Vitamin D in the aging musculoskeletal system: an authentic strength preserving hormone.
Until recently, vitamin D was only considered as one of the calciotrophic hormones without major significance in other metabolic processes in the body. Several recent findings have demonstrated that vitamin D plays also a role as a factor for cell differentiation, function and survival. Two organs, muscle and bone, are significantly affected by the presence, or absence, of vitamin D. In bone, vitamin D stimulates bone turnover while protecting osteoblasts of dying by apoptosis whereas in muscle vitamin D maintains the function of type II fibers preserving muscle strength and preventing falls. Furthermore, two major changes associated to aging: osteoporosis and sarcopenia, have been also linked to the development of frailty in elderly patients. In both cases vitamin D plays an important role since the low levels of this vitamin seen in senior people may be associated to a deficit in bone formation and muscle function. In this review, the interaction between vitamin D and the musculoskeletal components of frailty are considered from the basic mechanisms to the potential therapeutic approach. We expect that these new considerations about the importance of vitamin D in the elderly will stimulate an innovative approach to the problem of falls and fractures which constitutes a significant burden to public health budgets worldwide.
Montero-Odasso
Manuel
M
Geriatric Medicine Program, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Duque
Gustavo
G
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009141:Musculoskeletal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000378:metabolism; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D014807:Vitamin D