of subjects with AUD and healthy controls. Findings from the experiment showed that levels of inactive vitamin D (25(OH)D₃), active vitamin D (1, 25(OH)₂D₃), cathelicidin/LL-37, and CYP27B1 proteins were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) when compared with the matched healthy control group. However, CYP2E1 was elevated in all the samples examined. Chronic exposure to alcohol has the potential to reduce the levels of pulmonary vitamin D and results in subsequent downregulation of the antimicrobial peptide, LL-37, in the human pulmonary system.

Introduction

In the United States, from 2006 to 2010, excessive use of alcohol has led to approximately 88,000 deaths and 2.5 million years of potential life lost each year.¹ Furthermore, excessive drinking has been responsible for 1 in 10 deaths among working-age adults between the ages of 20 and 64 years. The economic costs of excessive alcohol consumption in 2010 were estimated at $249 billion.^2,3 According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) fact sheet, drinking habit that becomes severe is given the medical diagnosis of “alcohol use disorder” (AUD). Approximately 17 million adults (7.2%) in the United States aged 18 years and older had an AUD in 2012, representing 11.2 million men and 5.7 million women. In addition, in 2012, an estimated 855,000 adolescents aged 12–17 years had an AUD diagnosis. AUD is characterized by 11 criteria according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, published by the American Psychiatry Association in 2013.^4,5 These symptoms/criteria include the following: evidence of social impairment, being physically hazardous to self and others, having psychological issues, showing signs and symptoms of withdrawal, engaging in copious amount of drinks in order to be high and in disregard to injury, having interpersonal issues, manifesting evidences of obligation impairment, devoting enormous amount of time in getting drunk, having uncontrolled desire to drink alcohol even when it is highly injurious and inconvenient, having histories of attempts and unsuccessful efforts in quitting drinking, and finally, requiring large amount of alcohol and longer period to get drunk. A manifestation of two or more of these symptoms qualifies an individual to be diagnosed with AUD.^4,5 The lifetime AUD prevalence is 29.1% (68.5 million people) and the 12-month prevalence is 13.9% (32.6 million adults).^5–9

Published studies have shown that chronic ethanol overconsumption interferes with activities and functions of essential vitamins and nutrients, including folic acid and vitamins D, C, and E.^10,11 Chronic ethanol consumption also has a deleterious effect on lung function. People who consumed excessive alcohol have been shown to develop more frequent and severe upper respiratory tract infections, community-acquired pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.^9,12,13

According to studies conducted in murine animal models, compared with the control group, 1,25(OH)₂D₃ levels in 8-week ethanol-fed mice showed statistically significant reductions (42%) in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples of mice. In the United States, the number of individuals with AUDs who die from bacterial pneumonia annually approximates those who die due to more widely acknowledged alcohol-related conditions, including pancreatitis and trauma. People who chronically overconsume alcohol are prone to lung infection, particularly severe bacterial lung infection.^6,7,14–20

Our experiment is significant by investigating these associations using human BALF samples. The objective of this study was to analyze and compare the cellular contents of BALF obtained from patients who chronically consume alcohol excessively and have been diagnosed as having an AUD, as compared with healthy controls who do not consume alcohol excessively.

Methods

BALF experiments

Biological samples of BALF were obtained from Colorado Pulmonary-Alcohol Research Consortium (CoPARC) Biobank. In addition, demographic and respiratory health survey results collected from ethanol overconsumers surveyed at the consortium sites (hospitals in Atlanta and Denver) were obtained from CoPARC. CoPARC was established to develop new interventions for individuals with AUD with the aim of decreasing their predisposition to pneumonia infection. With the support of the NIAAA, CoPARC has been funded to conduct translational investigations to complement and extend basic science observations pertaining to subjects with AUD.

Upper airway bronchial washings and lower airway BALF samples from subjects with AUD and healthy controls were analyzed for vitamin D metabolites, cathelicidin/LL-37, and selected Phase I metabolizing enzymes (CYP2E1, CY27B1) involved in vitamin D metabolic pathways by utilizing techniques described in assay protocols. Samples from subjects and controls were added to the appropriate labeled tubes. The BALF samples were treated and analyzed according to the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay protocol for different protein concentrations. The ELISA protocol involves transferring duplicate samples to the appropriate wells for culture and incubation. Addition of diluted streptavidin–peroxidase and tetramethyl-benzidine (TMB) substrate to the cultured samples. Next was the addition of 1 mL of 25-D biotin solution, diluted control (CTRL), 200 µL of enzyme conjugate, and 200 µL of TMB substrate to enhance protein response as demonstrated by color development. The color development was stopped by the addition of 100 µL of stop solution (HCl). The absorbance was measured at 450 nm using the microplate reader within 10 minutes of adding stop solution.

