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Vitamin D and diabetes mellitus: Causal or casual association?

Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders volume 18, pages 227–241 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

The incidence of both type 2 and type 1 diabetes mellitus has been increasing worldwide. Vitamin D deficiency, or the awareness of its prevalence, has also been increasing. Vitamin D may have a role in the pathogenic mechanisms predisposing to type 2 diabetes by modulating insulin resistance and/or pancreatic β-cell function. Vitamin D status or elements involved in its activation or transport may also be involved in the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus through immunomodulatory role . Based on these observations a potential association between vitamin D and diabetes has been hypothesized. In this review we discuss up to date evidence linking vitamin D with the development of diabetes. Moreover, the role of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention of both types of diabetes is analysed together with its role in improving glycemic control in diabetic patients. We also address the potential role of vitamin D deficiency in the development of macro- and microvascular complications in diabetes. Finally, we provide recommendation for Vitamin D therapy in diabetes in view of current evidence and highlight areas for potential future research in this area.

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Abbreviations

T2DM:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

T1DM:

Type 1 diabetes mellitus

VDR:

Vitamin D receptor

PTH:

Parathyroid hormone

GLUT-4:

Glucose transporter-4

PPAR:

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor

25(OH)D:

25-hydroxyvitamin D

OGTT:

Oral glucose tolerance test

HbA1c:

Glycated hemoglobin

VDBP:

Vitamin D binding protein

NOD mice:

Non obese diabetic mice

CRF:

Chronic renal failure

RAAS:

Rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system

GFR:

Glomerular filtration rate

DN:

Diabetic neuropathy

DR:

Diabetic retinopathy

CHD:

Coronary heart disease

CVD:

Cardiovascular disease

IMT:

Intima-media thickness

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism – Diabetes Center, 1st Clinic of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece

    M. Grammatiki, E. Rapti, S. Karras & Kalliopi Kotsa

  2. Division of Cardiovascular and Diabetes Research, Leeds Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds Ringgold Standard Institution, Leeds, UK

    R. A. Ajjan

  3. Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Kalliopi Kotsa

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  1. M. Grammatiki
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Grammatiki, M., Rapti, E., Karras, S. et al. Vitamin D and diabetes mellitus: Causal or casual association?. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 18, 227–241 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-016-9403-y

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Keywords

  • Vitamin D
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Type 1 diabetes
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Diabetes complications