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Genes, Brain, and Behavior Jan 2016Schizophrenia is a debilitating neuropsychiatric disorder that affects 1% of the US population. Based on twin and genome-wide association studies, it is clear that both... (Review)
Review
Schizophrenia is a debilitating neuropsychiatric disorder that affects 1% of the US population. Based on twin and genome-wide association studies, it is clear that both genetics and environmental factors increase the risk for developing schizophrenia. Moreover, there is evidence that conditions in utero, either alone or in concert with genetic factors, may alter neurodevelopment and lead to an increased risk for schizophrenia. There has been progress in identifying genetic loci and environmental exposures that increase risk, but there are still considerable gaps in our knowledge. Furthermore, very little is known about the specific neurodevelopmental mechanisms upon which genetics and the environment act to increase disposition to developing schizophrenia in adulthood. Vitamin D deficiency during the perinatal period has been hypothesized to increase risk for schizophrenia in humans. The developmental vitamin D (DVD) deficiency hypothesis of schizophrenia arises from the observation that disease risk is increased in individuals who are born in winter or spring, live further from the equator or live in urban vs. rural settings. These environments result in less exposure to sunlight, thereby reducing the initial steps in the production of vitamin D. Rodent models have been developed to characterize the behavioral and developmental effects of DVD deficiency. This review focuses on these animal models and discusses the current knowledge of the role of DVD deficiency in altering behavior and neurobiology relevant to schizophrenia.
Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Gene-Environment Interaction; Humans; Neurogenesis; Schizophrenia; Vitamin D Deficiency
PubMed: 26560996
DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12271 -
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research Aug 2010Vitamin D is important for bone health, as well as an increasing number of other health outcomes. Here we discuss the evidence relating to vitamin D in pregnancy, from... (Review)
Review
Vitamin D is important for bone health, as well as an increasing number of other health outcomes. Here we discuss the evidence relating to vitamin D in pregnancy, from preconception to the perinatal period. During pregnancy extra calcium required for fetal skeletal growth is attained by both maternal bone resorption and increased absorption from dietary sources, necessitating increased maternal vitamin D. Many women have low vitamin D status during pregnancy and may require supplementation, although optimal serum levels and intake required to achieve those levels is not yet well defined. Evidence from animal studies, with some supportive human evidence, suggests that fertility may be impaired in mothers with low vitamin D. During pregnancy, maintaining vitamin D and calcium levels may decrease the risks of pre-eclampsia, while gestational diabetes mellitus appears to be more common in those with low vitamin D status, although there is insufficient evidence of causality. The evidence in relation to increased risks of bacterial vaginosis and caesarean section similarly requires confirmation in carefully designed observational and experimental studies. This review outlines the emerging evidence that maternal vitamin D status during pregnancy is important for the health of the mother and offspring across a range of possible health outcomes.
Topics: Animals; Dietary Supplements; Female; Humans; Infertility, Female; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Outcome; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency
PubMed: 20440696
DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201000044 -
Autoimmunity Reviews Sep 2019Vitamin D plays a key role in in calcium homeostasis and, thus, provides an important support in bone growth by aiding in the mineralization of the collagen matrix.... (Review)
Review
Vitamin D plays a key role in in calcium homeostasis and, thus, provides an important support in bone growth by aiding in the mineralization of the collagen matrix. However, vitamin D performs various immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-fibrotic actions. Autoimmune diseases result from an aberrant activation of the immune system, whereby the immune response is directed against harmless self-antigens. Does vitamin D play a role in the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases? And, if so, what is its role? In the last decade, researchers' interest in vitamin D and its correlations with autoimmune diseases has considerably increased. We conducted a literature review, covering the period January 1, 2009 through March 30, 2019, in PubMed. We analyzed more than 130 studies in order to find a correlation between vitamin D levels and its effect upon several autoimmune diseases. The analysis demonstrated an inverse association between vitamin D and the development of several autoimmune diseases, such as SLE, thyrotoxicosis, type 1 DM, MS, iridocyclitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis vulgaris, seropositive RA, polymyalgia rheumatica. International multicenter study could allow us to confirm the data already present in the literature in the single clinical studies and to evaluate when to effectively supplement vitamin D in patients who do not take corticosteroids.
Topics: Autoimmune Diseases; Comorbidity; Dietary Supplements; Evidence-Based Practice; Humans; Immune System; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency
PubMed: 31323357
DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2019.102350 -
Journal of Nutritional Science and... 2013Interest 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... (Review)
Review
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 in-vitro 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.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Risk Factors; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamins
PubMed: 24477243
DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.59.479 -
Epileptic Disorders : International... Apr 2021The epilepsy-related risk factors for vitamin D deficiency, particularly the use of enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (EIAEDs), and how to treat vitamin D deficiency...
The epilepsy-related risk factors for vitamin D deficiency, particularly the use of enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (EIAEDs), and how to treat vitamin D deficiency in patients with epilepsy remain unclear. Our aims were to explore risk factors and the influence of EAIEDs in vitamin D status and to determine the efficacy of a daily dose of oral cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) in epileptic patients with vitamin D deficiency. Clinical data were collected and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) serum levels were measured. All patients with vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D ≤20 ng/mL) or insufficiency (25(OH)D from 21-29 ng/mL) were treated with 6,670 IU/day cholecalciferol for eight weeks and 25(OH)D was then remeasured. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed. A total of 92 patients (44.6% males), with mean age of 41.0±14.8 years, were included. Measurements of 25(OH)D revealed that 79.3% patients had abnormal levels: 56.5% were vitamin D deficient and 22.8% were vitamin D insufficient. The statistically significant risk factors for vitamin D deficiency identified were: number of AEDs, treatment with EIAEDs, low sun exposure, high body mass index (BMI) and a high frequency of epileptic seizures. After treatment, 25(OH)D mean level increased by 98.99% (regardless of EIAED use or being overweight). In our sample, more than half of the adults with epilepsy showed 25(OH)D deficiency. Patients on EIAEDs had lower 25(OH)D levels. A daily dose of 6,670 IU cholecalciferol successfully led to the correction of 25(OH)D levels. A higher dose in obese patients or in patients taking EIAEDs may not be warranted and this should be considered in future guidelines for routine vitamin D deficiency treatment.
