Vitamin D: The Sunshine Bio-marker and Phylogenetic Analysis of the Evolution of Vitamin D Receptors
Abstract
Vitamin D also known as the sunlight biomarker plays a crucial role in the metabolism of bones and calcium
in the human body. It is mostly synthesized in the presence of UVB rays in a cascade of enzymatic and
non-enzymatic reactions. In the absence of appropriate synthesis, the Vitamin D levels plummet resulting in
its deficiency. Alternatively, higher levels of Vitamin D or Hypervitaminosis D is responsible for high levels
of calcium in the blood. Several published studies have suggested a direct correlation of Vitamin D deficiency
with diseases such as Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs), liver and renal failures, Parkinson’s disease,
Coronary Heart disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis in addition to the poor metabolism of bones, muscles,
and calcium. This multifaceted role of Vitamin D has compelled the clinicians worldwide to crown it as an
essential biomarker for studying several disease metabolisms, its onset and prognosis.
References
2. Bikle, 2017; Vitamin D: Production, Metabolism, and Mechanisms of Action; Endocrinology book.
3. Gunton & Girgis, 2018; Vitamin D and muscle, Bone Reports.
4. Sunyecz, 2008; The use of calcium and vitamin D in the management of osteoporosis, Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management.
5. Kongsbak et al., 2013; The Vitamin D Receptor and T Cell Function; Frontiers in Immunology.
6. Demer et al., 2018; Steroid Hormone Vitamin D: Implications for Cardiovascular Disease; Circulation Research.
7. Sintzel et al., 2018; Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis: A Comprehensive Review, Neurology and Therapy.
8. Sahota, 2014; Understanding vitamin D deficiency, Age ageing.
9. Thacher and Clarke, 2011; Vitamin D Insufficiency, Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
10. Veldurthy et al, 2016; Vitamin D, calcium homeostasis and aging; Bone research.
11. Wacker and Holick, 2013; Vitamin D—Effects on Skeletal and Extraskeletal Health and the Need for Supplementation, Nutrients.
12. Wang et al., 2017; Vitamin D and Chronic Diseases; Ageing and Disease.
13. Zhang and Naughton, 2010; Vitamin D in health and disease: Current perspectives, Nutrition Journal.
14. Garland et al., 2006; The Role of Vitamin D in Cancer Prevention, American Journal of Public Health.
15. Szymczak-Pajor and Śliwińska, 2019; Analysis of Association between Vitamin D Deficiency and Insulin Resistance, Nutrients.
16. Judd and Tangpricha, 2009; Vitamin D Deficiency and Risk for Cardiovascular Disease, The American Journal of Medical Sciences.
17. Parizadeh et al., 2019; Association of Vitamin D Status with Liver and Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials, and Cross-Sectional and Cohort Studies, International
Journal of Vitamin and Nutrient Research.