The original proteins present in the samples were measured using Protein A280 in NANODROP 2000/2000c (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.).

Bronchoscopy

Study participants were given consent forms that explained the procedure and the risks to them before being enrolled for this study. Participants’ vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and the level of oxygen in the blood, were measured as baseline data. Participants were instructed to neither eat at least six hours prior to the procedure nor have any alcohol to drink 24 hours before the procedure.

A small plastic catheter (intravenous, IV) was placed in a vein in their arm, and about 2.5 mL of blood was collected. In addition, participant’s saliva was collected by having them gargle for a total of 60 seconds with 10 mL of salt water. After gargling, the participants were asked to spit the salt water into a cup.

A local anesthetic agent (lidocaine) was sprayed in their throats and noses. This was performed to prevent coughing and discomfort. Fentanyl or midazolam was given through the IV catheter to help to relax the participants.

The bronchoscope is made of a flexible fiber-optic material and has a light source and a viewing device or camera at the end. This tube was passed through the nose and down the throat to reach the lung. It was held steady in a part of the lung. First, up to three soft, flexible brushes were inserted one at a time through the bronchoscope to gently scrape off cells from inside the lung. The brushes were removed after brushing the inside of the lungs. Next, 1 1/2 ounces of sterile salt water (saline) was injected through the bronchoscope into the lung. This was performed up to six times. The salt water was immediately taken out through the bronchoscope and collected in a container. The total amount of time that each procedure took from start to finish for the bronchoscopy procedure was about four hours. The actual procedure took about 20 minutes. Participants were watched for about one more hour after the procedure and then discharged when they were fully awake and stable.

The bronchoscopy test was conducted at the University of Colorado Hospital, Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, for the study participants at the Denver center and Veterans Hospital for the study participants at the Atlanta center.

Oral wash and BALF processing (alcoholics and controls)

Oral wash and saline control samples from the study participants were transferred to sterile 15-mL conical tubes and centrifuged at 4 °C, 14,000 × g for 20 minutes. The supernatant was discarded, and the pellet was resuspended in 0.5-mL sterile phosphate-buffered saline. This was then transferred to a labeled 2-mL clear micro-centrifuge tube (Fisher #05-408-138). The samples were vortexed on high setting for 1 minute and stored at −80 °C.

Subjects and controls

Denver center

Subjects with AUD have been identified using a validated survey. Subjects and controls were recruited voluntarily in Denver and Atlanta. Prior to enrollment, they were provided with a consent form that was read and explained to them. The subjects were also allowed to study the consent forms and research protocols extensively, before they were allowed to sign and enroll in the research. They underwent research sampling in the morning following the admission to ensure that issues with alcohol withdrawal have been appropriately addressed. Subjects with AUD were monitored closely for alcohol withdrawal using a standardized Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol protocol and provided symptom-driven benzodiazepines as needed. Moreover, daily multivitamin, thiamine, and folate were provided to participants. Daily rounds by the site principal investigator on admitted subjects were conducted. After protocol completion, subjects were discharged with a responsible adult, or after 24 hours have elapsed since bronchoscopy. Subjects with AUD were reimbursed with supermarket gift cards that cannot be used for the purchase of alcohol. In order to reduce confounders in our research, we controlled for cigarette and marijuana smoking by excluding participants who reported that they have these behaviors. After controlling for confounders, participants were reduced to 40: 20 subjects with AUD and 20 control subjects.

AUD subjects

Inclusion criteria

The inclusion criteria were based on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score of ≥8 for men, ≥5 for women; whose last alcohol-containing beverage was consumed within the seven days prior to enrollment. AUDIT is a 10-question test developed by the World-Health-Organization-sponsored collaborative project to determine whether a person may be at risk for alcohol abuse problems.²¹ In order to score the AUDIT, point values of each answer choice are summed together and then interpreted based on the following criteria:^21,22 (a) a score of eight or more in men (seven in women) indicates a strong likelihood of hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption. (b) A score of 20 or more is suggestive of alcohol dependence (although some authors quote scores of more than 13 in women and 15 in men as indicating likely dependence).²³ Participants who smoke cigarettes and marijuana were excluded from the study’s sample.

