本論文研究維他命D3對於紅斑性狼瘡小鼠T輔助細胞活性以及疾病發展的影響。0.4或2μg維他命D3溶在50μL橄欖油中，每隔一天灌食小鼠。然後，以RT-PCR方法測量小鼠體內包括:IL-2,-4,-5,-6,-10,-12及IFN-γ等基因的表現。血清中IgG1,IgG2a,anti-dsDNA免疫球蛋白則利用免疫吸附法定量。整體而言，紅斑性狼瘡小鼠發病過程中，T輔助細胞活性的時序與發病的嚴重程度有關。但是，維他命D3餵食組中T輔助細胞活性相關細胞素基因的表現與控制組相近，IgG1,IgG2a與自體抗體量亦無明顯不同。僅管如此，餵食2μg維他命D3的小鼠隻生命期確較其他組別來得長。顯然維他命D3對於紅斑性狼瘡小鼠的保護效果似乎並非透過影響T輔助細胞活性相關細胞素，或是免疫球蛋白的種類來達成。

　　　　　We investigated the effect of dietary vitamin D3 on T helper-relatedactivities and progress of lupus in NZB/NZW F1 mice. Mice were fed with 0.4 or 2 μg vitamin D3 dissolved in 50 μL olive oil every other day. Expression of Icell-related cytokine genes including those of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12and IFN-y was monitored during the disease course by semi-quantitative reversetranscription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In addition, total serum IgG1 andIgG2a and anti-dsDNA antibody were measured. We observed a prolonged survival of micereceiving 2μg of vitamin D3 as compared with control mice. However, vitamin D3 did not significantly affect the anti-DNA antibody formation, IgG subtypeproportion, or cytokine expression profile.