The role of vitamin D in menopausal women’s health

Abstract

Vitamin D (VD) is known to play an important role in the maintenance of calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. In recent years, there has also been a growing interest in Vitamin D for health issues beyond the bones. Menopausal women are at risk of reduced bone density and increased risk of fracture due to a decline in estrogen levels. There is also an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hyperlipidaemia due to impaired lipid metabolism. The menopausal and emotional symptoms due to menopause are also increasingly prominent. This article summarizes the role of Vitamin D in menopausal women’s health, including the effects of Vitamin D on skeletal muscle, cardiovascular disease, Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), cancer and emotional symptoms. Vitamin D regulates the growth of vaginal epithelial cells and alleviates genitourinary tract problems in menopausal women. Vitamin D also modulates immune function and influences the production of adipokines. Vitamin D and its metabolites also have an anti-proliferative effect on tumour cells. This narrative review, by summarizing recent work on the role of Vitamin D in menopausal women and in animal models of menopause, aims to provide a basis for further development of the role of Vitamin D in the health of menopausal women.

Resolution of the national interdisciplinary council of experts "High-dose vitamin D (Devilam) in the practice of an obstetrician-gynecologist"

“…К плейотропным эффектам витамина D в период менопаузы можно отнести: профилактику саркопении, снижение рисков ССЗ, протекцию в рамках генитоуринарного менопаузального синдрома (ГУМС), купирование вазомоторных симптомов, модулирование иммунной функции и влияние на выработку адипокинов, а также антипролиферативное действие на опухолевые клетки [ 99 ][ 100 ].…”

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“…In conclusion, its decrease leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism, which in turn induces changes in the bone metabolism causing reduction in bone mass and osteoporotic fractures. (26) The role of vitamin D is to regulate the growth of vaginal epithelial cells, relieve genitourinary tract problems, modulate the production of adipokines, and have an anti-proliferative effect on tumor cells; It has been shown in clinical studies that their normal levels decrease in depressed patients, they intervene in the production of proinflammatory cytokines, activating a stress response; They also have a regulatory and protective effect on the dopamine system of the brain, similar to the so-called antidepressants, so low values of Vitamin D are related to cognitive deterioration in menopausal women. (26,27) Long-term low-dose administration has significantly inhibited the formation of neutrophils in tissues, positively regulating vascular endothelial growth factor, reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, improving microvascular growth of the tissue and thus relieving the inflammatory response.…”

“…(26) The role of vitamin D is to regulate the growth of vaginal epithelial cells, relieve genitourinary tract problems, modulate the production of adipokines, and have an anti-proliferative effect on tumor cells; It has been shown in clinical studies that their normal levels decrease in depressed patients, they intervene in the production of proinflammatory cytokines, activating a stress response; They also have a regulatory and protective effect on the dopamine system of the brain, similar to the so-called antidepressants, so low values of Vitamin D are related to cognitive deterioration in menopausal women. (26,27) Long-term low-dose administration has significantly inhibited the formation of neutrophils in tissues, positively regulating vascular endothelial growth factor, reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, improving microvascular growth of the tissue and thus relieving the inflammatory response. (27) Vitamin E: It is a fat-soluble, exogenous substance, it belongs to the group of antioxidant tocopherols and tocotrienols that can be found in the human body, in plasma lipoproteins, as a component of cell membranes, having a main dietary source (vegetable oils, meat, eggs, cereals).…”

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“…A large proportion of postmenopausal women (50-80%) is affected by vitamin D deficiency [57]. After the menopause transition, the cutaneous and hepatic production of vitamin D is reduced, as is its intestinal absorption [58,59]. In addition, estrogens regulate the hepatic production of vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) and albumin, to which vitamin D binds within the bloodstream [60].…”