Exclusion criteria

The exclusion criteria (in addition to cigarette and marijuana users) included history of comorbidity requiring daily medication (except hypertension), concurrent illicit drug use, abnormal chest radiograph, spirometry remarkable for a forced expiratory volume in one second or forced vital capacity of <80% predicted, and age <18 years or >55 years.

Controls subjects

Control subjects were also recruited and pair matched to subjects with AUD based on age and gender.

Inclusion criteria

The inclusion criteria for control subjects were based on an AUDIT score of <2 for men, <1 for women.

Exclusion criteria

Control subjects were ineligible to participate if they meet any of the criteria set forth for subjects with AUDs as listed earlier.

Atlanta center

We also obtained some BALF samples from the center in Atlanta, Georgia, in order to compare the levels of enzymes and BALF response experiments based on geography, race, and gender. Most of the samples obtained from Atlanta were not controlled for cigarette smoking.

Human subject protection

The sample collection of BALF in Denver and Atlanta was approved by the University of Colorado Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital, Atlanta, respectively. The overall study was approved by a memorandum of understanding between the University of Colorado and Tulane University IRB.

Statistical analysis

All quantitative experiments were performed independently and in triplicates (minimum of three separate times). Experimental data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism Version 5.00 for Windows (GraphPad Software Inc., San Diego, CA, USA). For each experiment, the data obtained were used to approximate a statistical model using nonlinear regression. The mean and standard deviations were reported to compare subjects and controls. When comparing three or more groups, a repeated measure analysis of variance (P < 0.05) followed by Bonferroni’s post hoc test was used to control for multiple comparisons. We used two-tailed Student’s t-test to identify any difference in the means between the two groups (subjects versus control). All results were graphed to visually represent gradual measurement changes within each group and between each group. A P (probability) value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Responses from the CoPARC questionnaire of subjects with AUD and healthy control were analyzed using a chi-square analysis on SPSS Statistics 19 program (IBM Corporation).

Results

BALF levels of 25(OH)D₃ and 1,25 (OH)₂D₃ in AUD and control subjects (Denver center)

When compared with the control group, the level of 25(OH)D₃ was reduced by 40% among subjects with AUD. In a similar trend, approximately 35% reduction was observed in the concentration of 1, 25 (OH)₂D₃ recorded among subjects with AUD when compared with healthy controls (Fig. 1).

Figure 1.

BALF levels of 25(OH)D₃ and 1,25 (OH)₂D₃ in AUD and control subjects.

Notes: Left: Level of 25(OH)D₃ in BALF samples of AUD subjects was statistically reduced by 40% when compared to BALF samples from healthy control subjects. Right: BALF samples of AUD subjects showed 35% reduction in the level of 1,25 (OH)₂D₃ when compared to healthy control subjects. NB: Ethanol group represents the AUD groups.

Cathelicidin/LL-37 levels in upper and lower BALF samples of AUD and control subjects

When compared with the control group, the concentration of LL-37 proteins in the upper BALF of subjects with AUD was reduced (not statistically significant). A similar nonstatistically significant reduction was observed when LL-37 protein level was quantified in lower BALF samples of subjects with AUD when compared with the healthy control group (Fig. 2).

Figure 2.

Cathelicidin/LL-37 levels in Upper and Lower BALF samples of AUD and control.

Notes: Levels of LL-37 were reduced (not statistically) in both upper and lower BALF samples of AUD subjects when compared to their respective healthy control subjects. In both scenarios, lower levels of LL-37 were recorded in the lower BALF samples of the study participants when compared to the upper BALF samples from the same study population, (n = 40)

CYP2E1 levels in BALF samples of AUD and control subjects

When we analyzed upper BALF samples of AUD and control subjects for the concentration of CYP2E1 proteins, we observed an increased level (40%) of this enzyme (not significantly) in BALF samples from subjects with AUD when compared with control subjects. We did not observe any significant difference in the levels of CYP2E1 in the lower BALF samples of subjects with AUD (slight 5% increase) when compared with the control group (Fig. 3).

