Role of Vitamin D in Cardiometabolic Diseases

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is a highly prevalent condition. Low vitamin D levels have long been associated with bone diseases, such as rickets in children and osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults. However, it has become apparent in recent years that adequate vitamin D levels are also important for optimal functioning of many organs and tissues throughout the body, including the cardiovascular system. Evolving data indicate that vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Studies have shown that low vitamin D levels are associated with hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, left ventricular hypertrophy, and chronic vascular inflammation, all of which are risk factors for CVD. This paper reviews the definition and pathophysiology of vitamin D deficiency, clinical evidence linking vitamin D and CVD risk, diabetes and its complications, and metabolic syndrome.

Impact of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, free and bioavailable fractions of vitamin D, and vitamin D binding protein levels on metabolic syndrome components

“…The appropriate concentration of vitamin D is important in many diseases, including abdominal obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia [3, 4]. It is believed that excessive body weight is a significant factor that leads to lower serum concentrations of the vitamin.…”

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is associated with major cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac structure and function in patients with coronary artery disease

“…Recent studies also suggest that patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) have generally lower levels of Vitamin D compared to healthy population [2] although much heterogeneity in the results connecting Vitamin D to cardiovascular disease exists. Furthermore, both animal [4] and human [5,6] studies have reported associations between Vitamin D levels and cardiac function and morphology.…”

The effect of vitamin D supplementation on serum lipids in postmenopausal women with diabetes: A randomized controlled trial

“…These cytokines have the ability to inhibit lipoprotein-lipase, an enzyme responsible for hydrolyzing triglycerides (TG) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) to form fatty acids and glycerol, which leads to the elevation of TG and VLDL, and to a decrease in high density lipoproteins (HDL) [9]. Vitamin D has immuno-modulatory functions that regulate the production pro-inflammatory interleukins, and in this way counteracts the actions of these on the blood lipids [9,10].…”