Vitamin D, disease and therapeutic opportunities.
The discovery of the vitamin D endocrine system and a receptor for the hormonal form, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3), has brought a new understanding of the relationship between vitamin D and metabolic bone diseases, and has also established the functions of vitamin D beyond the skeleton. This has ushered in many investigations into the possible roles of vitamin D in autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disorders, infectious diseases, cancers and granuloma-forming diseases. This article presents an evaluation of the possible roles of vitamin D in these diseases. The potential of vitamin D-based therapies in treating diseases for which the evidence is most compelling is also discussed.
Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 433 Babcock Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1544, USA.
Lori A
LA
Plum
Hector F
HF
DeLuca
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000378:metabolism; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D014807:Vitamin D