Figure 3.

CYP2E1 protein levels in BALF samples of AUD and Control subjects.

Notes: The level of CYP2E1 was increased (non-statistically) by 40% in the upper BALF samples of AUD subjects when compared to healthy control subjects. Similar trend was observed in the lower BALF samples of AUD subjects with an increase (non-statistically) of about 5% when compared to the control group (n = 40).

CYP27B1 levels in BALF of subjects with AUD and controls

Levels of CYP27B1, the primary vitamin D-activating enzyme, was significantly reduced by approximately 60% in the upper BALF samples of subjects with AUD when compared with the control group. However, in the lower BALF samples, the reduction in CYP27B1 enzymes was not statistically significant (reduced by 20%) between subjects with AUD and the matched control groups (Fig. 4).

Figure 4.

CYP27B1 Levels in BALF of AUD Subjects and Control.

Notes: The level of CYP27B1 was significantly reduced statistically by 60% in the upper BALF samples of AUD subjects when compared to healthy control subjects. In the lower BALF samples of AUD subject, a 20% reduction (non-statistically) was observed when compared to the control group (n = 40).

Levels of 1, 25 (OH)₂D₃ in BALF samples of AUD and control subjects (Atlanta center)

When compared with the control group, the concentration of 1, 25 (OH)₂D₃ in the BALF samples of subjects with AUD was statistically reduced by approximately 50%, following a similar trend previously observed among the study participants in Denver (Fig. 5).

Figure 5.

Levels of 1, 25 (OH)₂D₃ in BALF samples of AUD and control subjects Levels of 1, 25 (OH)₂D₃ in the BALF samples of AUD subjects were statistically reduced by 50% (from 28 to 14 pmol/L of total protein) when compared to the control group P < 0.0028 < 0.05 (n = 33).

Comparing levels of 1, 25 (OH)₂D₃ between BALF samples of AUD and control subjects from Denver and Atlanta

When we compared the levels of 1, 25 (OH)₂D₃ among the study participants from two different study centers, Denver and Atlanta, we observed a significant reduction among the study participants in Atlanta, in both subjects with AUD and control subjects, when compared with the study participants in Denver (Fig. 6).

Figure 6.

Comparing levels of 1, 25 (OH)₂D₃ between BALF samples of AUD and control subjects from Denver and Atlanta.

Notes: When compared to control subjects in Denver, the levels of 1, 25 (OH)₂D₃ in BALF samples of control subjects in Atlanta were reduced statistically by more than 80%. Similarly, when comparing levels of 1, 25 (OH)₂D₃ in BALF samples of AUD study participants, the 1, 25 (OH)₂D₃ levels among the Atlanta group was statistically reduced by 65% when compared to the Denver group, P* 0.0001 (as indicated by the *and ∼ sign).

Demographic distribution of study participants from Denver center

With regard to race among subjects with AUD from the study population in Denver center, 45% were Hispanic or Latino, while 55% were non-Hispanic or Latino. Among the controls, 10% were Hispanic or Latino, while 90% were non-Hispanic or Latino (Table 1A). The ethnic distribution among the study participants followed a similar trend as was observed in Table 1A. Among subjects with AUD, 10% were American Indian or Alaska native, 35% were native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 45% were White, while 10% of the study population did not indicate their ethnicity. Among the control group, 15% were Black or African American, while the remaining 85% were White (Table 1B). Among subjects with AUD, 25% were females, while we had 75% of males participating in the study. In the control group, 75% were males and 25% were females (Table 1C).

Table 1.

Racial, ethnic, and gender distribution of study participants (Denver center).

NO	FACTORS	AUD SUBJECTS	CONTROL SUBJECTS
A	Race
	Hispanic or Latino	9	2
	Not Hispanic or Latino	11	18
	Don’t know	–	–
	Refused	–	–
Total		20	20
B	Ethnicity
	American Indian/Alaska native	2	–
	Asian	–	–
	Black or African American	–	3
	Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander	7	–
	White	9	17
	Don’t know	–	–
	Refused	–	–
	Unchecked	2	–
Total		20	20
C	Gender
	Male	15	15
	Female	5	5
Total		20	20

Notes: (A) Among AUD subjects, 45% were Hispanic or Latino, while 55% were Not-Hispanic or Latino. Among the control subjects, 10% were Hispanic or Latino, while 90% were Not-Hispanic or Latino. (B) Among AUD subjects, 10% were American Indian or Alaska Native, 35% were Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 45% were white and 10% did not indicate their ethnicity. Among the control group, 15% were Black or African American, while 85% were White. (C) Among AUD subjects, 25% were female, while the remaining 75% were male. The same distribution was observed among the control subjects. Overall, among the study participants, 75% were male and 25% were female.

