Mini-review of vitamin D roles

Created August 2011

The Multiple Roles of Vitamin D in Human Health. A Mini-Review

J. Boucher, Barbara

Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents - Medicinal Chemistry (Formerly, Volume 11, Number 3, September 2011 , pp. 220-227(8)

Vitamin D is a hormone precursor, originally provided by ultraviolet light-induced skin synthesis of cholecalciferol but, with modern lifestyles, humans depend on dietary intake [mainly as ergocalciferol]; adequate intakes are essential for musculo-skeletal health, the `classical' benefits of this vitamin, modulated by the activated hormonal metabolite, calcitriol. Most other tissues also contain vitamin D receptors and it's activating enzyme.

Hypovitaminosis D is associated with many disease risks and many protective mechanisms are known that explain this; in vitro and in vivo repletion or supplementation activating such mechanisms (e.g. in inflammation, atherosclerosis & malignancy).

This review outlines knowledge on the roles of vitamin in reducing all-cause mortality and ameliorating disease (including

  • metabolic syndrome,

  • insulin resistance and secretion,

  • diabetes,

  • hypertension,

  • cardiovascular disease,

  • autoimmunity,

  • arthritis,

  • multiple sclerosis,

  • periodontal disease,

  • Inflammatory bowel disease,

  • asthma and respiratory infections,

  • tuberculosis,

  • nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,

  • polycystic ovary syndrome and fertility,

  • wound healing,

  • psoriasis and sepsis).

    Interactions of vitamin D with calcium & vitamin A and variation in effects with genetic polymorphisms are referred to.

    Reasons for the continuing high prevalences of vitamin D insufficiency world-wide and current difficulties in defining both vitamin D status and adequate repletion are discussed. It is suggested that whilst calcitriol analogues may have increasing roles in treatment, adequate vitamin D repletion at the population level is likely to provide a very cost-effective measure for health promotion. However, adequate randomized controlled trials are needed before larger doses than currently used are considered for long-term use at the population level.

DOI: 10.2174/187152211796642774

See also VitaminDWiki

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