Topics: Adult; Cholecalciferol; Epilepsy; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Portugal; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamins
PubMed: 33875410
DOI: 10.1684/epd.2021.1268 -
The American Journal of the Medical... Jul 2009Vitamin D is an important prohormone for optimal intestinal calcium absorption for mineralization of bone. Because the vitamin D receptor is present in multiple tissues,... (Review)
Review
Vitamin D is an important prohormone for optimal intestinal calcium absorption for mineralization of bone. Because the vitamin D receptor is present in multiple tissues, there has been interest in evaluating other potential functions of vitamin D, particularly, in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Cross-sectional studies have reported that vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risk of CVD, including hypertension, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease. Initial prospective studies have also demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of developing incident hypertension or sudden cardiac death in individuals with preexisting CVD. Very few prospective clinical studies have been conducted to examine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular outcomes. The mechanism for how vitamin D may improve CVD outcomes remains obscure; however, potential hypotheses include the downregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, direct effects on the heart, and vasculature or improvement of glycemic control. This review will examine the epidemiologic and clinical evidence for vitamin D deficiency as a cardiovascular risk factor and explore potential mechanisms for the cardioprotective effect of vitamin D.
Topics: Blood Vessels; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dietary Supplements; Heart; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Factors; Vitamin D Deficiency
PubMed: 19593102
DOI: 10.1097/MAJ.0b013e3181aaee91 -
Journal of the American Geriatrics... Jul 1995Because of changes that occur with aging, older people with any other risk factors for vitamin D deficiency are likely to have inadequate stores of this vitamin. The... (Review)
Review
Because of changes that occur with aging, older people with any other risk factors for vitamin D deficiency are likely to have inadequate stores of this vitamin. The consequences of vitamin D deficiency are likely to be losses in bone, strength, and function and the development of pain. Many questions remain regarding screening, prevention, and treatment of vitamin D deficiency. Supplementation may be unnecessary in most healthy, ambulatory seniors. Excessive supplementation in this group may lead to vitamin D toxicity. There does seem to be a role for supplementation in homebound older people who will not get adequate vitamin D from sunlight exposure. This population is at particular risk of developing vitamin D deficiency. Issues such as inadequate diet, physiologic changes with aging, polypharmacy, and diseases that interfere with vitamin D metabolism contribute to this risk. In such circumstances, a recommendation of 800 IU per day is reasonable. An alternative to daily dosing is a single oral dose of 100,000 IU of vitamin D (ergocalciferol or cholecalciferol) every 3 to 6 months. A simple maneuver is for geriatricians, who see many chronically ill patients with low vitamin D stores (who are likely to be seen in the office every 3 to 6 months), to administer vitamin D during the office visits. These dosing schedules have not been associated with toxicity and can be considered safe in homebound (sunlight-deprived) older adults.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Topics: Age Distribution; Aged; Aging; Female; Humans; Male; Nutritional Requirements; Prevalence; Risk Factors; United States; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency
PubMed: 7602040
DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1995.tb07059.x -
Gaceta Medica de Mexico 2022
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamin D
PubMed: 36572042
DOI: 10.24875/GMM.M22000707 -
International Journal of Paleopathology Dec 2018Although vitamin D is critical to calcium/phosphorus homeostasis, bone formation and remodeling, there is evolution-based variation between species in vitamin D... (Review)
Review
Although vitamin D is critical to calcium/phosphorus homeostasis, bone formation and remodeling, there is evolution-based variation between species in vitamin D metabolism and susceptibility to rickets and osteomalacia. Most herbivores produce vitamin D in response to sunlight, but dogs and cats have generally lost the ability as carnivore diets are rich in vitamin D. Nutritional deficiencies and/or poor exposure to sunlight can induce rickets in birds, swine, cattle and sheep, but horses are less susceptible as they have evolved a calcium homeostasis that is quite different than other animals. Adaptations to specific environments also affect disease incidence: llamas/alpacas out of their natural high altitude intense solar radiation environments are highly susceptible to vitamin D deficiency. The pathology of rickets/osteomalacia is similar across species, however fibrous osteodystrophy is more common and may also be present. Rickets/osteomalacia were likely more common in animals before the advent of commercial diets, but can be difficult to definitively diagnose especially in single archeological specimens. Consideration of species susceptibility, location - especially in terms of latitude, and any available information on diet, season of occurrence, husbandry practices or descriptions of affected animals can support the diagnosis of metabolic bone disease in animals.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Domestic; History, 15th Century; History, 16th Century; History, 17th Century; History, 18th Century; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; History, Ancient; History, Medieval; Vitamin D Deficiency
PubMed: 29544996
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2018.03.001 -
Chest Apr 2020
Topics: Biomarkers; Comorbidity; Humans; Lung; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency
PubMed: 32252921
DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2019.12.007