Vitamin D Deficiency and Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Vitamin D (VD) is a molecule that can be synthesized directly in the humans' body or enter the organism with food in the form of inactive precursors. To exert its biological action, VD undergoes two-stage hydroxylation (at the 25th and 1st position) catalyzed by cytochromes P450, the presence of which has already been shown in almost all tissues of the human body. The product of hydroxylation is hormone-active form of vitamin D-1,25(OH) 2 D. 1,25(OH) 2 D binds to specific vitamin D receptor (VDR) and regulates the expression of genes involved in bone remodeling (classical function) and genes that control immune response, hormone secretion, cell proliferation, and differentiation (nonclassical functions). VD deficiency is prevalent around the globe and may be one of the key factors for diabetes development. The direct association between vitamin D deficiency and type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D) diabetes has been proven. Detection of VDR in pancreas and adipose tissue, skeletal muscles, and immune cells allowed implying the antidiabetic role of vitamin D by enhancing insulin synthesis and exocytosis, increasing the expression of the insulin receptor, and modulating immune cells' functions. This chapter summarizes data about relationship between VD insufficiency/deficiency and development of T1D and T2D, and their complications.

High early pregnancy serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level, within a sub-optimal range, is associated with gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study

“…Vitamin D is also involved in immune system development and function. A vitamin D receptor is located on most immunological cells [ 22 ], and the active form of vitamin D regulates circulating glucose levels by binding to the vitamin D receptor of pancreatic β-cells and modulating insulin secretion [ 23 24 ]. The effects of VDD could increase insulin resistance and subsequently affect blood glucose metabolism, further contributing to increased GDM risk.…”