The Immunomodulatory Role of Vitamin D in Preventing Systemic Inflammation in Preeclampsia: A Systematic Review
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background: Preeclampsia remains a leading cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity worldwide. This condition is characterized by widespread endothelial dysfunction triggered by severe systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. The failure of placental spiral artery remodeling induces the release of various pro-inflammatory factors into
the maternal circulation.
Aim: This study aims to evaluate the immunomodulatory role of vitamin D in regulating
tumor necrosis factor-alpha production as a preventive strategy against systemic inflammation in preeclampsia.
Method: This study applied a systematic review design by screening scientific articles from five major databases. The article screening process utilized standard protocol guidelines applicable for selecting reputable clinical studies. A total of thirty clinical studies meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed in depth.
Result: Data analysis proved that optimizing vitamin D status significantly improved the maternal cytokine profile. Vitamin D deficiency was found to be strongly correlated with the dominance of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conversely, the molecular restoration of
vitamin D levels increased anti-inflammatory cytokine levels. This intervention suppressed inflammatory pathways in placental cells. The majority of studies confirmed this balance successfully stabilized the angiogenic biomarker ratio. The decrease in tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels improved fetoplacental blood flow parameters. Data synthesis indicated a reduced risk of severe preeclampsia onset. This immunomodulatory effect minimized the degree of vascular wall damage. Restoring vitamin D status contributes directly to maternal immunological balance.
Conclusion: This systematic review concludes that vitamin D exerts an effective immunomodulatory function in suppressing systemic inflammation through the regulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and the restoration of cytokine profile balance. Vitamin D intervention is recommended as an early adjuvant therapy for pregnant women at high risk for preeclampsia. Routine monitoring of vitamin D levels in early pregnancy is highly advised to prevent clinical worsening. Implication: Patients receiving early improvement in vitamin D status can experience direct clinical benefits that enhance maternal and infant safety.
Index Term: Preeclampsia, Immunomodulation, Vitamin D, Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha, Inflammatory Cytokines.
Full text article
Authors
Copyright (c) 2026 Pratiwi Madya Putri Raden Roro
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlikel 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).