The Role of Vitamin D and Its Molecular Bases in Insulin Resistance, Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, and Cardiovascular Disease: State of the Art.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to explore the relationship between vitamin D (and its role in calcium regulation) and its effects on inflammation, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
Results Summary
The study found that vitamin D influences calcium/phosphorous balance and may modulate inflammation, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic health, though supplementation effects remain controversial with mixed outcomes on glycemic control and inflammation.
Population
General human population, with implications for those with metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vitamin D | increase | anti-inflammatory cytokines | - | - | produced at higher levels | #1 |
vitamin D | decrease | pro-inflammatory cytokines | - | - | released at lower levels | #2 |
low levels of vitamin D | increase | Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) expression | - | - | is linked to | #3 |
low levels of vitamin D | increase | a pro-inflammatory state | - | - | is linked to | #4 |
vitamin D | increase | insulin sensitivity | - | - | directly improves | #5 |
vitamin D | increase | insulin secretion | - | - | directly improves | #6 |
vitamin D | neutral | the ratio of pro- to anti-inflammatory cytokines | - | - | may change | #7 |
vitamin D | decrease | vitamin D concentrations and pro-inflammatory markers | - | - | demonstrated an inverse relationship | #8 |
vitamin D | decrease | vitamin D concentrations and insulin resistance | - | - | demonstrated an inverse relationship | #9 |
vitamin D | decrease | vitamin D concentrations and glucose intolerance | - | - | demonstrated an inverse relationship | #10 |
vitamin D | decrease | vitamin D concentrations and metabolic syndrome | - | - | demonstrated an inverse relationship | #11 |
vitamin D | decrease | vitamin D concentrations and obesity | - | - | demonstrated an inverse relationship | #12 |
vitamin D | decrease | vitamin D concentrations and cardiovascular disease | - | - | demonstrated an inverse relationship | #13 |
vitamin D | decrease | vitamin D levels and the occurrence of diabetes mellitus | - | - | revealed an inverse correlation | #14 |
Vitamin D supplementation | increase | insulin sensitivity | people | - | demonstrated improvements | #15 |
Vitamin D supplementation | increase | glucose metabolism | people | - | demonstrated improvements | #16 |
Vitamin D supplementation | increase | lipid metabolism | people | - | demonstrated improvements | #17 |
Vitamin D supplementation | no change | glycemic homeostasis | people | - | revealed no significant effect | #18 |
Vitamin D supplementation | no change | inflammation | people | - | revealed no significant effect | #19 |
In the last decade, an increasing awareness was directed to the role of Vitamin D in non-skeletal and preventive roles for chronic diseases. Vitamin D is an essential hormone in regulating calcium/phosphorous balance and in the pathogenesis of inflammation, insulin resistance, and obesity. The main forms of vitamin D, Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) and Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2) are converted into the active form (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D) thanks to two hydroxylations in the liver, kidney, pancreas, and immune cells. Some anti-inflammatory cytokines are produced at higher levels by vitamin D, while some pro-inflammatory cytokines are released at lower levels. Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) expression is increased, and a pro-inflammatory state is also linked to low levels of vitamin D. Regardless of how it affects inflammation, various pathways suggest that vitamin D directly improves insulin sensitivity and secretion. The level of vitamin D in the body may change the ratio of pro- to anti-inflammatory cytokines, which would impact insulin action, lipid metabolism, and the development and function of adipose tissue. Many studies have demonstrated an inverse relationship between vitamin D concentrations and pro-inflammatory markers, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. It is interesting to note that several long-term studies also revealed an inverse correlation between vitamin D levels and the occurrence of diabetes mellitus. Vitamin D supplementation in people has controversial effects. While some studies demonstrated improvements in insulin sensitivity, glucose, and lipid metabolism, others revealed no significant effect on glycemic homeostasis and inflammation. This review aims to provide insight into the molecular basis of the relationship between vitamin D, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, type 1 and 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.