Demographic distribution of study participants from Atlanta center

In terms of racial distribution in the Atlanta center, approximately 91% of the study participants were African American, while 9% were Caucasian. Among the control population, 87.5% were African American while the remaining 12.5% of the study population were White (Table 2A). Among the study participants (AUD) from Atlanta center, 86% were males and the remaining 14% were females (Table 2B). Among the matched healthy controls, there were no females at all, where it was a 100% male participation.

Table 2.

Racial, ethnic, and gender distribution of study participants (Atlanta center).

NO	FACTOR	AUD SUBJECTS	CONTROL SUBJECTS
A	Race
	African American	20	14
	White	2	2
Total		22	16
B	Gender
	Male	19	16
	Female	3	0
Total		22	16

Notes: (A) Among AUD subjects, 9.1% were White and the remaining 90.9% were African Americans. Among the control subjects, 11% were White and the rest, 89% were African Americans. (B) Among the AUD subjects, approximately 14% were female, while 86% were male. Among the control subjects, there were no female, all the participants were 100% male. In total, 92% of the study participants were male, while 8% were female.

Discussion

Chronic exposure to excessive ethanol has various potential adverse and deleterious outcomes in human systems. According to the earlier studies, antibacterial peptides and proteins remain core network of epithelial defense barrier that helps protect against bacterial invasion.^14,24–27 As shown by our experiment, the levels of both 25(OH)D₃ and 1, 25 (OH)₂D₃ were reduced among subjects with AUD when compared with healthy controls (Fig. 1). This is probably due to adverse effects of excessive ethanol exposure on the metabolism of vitamin D by depleting enzymes involved in converting 25 (OH)D₃ to 1, 25 (OH)₂D₃ (Fig. 4). Other published works have also shown that there were no statistical changes by chronic ethanol overconsumption in the serum levels of 25(OH)D₃; however, statistically significant reduction was observed in the lung tissue levels of 25(OH)D₃ when compared with the control group.¹³ As shown by our results (Fig. 2), these earlier studies alluded to increase in the concentration of antimicrobial peptide activity in BALF samples from healthy control subjects and patients with sarcoidosis. Following chronic ingestion of excessive alcohol, the levels of LL-37 proteins were reduced in upper and lower BALF samples of subjects with AUD, when compared with their respective controls. This further corroborates our hypotheses that alcohol has an inhibitory effect on vitamin D metabolism and subsequently the upregulation of LL-37, antimicrobial peptides. These antimicrobial peptides, LL-37, are aggregated in alveolar macrophages, bronchial epithelial cells, and bronchial glands, and they are activated to recruit other antimicrobial peptides in fighting off invading pathogens in the pulmonary system, further confirming their defensive functions in airway mucosa.^{14,24,28–32} Studies have shown that lower levels of 25 (OH)D₃ and consequently, 1, 25 (OH)₂D₃, can result in reduced immune function and response, leading to an increase in the prevalence of community-acquired and bacterial pneumonia among vulnerable populations, such as subjects with AUD.^29,33 Ethanol disruption of enzymes involved in vitamin D metabolism is mediated by CYP2E1, an enzyme that is involved in ethanol metabolism directly or by generating reactive oxidative metabolites such as malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal, and hydroxyethyl radical.^13,34 This is probably responsible for the high levels of CP2E1 observed in BALF samples of subjects with AUD when compared with the control group (Fig. 3).

The BALF samples obtained from Denver center were controlled for smoking. This is because numerous studies have shown that smoking is a potent cofounder that contributes to vitamin D deficiency among vulnerable populations.^27,35–45 However, because of the resulting small sample size after controlling for smoking, we were also interested in documenting the effects of smoking on the analysis of BALF samples when smoking was not controlled for as a potential confounder. Hence, samples obtained from Atlanta, Georgia, were not controlled for smoking.

