Figure 5.

Correlation and regression analysis among 1,25VitD3 level, neutrophil apoptotic rate and p-p38 expression in T2DM and periodontitis patients. Serum 1,25VitD3 levels were associated with apoptotic neutrophils (Fig. 5A-a) and phosphorylated-p38 expression in T2DM and periodontitis patients (Fig. 5A-b). The relationship between phosphorylated-p38 and apoptotic neutrophils presents a linear correlation in T2DM and periodontitis patients (Fig. 5A-c). The R-square and P values were assessed using Pearson's correlation analysis. A proposed model of action is that p38 signaling upregulates 1,25VitD3-induced apoptosis in neutrophils, which in turn induces multiple apoptotic factors. A convergence of 1,25VitD3 and p38 signaling leads to efficient neutrophil reduction (Fig. 5B). 1,25VitD3 = 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin-D3, T2DM = type 2 diabetes mellitus.