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Vitamin D and liver fibrosis: Molecular mechanisms and clinical studies.

Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
January 1, 2019
Wanvisa Udomsinprasert et al. (2 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to summarize the role of vitamin D in liver fibrosis pathology and evaluate its potential clinical utility as a treatment.

Results Summary

Vitamin D exhibits anti-fibrotic effects on hepatic stellate cells via vitamin D receptor-mediated pathways, inhibiting pro-fibrogenic genes. Low vitamin D levels are associated with increased liver fibrosis risk, and deficiency is prevalent in patients with liver fibrosis, suggesting its potential as a biochemical marker.

Population

Patients with liver fibrosis, particularly those with chronic liver diseases.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (5)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
vitamin D
decrease
hepatic stellate cells
-
-
possesses an anti-fibrotic effect
#1
vitamin D
decrease
pro-fibrogenic genes
-
-
inhibit expression
#2
low vitamin D levels
increase
increased risk of liver fibrosis
-
-
significant association
#3
vitamin D deficiency
increase
vitamin D deficiency
patients with liver fibrosis
-
high prevalence
#4
vitamin D supplementation
decrease
liver fibrosis
-
-
may benefit
#5
Abstract

Vitamin D plays a primary role in regulation of bone metabolism and calcium homeostasis. Interestingly, emerging evidence suggests protective effects of vitamin D against liver fibrogenesis. However, the precise mechanisms of this action remain mysterious. Herein, this review aimed to summarize the role of vitamin D in liver fibrosis pathology and to update the current comprehensive knowledge regarding the clinical utility of vitamin D-based treatment in liver fibrosis. In regard to its effect on liver fibrosis, vitamin D possesses an anti-fibrotic effect on hepatic stellate cells via vitamin D receptor-mediated specific signal transduction pathways, which in turn inhibit expression of pro-fibrogenic genes. Furthermore, several studies demonstrated a significant association between low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of liver fibrosis. Additionally, high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was noted in patients with liver fibrosis, suggesting the use of vitamin D status as a biochemical marker reflecting the progression of liver fibrosis. It is therefore reasonable to postulate that vitamin D supplementation being a cost effective and relative simple procedure may benefit to liver fibrosis. Nevertheless, further research is needed to fully elucidate its regulatory role in inhibiting liver fibrogenesis and to estimate the safety and efficiency of vitamin D supplementation as a relatively inexpensive treatment for liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver diseases.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AnimalsDietary SupplementsDisease ProgressionHepatic Stellate CellsHumansLiverLiver CirrhosisSignal TransductionVitamin DVitamin D Deficiency
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations56
Citations/Year9.3
Relative Citation Ratio3.22
NIH Percentile86.4%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.22
Normalized Score0.66
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