Cited by 39Antifungal resistance and susceptibilityVitamin D Research StudiesEssential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity

Antifungal activity of vitamin D3 against Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo

Open access
Lei, Junwen, Xiao, Wei, Zhang, Jinping, Liu, Fangyan, Xin, Caiyan, Zhou, Bo, Chen, Wenbi, Song, Zhangyong·2022·Microbiological Research

Abstract

The incidence of intra-abdominal candidiasis (IAC), characterized by high morbidity and mortality, has become a serious concern. The limitations of current antifungal drugs on the market underscores the importance of the development of novel antifungal agents. In the present study, the antifungal activity of vitamin D 3 (VD 3) against various Candida species was investigated. In vitro, the broth microdilution method and solid plate assay confirmed that VD 3 inhibited the growth of Candida spp. in a broad-spectrum, dose-dependent manner. VD 3 also had a significant antifungal effect on the initiation, development, and maturation phases of biofilm formation in Candida albicans. The mechanism of VD 3 action was explored by transcriptomics and reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis, and showed that VD 3 affects ribosome biogenesis, coenzyme metabolism, and carbon metabolism. These results suggested that VD 3 may have multitarget effects against C. albicans. In the murine IAC model, VD 3 reduced the fungal burden in the liver, kidneys, and small intestine. Further histopathological analysis and quantification of plasma cytokine levels confirmed that VD 3 treatment significantly decreased the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the levels of plasma interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Taken together, these findings suggest a new antifungal mechanism for VD 3 and indicate that VD 3 could be an effective therapeutic agent for use in IAC treatment.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.micres.2022.127200

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Authors
Lei, J., Xiao, W., Zhang, J., Liu, F., Xin, C., Zhou, B., Chen, W., & Song, Z.
Affiliations
Southwest Medical University (CN)
Corresponding author
  • Chen, Wenbi
  • Song, Zhangyong
Venue
Microbiological Research
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2022-12
Volume
265
Pages
127200
ISSN
0944-5013 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4296519201
Cited by
39
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 10
FWCI
4.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Microbiological Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Antifungal resistance and susceptibility
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Vitamin D Research Studies
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity
Keywords
vitamin D3, Candida albicans, intra-abdominal candidiasis, antifungal activity, biofilm formation, ribosome biogenesis, coenzyme metabolism, carbon metabolism, mouse infection model, inflammatory cytokines, interferon-gamma, TNF-α, novel antifungal agents
MeSH terms
Animals, Antifungal Agents, Candida, Candida albicans, Candidiasis, Carbon, Cholecalciferol, Coenzymes, Interferons, Microbial Sensitivity Tests, Cytokines, Tumor Necrosis Factors, Mice

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