Vitamin D and adrenal gland: Myth or reality? A systematic review

Abstract

In recent years, vitamin D has become the protagonist in many studies. From cardiology to oncology the spotlight was on this vitamin. While in the past it was considered for its important role in phospho-calcium metabolism and skeletal disorders; today by studying it better, thousands of scenarios and facets have opened up on this vitamin which is actually a hormone in all respects. There are authoritative studies that demonstrate its activity in vitro and in vivo on: carcinogenesis, inflammation, autoimmunity and endocrinopathies. Its role has been studied in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, in Hashimoto or Graves’ thyroiditis and even in adrenal gland diseases. In fact, there are several studies that demonstrate the possible correlations between vitamin D and: Addison’s disease, Cushing disease, hyperaldosteronism or adrenocortical tumors. Moreover, this fascinating hormone and adrenal gland even seem to be deeply connected by common genetic pathways. This review aimed to analyze the works that have tried to study the possible influence of vitamin D on adrenal diseases. In this review we analyze the works that have tried to study the possible influence of vita-min D on adrenal disease.

Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated with Impaired Sensitivity to Thyroid Hormones in Euthyroid Adults

“…Additionally, studies uncovered the widespread distribution and expression of the vitamin D receptor and its related metabolic enzymes in fat, pancreas, pituitary, and thyroid cells, indicating vitamin D's pleiotropic functions in health and diseases [3]. Previous studies have demonstrated that low 25(OH)D levels are related to infection [4,5], autoimmune diseases [6,7], and endocrine metabolic disorders such as diabetes [8], adrenal diseases [9], and polycystic ovary syndrome [10]. Recent evidence indicated a relationship between vitamin D concentrations and thyroid diseases, including autoimmune thyroid disease and thyroid cancer [11].…”

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“…Third, increasing vitamin D serum levels may improve TG and HDL in people with T2D. Vitamin D deficiency potentially impacts the functioning of beta cells and insulin resistance, consequently affecting lipoprotein metabolism and leading to elevated TG levels and decreased HDL levels (58). Lastly, vitamin D may reduce TG levels by regulating parathyroid hormone (PTH).…”

“…Lastly, vitamin D may reduce TG levels by regulating parathyroid hormone (PTH). The elevation of PTH levels may lead to an increase in the production of TG, and the presence of vitamin D inhibits the secretion of PTH in the bloodstream (58,59).…”