Protective links between vitamin D, inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with a wide range of diseases and multiple forms of cancer including breast, colon, and prostate cancers. Relatively recent work has demonstrated vitamin D to be critical in immune function and therefore important in inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Because vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency is increasingly prevalent around the world, with an estimated 30%-50% of children and adults at risk for vitamin D deficiency worldwide, it could have a significant impact on IBD. Epidemiologic studies suggest that low serum vitamin D levels are a risk factor for IBD and colon cancer, and vitamin D supplementation is associated with decreased colitis disease activity and/or alleviated symptoms. Patients diagnosed with IBD have a higher incidence of colorectal cancer than the general population, which supports the notion that inflammation plays a key role in cancer development and underscores the importance of understanding how vitamin D influences inflammation and its cancer-promoting effects. In addition to human epidemiological data, studies utilizing mouse models of colitis have shown that vitamin D is beneficial in preventing or ameliorating inflammation and clinical disease. The precise role of vitamin D on colitis is unknown; however, vitamin D regulates immune cell trafficking and differentiation, gut barrier function and antimicrobial peptide synthesis, all of which may be protective from IBD and colon cancer. Here we focus on effects of vitamin D on inflammation and inflammation-associated colon cancer and discuss the potential use of vitamin D for protection and treatment of IBD and colon cancer.

Vitamin D differentially regulatesSalmonella-induced intestine epithelial autophagy and interleukin-1β expression

“…1,25D3 in the diet or delivered rectally decreased the severity and extent of inflammation in wild-type mice[35]. Furthermore, human studies documented some benefits of supplemental vitamin D in maintaining remission of Crohn’s disease[37]. However, the mechanism is not clear.…”

Nutritional Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

“…It regulates immune cells trafficking and differentiation, intestinal permeability, and antimicrobial peptide synthesis [98]. Several studies revealed an inverse association between serum concentration of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D and mucosal inflammation in IBD patients [105,106].…”

“…Such examples are some amino acids like glutamine, arginine and tryptophan [96], omega-3 PUFA [97], vitamin D [98], and curcumin [99].…”

Longitudinal, observational study on associations between postoperative nutritional vitamin D supplementation and clinical outcomes in esophageal cancer patients undergoing esophagectomy

“…A large number of preclinical studies have demonstrated several effects of vitamin D on the hallmarks of cancer, including anti-proliferative, anti-metastasis, anti-angiogenesis, pro-apoptosis and pro-differentiation activities891011121314. Observational studies have also revealed significant relationships of vitamin D with breast cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer610151617. Additionally, vitamin D deficiency could increase the risk of developing cancer and lead to a lower QOL1819.…”