Osteoporosis and dermatoporosis: a review on the role of vitamin D

Abstract

Osteoporosis (OP) and Dermatoporosis (DP) are expressions of the aging process at the skin and bone levels, respectively. Both conditions are associated with increased morbidity for elderly people, and this requires necessary interventions. They share many common risk factors; among these, vitamin D (VD) deficiency appears to have a role. VD is involved in either disease with many mechanisms, among which immunomodulation. VD deficiency has been linked to OP because it inhibits the body’s capacity to absorb calcium and maintain optimal bone health. Available evidence suggests that proper vitaminosis D also appears to be vital in preventing skin age-related issues. DP is often seen in elderly individuals, particularly those with long-term sun exposure and a history of chronic sun damage. VD deficiency can be linked to DP, since its involvement in collagen production, epidermal barrier function, inflammation regulation, wound healing, and sun protection. Aim of this review is to summarize the most updated existing evidence on the role of VD in the development of fragility syndromes such as DP and OP and the possible benefits of VD supplementation as a simple and harmful weapon against aging.

A view on the skin–bone axis: unraveling similarities and potential of crosstalk

“…The effects of skin aging undermine the skin at a functional level as well, diminishing the important preventive properties of the skin. The effects of aging are called dermatoporosis in the skin and osteoporosis in the bones; moreover, attention has focused on the prevention and treatment of dermatoporosis ( 29 ). A causal relationship between osteoporosis and bone collagen has been suggested because collagen, as well as mineralization, is important for bone structure and strength, and the collagen content and cross-linking status in the bone have been investigated ( 26 , 30 ).…”

“…In addition, from a vertebrate evolutionary perspective, bone derives from mineralization surrounding the skin’s basement membrane, and its evolution depended on sunlight exposure and photosynthesis of VD in the skin ( 31 ). In the skin, VD contributes to collagen production by regulating keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, the epidermal barrier function, inflammation, wound healing, and sun protection, suggesting that VD deficiency leads to dermatoporosis ( 29 ). VD has also been shown to act directly on organs such as the bone and skin or indirectly on inflammatory processes that affect the immune system and, in turn, are major factors in the onset of numerous diseases, including bone and skin aging ( 29 ).…”

“…Furthermore, calcium (Ca) plays an important role in maintaining homeostasis of the skin barrier function ( 85 ). VD deficiency of skin origin may induce systemic Ca deficiency, resulting in osteoporosis in the bones and impaired skin barrier function, hypersensitivity, and pruritus in the skin ( 29 , 86 ).…”

Sarcopenia in liver cirrhosis: perspectives from epigenetics and microbiota

“…Vitamin D is a fat-soluble steroid derivative, which mainly functions in the human body as vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is hydroxylated in vivo in two steps to the biologically active 1, 25 (OH) 2 D 3 , which binds to its nuclear receptor VDR and induces elevated blood calcium and phosphorus, leading to bone mineralization and remodeling ( 48 ).…”

Local Effects of Steroid Hormones within the Bone Microenvironment

“…Although the primary function of vitamin D 3 is the regulation of calcium metabolism, it also plays a key role in the regulation of bone homeostasis [114]. Importantly, it controls both bone formation and resorption by promoting osteoblast development and regulating the expression of RANKL on osteoblasts and osteocytes [115,116].…”