title: Vitamin D and diabetes: its importance for beta cell and immune function.
abstract: Experimental evidence indicates that vitamin D may play a role in the defense against type 1 diabetes (T1D) as well as type 2 diabetes (T2D). Epidemiological data have established a link between vitamin D deficiency and an increased incidence of both T1D and T2D, whereas early and long-term vitamin D supplementation may decrease the risk of these disorders. The protective effects of vitamin D are mediated through the regulation of several components such as the immune system and calcium homeostasis. However, an increasing amount of evidence suggests that vitamin D also affects beta cells directly thereby rendering them more resistant to the types of cellular stress encountered during T1D and T2D. This review evaluates the role of vitamin D signaling in the pathogenesis of T1D and T2D with a special emphasis on the direct effects of vitamin D on pancreatic beta cells.
authors: Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Endocrinology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Catholic University of Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. hwolden-kirk@health.sdu.dk
authors: Heidi
authors: H
authors: Wolden-Kirk
authors: Lut
authors: L
authors: Overbergh
authors: Henrik Thybo
authors: HT
authors: Christesen
authors: Klaus
authors: K
authors: Brusgaard
authors: Chantal
authors: C
authors: Mathieu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D018448:Models, Immunological; D012157:Mononuclear Phagocyte System / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D016328:NF-kappa B; D014807:Vitamin D