Vitamin D metabolism - what is new?

Abstract:

New findings provide better insight into the regulation of vitamin D biosynthesis in the skin, and its renal and extrarenal activation which are modulated by gene polymorphism, gene mutations, age, and metabolic status or hormonal signals. Vitamin D is a steroid hormone involved not only in the calcium and bone metabolism, but through the genomic and non-genomic effect binding to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) it modulates cell proliferation and differentiation, innate and adaptive immune response, and is important in preserving the integrity of various epithelial barriers (e.g. respiratory, enteral, and skin), and it promotes skeletal muscle function and regeneration, and has a beneficial effect on the heart and cardiovascular system. Vitamin D and its metabolites are bound in the plasma to the D-binding protein (DBP). VDR and DBP polymorphism and gene mutations affect vitamin D activity and function.

Key words:
calcitriol; metabolism; receptors; vitamin D; vitamin D-binding protein; vitamin D deficiency