Diagnostic and therapeutical role of vitamin D in chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
Although initially identified as a calcium homeostatic hormone, vitamin D is now known to have pleiotropic functions, dealing with both innate and adaptative immunity. Calcitriol mediates its biological effects by binding to the vitamin D receptor (VDR), which is expressed not only by intestine, bone and kidney but also on cell membranes of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, dendritic cells and macrophages. Vitamin D plays a role on the degree of liver damage in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC): low vitamin D levels have been associated with high hepatic necroinflammatory activity and progression of liver fibrosis. Vitamin D, in CHC patients, could also affect the response to antiviral therapy: in fact, recent studies have shown a relationship between low responsiveness to IFN-based therapy and low vitamin D serum levels. Further studies are required to better assess if vitamin D could work as a reliable noninvasive marker of liver fibrosis and whether vitamin D supplementation could be given to all CHC patients together with standard antiviral treatment, in order to improve the rate of sustained virological response (SVR).
University of Catania, Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Division of Infectious Diseases, Via Palermo 636, Catania, Italy. cacopardobruno@inwind.it
Bruno
B
Cacopardo
Calogero
C
Camma
Salvatore
S
Petta
Marilia Rita
MR
Pinzone
Alessandro
A
Cappellani
Antonio
A
Zanghi
Anna
A
Nicolosi
Giuseppe
G
Nunnari
D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014807:Vitamin D