Vitamin D and diabetes

RESUMEN

The existence of impaired glucose tolerance in vitamin D-deficient individuals and the discovery of receptors for 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 -the activated form of vitamin D- in isletbeta-cells and immune cells, the main cells involved in the pathogenesis of both types of diabetes, have aroused scientific and clinical interest in the potential role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of the diseases, but even more so with respect to its therapeutic potential in the prevention of both forms of diabetes. Vitamin Ddeficiency is detrimental to insulin synthesis and secretion in animal models, as well as in humans, and predisposes them to type 2 diabetes. Interventions with pharmacological doses of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 or newer structural analogues can delay onset of type 1 diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice, mainly through immunomodulation, but, to date, no human data are available. Epidemiological studies suggest links between onset of type 1 diabetes and vitamin D deficiency in early life and with certain polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor. At present, the most important conclusion from the studies on vitamin D and diabetes is that avoiding vitamin D deficiency is a priority not only for calcium and bone issues, but also for diabetes prevention

ABSTRACT

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