Vitamin D Effects on Bone Metabolism
Summary
Vitamin D is a pivotal regulator of skeletal health, acting both systemically and locally to govern calcium and phosphate balance and to direct the behaviour of bone cells. Following cutaneous synthesis or dietary intake, vitamin D undergoes sequential hydroxylation in the liver and kidney to yield the active hormone 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃. This metabolite binds the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in osteoblasts and osteocytes to promote matrix synthesis, mineral deposition and the expression of key regulatory proteins. Indirectly, vitamin D modulates osteoclast development through the regulation of RANKL and osteoprotegerin, thereby calibrating bone resorption. Beyond its endocrine role, bone-resident cells express the enzymes CYP27B1 and CYP24A1, enabling autocrine and paracrine control of local 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ concentrations. Deficiency impairs mineralisation and predisposes to rickets, osteomalacia and osteoporosis, with significant implications for global fracture prevention. Contemporary research has illuminated cross-talk between vitamin D signalling and oxidative stress pathways, sex hormone axes and immune modulation, fostering novel approaches to supplementation, analogue development and tissue engineering strategies aimed at enhancing skeletal resilience.
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Vitamin D Effects on Bone Metabolism publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in vitamin d effects on bone metabolism across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D₃: The hormonally active form of vitamin D that binds the VDR to regulate calcium and phosphate metabolism.
Osteoblast: A bone-forming cell responsible for synthesising and mineralising the organic matrix.
Osteoclast: A multinucleated cell that resorbs bone by secreting acid and proteolytic enzymes.
CYP27B1: The enzyme that converts 25-hydroxyvitamin D into its active 1α,25-dihydroxy form.
Bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC): A progenitor cell capable of differentiating into osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes.
Vitamin D receptor (VDR): A nuclear receptor that mediates the genomic effects of active vitamin D on target gene transcription.
References
- Vitamin D and Bone: A Story of Endocrine and Auto/Paracrine Action in Osteoblasts. Nutrients (2023).
- Eldecalcitol prevented OVX-induced osteoporosis through inhibiting BMSCs senescence by regulating the SIRT1-Nrf2 signal. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2023).
- Roles of sex hormones in mediating the causal effect of vitamin D on osteoporosis: A two-step Mendelian randomization study. Frontiers in Endocrinology (2023).
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