nutrients
ISSN 2072-6643
www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients
Review
Vitamin D and Cardiovascular Disease
Vivian Cristina Garcia and Lígia Araújo Martini *
Nutrition Department, School of Public Health, Sao Paulo University, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, Cerqueira
César, CEP 01246-904, São Paulo, Brazil; E-Mail: viviangarcia@usp.br
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: E-Mail: lmartini@usp.br;
Tel.: +55-11-3061-7859.
Received: 26 January 2010; in revised form: 15 March 2010 / Accepted: 19 March 2010 /
Published: 31 March 2010
by Vivian Cristina Garcia and Lígia Araújo Martini
Nutrition Department, School of Public Health, Sao Paulo University, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 715, Cerqueira César, CEP 01246-904, São Paulo, Brazil
Vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency has been observed worldwide at all stages of life. It has been characterized as a public health problem, since low concentrations of this vitamin have been linked to the pathogenesis of several chronic diseases. Several studies have suggested that vitamin D is involved in cardiovascular diseases and have provided evidence that it has a role in reducing cardiovascular disease risk. It may be involved in regulation of gene expression through the presence of vitamin D receptors in various cells, regulation of blood pressure (through renin-angiotensin system), and modulation of cell growth and proliferation including vascular smooth muscle cells and cardiomyocytes. Identifying correct mechanisms and relationships between vitamin D and such diseases could be important in relation to patient care and healthcare policies.
Introduction
The main function of vitamin D relates to the development and maintenance of bone tissue. It is responsible for maintaining calcium and phosphorus homeostasis. Vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency has been observed worldwide at all stages of life. It has been characterized as a public health problem, since low concentrations of this vitamin has been linked to the pathogenesis of several chronic diseases with cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, heart failure, atherosclerosis and peripheral arterial disease [1-3]. Following the discovery of the presence of vitamin D receptors (VDR) in many cells, including cardiomyocytes [4], vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) [5] and endothelium [6], several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the relationship between vitamin D and the development of cardiovascular disease. Such mechanisms include involvement of vitamin D in the angiotensin-renin system [7] and proliferation and growth of VSMC [8].
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