Vitamin D Deficiency and Cardiovascular Disease: Potential Mechanisms and Novel Perspectives

Abstract

Summary Interest in contemporary vitamin D research has been sparked in recent years, stemming from the identification of vitamin D receptors in virtually all cells as well as the enzymatic machinery necessary to produce its active form. Both epidemiological and invitro studies have linked vitamin D deficiency to enigmatic diseases including cardiovascular disease; however, a clear mechanistic link remains missing. This review highlights conclusions of observational studies, in-vitro experiments and randomized-controlled trials that aimed to link deficiency of the sunshine vitamin to one of the leading causes of death in the world, cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, putative mechanisms viewed from a novel perspective are also discussed.

Gender Differences in Vitamin D Status in China

“…In fact, accumulating evidence suggests that 1,25(OH) 2 D, the bioactive molecule of vitamin D in the body, participates in the processes of immune regulation, apoptosis, and cellular proliferation and differentiation by directly or indirectly affecting expression of genes [5,7,8]. Thus, inadequate vitamin D could be a basic cause of many diseases, including cardiovascular disease [9], cancer [10–12], and autoimmune diseases [7]. There is a need for individuals to learn their vitamin D status through testing, and public health research is needed to better understand the factors affecting vitamin D levels.…”

The Association Among Vitamin D, Insulin Resistance, and Obesity in Turkish Women

“…Vit D is essential for optimal functioning of many organs and tissues (9). Vit D deficiency is correlated with coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, and endothelial dysfunction (10). NHANES III trial demonstrated negative association between serum 25(OH)D 3 levels and hypertriglyseridemia, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity (11).…”

Is there any association between vitamin D levels and isolated coronary artery ectasia?

“…Although the underlying pathophysiology is not fully understood yet, the role of vit-D in the inflammatory response, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and insulin resistance may help to reveal the pathogenesis [14]. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with CAD, heart failure and stroke and identified as a risk factor for diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and endothelial dysfunction [10]. The NHANES III (National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys) study demonstrated an inverse relation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 (25(OH)D 3 ) levels and hypertriglyceridemia, diabetes, hypertension and obesity [24].…”

“…They reported that there is higher myocardial infarction prevalence in patients with reduced vit-D levels than in patients with normal vit-D levels [9]. Subsequent studies showed that there is an association between vit-D deficiency and CAD, heart failure and stroke, and suggested that vit-D deficiency is a risk factor for diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, endothelial dysfunction, subclinical atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis [10–14]. The receptors of vit-D are located in vascular smooth muscle cells, and the role of vit-D in the inflammatory response, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and insulin resistance may help to explain the association between vit-D deficiency and CAD [14, 15].…”