Title:The Physiological/Pathophysiological Significance of Vitamin D in Cancer, Cardiovascular Disorders and Beyond
Volume: 18
Issue: 3
Author(s): Manaf AlMatar*, Husam AlMandeal, Essam A. Makky, Begum Kayar, Emel Yarar, Isıl Var and Fatih Koksal
Affiliation:
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Natural and Applied Sciences (Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü), Cukurova University, 01330, Adana,Turkey
Keywords:
Vitamin D, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), clinical trials, therapeutic agent.
Abstract: Background: Vitamin D, a molecular precursor of the potent steroid hormone calcitriol, has crucial functions
and roles in physiology and pathophysiology. Tellingly, calcitriol has been shown to regulate various cellular
signalling networks and cascades that have crucial role in cancer biology and diagnostics. Mounting lines of evidences
from previous clinical and preclinical investigations indicate that the deficiency of vitamin D may contribute to the
carcinogenesis risk. Concomitantly, recent reports suggested that significant reduction in the cancer occurrence and
progression is more likely to appear after vitamin D supplementation. Furthermore, a pivotal role functioned by vitamin
D in cardiovascular physiology indicates that the deficiency of vitamin D is significantly correlated with enhanced
prevalence of stroke, hypertension and myocardial infarction. Notably, vitamin D status is more likely to be used as a
lifestyle biomarker, since poor and unhealthy lifestyles are correlated with the deficiency of vitamin D, a feature which
may result in cardiovascular complications. Moreover, recent reports revealed that the effect of vitamin D is to cover
not only cardiovascular system but also skeletal system.
Objective: Herein, we are highlighting the recent knowledge of vitamin D roles and functions with respect to pathophysiological
disorders such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and debate the potential
avails of vitamin D on slowing cancer, cardiovascular disease and RA progression.
Conclusion: The findings of this review confirm that the importance of vitamin D metabolites or analogues which can
provide a helpful platform to target some kinds of cancer, particularly when used in combination with existing therapies.
Moreover, the correlation between vitamin D deficiencies with cardiovascular diseases and rheumatoid arthritis
(RA) progression might suggest a pivotal role of vitamin D in either initiation or progression of these diseases.
