Meghil MM, et al. - In this small pilot study of 23 patients, researchers examined how 12 weeks of 25(OH)D vitamin D supplementation (VDS) influence mediators of systemic inflammation in dark-skinned, periodontitis patients. Approximately 2-fold increase in serum 25(OH)D levels over baseline levels were noted following vitamin D supplementation. Furthermore, they noted reduced peripheral blood CD3 and CD3+CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTLs) counts and reduced pro-inflammatory salivary cytokines in VDS group. In contrast, levels of the autophagy-related proteins and other proteins crucial for anti-microbial autophagy in whole blood PBMCs were higher in VDS group. These findings suggest multiple benefits of VDS for decreasing systemic inflammation and supporting the induction of autophagy-related proteins linked to anti-microbial functions. autophagy, immunity, periodontitis, saliva, vitamin D