Muscle Regeneration and Function in Sports: A Focus on Vitamin D

Abstract

Muscle is one of the main targets for the biological effects of vitamin D. This hormone modulates several functions of skeletal muscles, from development to tissue repair after injury, through genomic and non-genomic mechanisms. Vitamin D deficiency and supplementation seem to significantly affect muscle strength in different populations, including athletes, although optimal serum 25(OH)D3 level for sport performance has not been defined so far. Additionally, vitamin D deficiency results in myopathy characterized by fast-twitch fiber atrophy, fatty infiltration, and fibrosis. However, less is known about regenerative effects of vitamin D supplementation after sport-related muscle injuries. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is particularly expressed in the embryonic mesoderm during intrauterine life and in satellite cells at all stages of life for recovery of the skeletal muscle after injury. Vitamin D supplementation enhances muscle differentiation, growth, and regeneration by increasing the expression of myogenic factors in satellite cells. The objective of this narrative review is to describe the role of vitamin D in sport-related muscle injury and tissue regeneration.

The short-term effect of vitamin D supplementation on the response to muscle and liver damages indices by exhaustive aerobic exercise in untrained men: a quasi-experimental study

“…Consistent with our results, Pilch et al, [ 23 ] and Choi et al, [ 24 ] reported that vitamin D improves EAE-induced skeletal muscle cell damage. Vit D modulates several functions of skeletal muscles via increasing the expression of myogenic factors in satellite cells, enhancing muscle differentiation, growth, and regeneration, modulating myostatin via increased follistatin expression, modulating phosphate metabolism by affecting mitochondrial health via modulating calcium metabolism, thus reducing the muscle injury and increasing the recovery from EAE sessions [ 17 ].…”

“…Optimal vitamin D levels suppress inflammatory reactions by helping to maintain adequate levels of appropriate anti-inflammatory cytokines (mainly TNF-α and interleukin-10) [ 14 ]. In addition, by activating intracellular receptors, vitamin D increases the protein content of cells, increases muscle strength and endurance (maintaining proper ATP levels) [ 15 , 16 ], protects muscle fibers degeneration [ 17 ], and delays the onset of muscle pain and fatigue [ 18 ].…”

Effects of vitamin D supplementation on muscle function and recovery after exercise‐induced muscle damage: A systematic review

“…Again, the low daily dosages of vitamin D may be the cause of these unexpected results. Recently, Iolascon et al 57 investigated the effects of vitamin D on muscle tissue through genomic and non‐genomic pathways, concluding that vitamin D supplementation enhances the structural and functional restoration of the muscles, by increasing the expression of myogenic factors in satellite cells during recovery from muscle damage.…”

Comparative Study of the Effects of Two Dietary Sources of Vitamin D on the Bone Metabolism, Welfare and Birth Progress of Sows Fed Protein- and Phosphorus-Reduced Diets

“…In contrast, vitamin D was shown to support the healing of muscle tissue in rats subjected to crush injury and in humans experiencing exercise-induced muscle injury [42,43]. Given that the rapid changes between anabolism and catabolism in modern, high performing sows kept on a restricted protein supply include a periodic process of regeneration, different aspects regarding the mode of action that are currently under discussion have been reviewed recently by Iolascon et al [44].…”