As a result of the analysis, we discovered that subjects with AUD who smoke cigarettes have statistically significant lower levels of 1, 25 (OH)₂D₃ when compared with controls who do not drink alcohol, but smoke cigarettes (Fig. 5). Our results established that excessive consumption of ethanol and smoking has far worse adverse effects on vitamin D metabolism and consequently less efficient immune response and function in the pulmonary system.

When compared, BALF samples from Denver, Colorado, had higher levels of 1, 25 (OH)₂D₃ when compared with samples from Atlanta, Georgia. This further confirmed that smoking, a potential confounding factor, contributes (mechanism not known) to disruption of vitamin D metabolism (Fig. 6). We plan to investigate this mechanism in a future research project.

Public health significance

One of the objectives of this study was to evaluate the public health significance of the association between social determinants, inactive vitamin D (25(OH)D3), active vitamin D (1,25(OH)₂ D3), and antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin/LL-37 among subjects with AUD and matched healthy controls, highlighting its causal implications on increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.

Our results showed that the levels of 1, 25 (OH)₂D₃ were lower among the study participants from Atlanta center, who were predominantly African Americans (Table 2), when compared with the study participants from Denver center, who were predominantly White (Table 1). All the study participants from Denver center analyzed in our experiment were also nonsmokers. Earlier studies have documented similar results among US adults. Vitamin D deficiency was common in the US population, especially among minorities.^{4,5,10,46–53} A study by Forrest and Stuhldreher showed that among elder adults, 41% had less than 25 ng/mL of 25 (OH)D₃ and among women with osteoporosis, 64% had less than 30 ng/mL of 25 (OH)D₃. Among African American adults, 61% had less than 15 ng/mL of 25 (OH)D₃. Vitamin D deficiency is defined by levels of 25(OH)D₃ less than 20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L). The study concluded that African American adults had the highest prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency (82.1%) followed by Hispanics adults (62.9%). In terms of race, men were significantly more likely to have vitamin D deficiency than women. This trend was observed among our study participants from Atlanta Center with 92% males and 8% females (Table 2).

Overall, the published studies have shown that minority populations had 9.6 times increased risk of developing vitamin D deficiency when compared with the rest of population in the United States.^{10,27,39,42–46,52,54–58}

Vitamin D deficiency has also been associated with high prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) especially among smokers when compared with non-COPD healthy smokers.^38,59 While 31% of healthy smokers showed vitamin D deficiency (inactive vitamin D <20 ng/mL), 39%, 47%, and 69% of patients with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage 1, 2, and 3, respectively, exhibited vitamin D deficiency. Furthermore, as many as 77% of patients with GOLD stage 4 of COPD exhibited vitamin D deficiency. When the levels of 25(OH)D₃ were lowered to <10 ng/mL, only 2% of healthy smokers showed vitamin D deficiency at this level, compared with 4.3%, 8.1%, 8%, and 13.3% of patients with GOLD stage ranging from 1 to 4, respectively, who were severely deficient in vitamin D.^{31,52,59–61} This was similar to the result observed in our experiment, which showed that the levels of 1, 25 (OH)₂D₃ were significantly low among the study participants from Atlanta center, all of whom were smokers (Figs. 5 and 6).

In conclusion, our study confirmed that excessive exposure to ethanol, race, and cigarette smoking play significant causal roles in the onset of vitamin D deficiency among vulnerable populations.

One of the challenges of this study and analysis was the small sample size. While this may not negatively impact on the mechanism of action, we hope to investigate these observations in a larger population size and make more elaborate translational conclusions toward understanding associations between excessive ethanol exposure, vitamin D, and cathelicidin/LL-37.

Conclusion

Our results have clearly shown that minority populations have increased risk of vitamin D deficiency as seen from the results obtained from the analysis of the BALF samples. Smoking also lowers the levels of vitamin D among minority populations.^{25,43,58,59,62} More public health targeted interventions will be helpful among minority populations in terms of increasing awareness and sensitization on the need to consume vitamin D dietary supplements.

Overall, we have shown from our results that excessive consumption of alcohol can significantly lower the levels of inactive vitamin D (25(OH)D₃), active vitamin D (1, 25(OH)₂ D₃), and antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin/LL-37 among subjects with AUD, especially in minority populations. This can lead to increased pulmonary morbidity and reduced ability of the pulmonary system to fight infections.