Current evidence for vitamin D in intestinal function and disease

Abstract

Vitamin D activity is associated with the modulation of a wide variety of biological systems, in addition to its roles in calcium homeostatic mechanisms. While vitamin D is well known to promote gastrointestinal calcium absorption, vitamin D also plays a role in attenuating and/or preventing the progression of several gastrointestinal diseases including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and colorectal cancer, and may also play a role in chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis. The pro-differentiation, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin D, which has been reported in numerous circumstances, are key potential mechanisms of action in the prevention of gastrointestinal disorders. While the debate of the effectiveness of vitamin D to treat bone pathologies continues, the clinical importance of vitamin D therapy to prevent gastrointestinal disorders should be investigated given current evidence, using both nutritional and pharmaceutical intervention approaches. Impact statement The non-skeletal functions of vitamin D play an important role in health and disease. The anti-inflammatory properties and maintenance of intestinal function fulfilled by vitamin D impact other systems in the body though downstream processing. This review provides insight into the mechanisms underpinning the potential benefits of vitamin D in both maintaining intestinal homeostasis and associated diseased states.

The Role of Anthocyanins in Alleviating Intestinal Diseases: A Mini Review

“…33 Tregs represent a special subgroup of T cells, a critical factor in regulating self-tolerance and homeostasis. 81 The development of Treg not only induces the development of anti-inflammatory cytokines, 63 such as IL-10, but also is related to the production of immunoglobulin A (IgA), an important anti-inflammatory antibody, which can achieve anti-inflammatory effects. Meanwhile, Tregs specifically regulated the expression of mucin-2 (MUC2) in goblet cells, increased mucus secretion, and enhanced the mucosal barrier.…”

“…In this case, the integrity of TJs can be improved by anthocyanins directly or indirectly . Anthocyanin-rich berries protectively regulate genetic and epigenetic biomarkers in patient tissues through demethylating tumor suppressors (secreted frizzled-related proteins 2 (SFRP2) and Wnt inhibitory factor 1 (WIF1)) upstream of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and regulating the expression of downstream genes (β-catenin, E-cadherin) , (Figure ). The Wnt signaling pathway is in charge of the multiplication of intestinal crypt stem cells and is related to the regeneration of intestinal epithelium .…”

Vitamin D is a potential treatment for the management of gastrointestinal mucositis

“…Vitamin D has several key roles in the intestine, aside from influencing calcium absorption, including inhibiting apoptosis, and promoting immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory pathways [13,25]. The multifaceted nature of vitamin D function in the gut suggests that it may overcome more than one aspect of the pathogenesis, warranting further investigations into the potential of vitamin D as a therapeutic target for GM.…”

Vitamin D supplementation in inflammatory bowel disease: a narrative review

“…La vitamina D ha demostrado mejorar la función de la barrera intestinal, regular el proceso inflamatorio y el equilibrio de la microbiota intestinal [31]. En la barrera intestinal, reduce la lesión celular provocada por la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal, mediante supresión de la apoptosis de las células del epitelio, regulación diferencial de las proteínas de unión estrecha (Occludin, Zo-1, Zo-2, Vinculin y Claudin) y alteración de la resistencia transepitelial [13,32].…”