Vitamin D, Immune Function, and Atherosclerosis. Where Are We Now?

• Published in: Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2024-07
• Main Authors: Rivero, Ailyn, Wehmeier, Kent R., Haas, Michael J., Mooradian, Arshag D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atherosclerosis; Coronary Artery Disease; Inflammation; Vitamin D
• ISSN: 0271-5317; 1879-0739
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2024.07.007

•Vitamin D-related immunosuppressant activity may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease•Vitamin D promotes macrophage polarization and suppresses various immune responses•Vitamin D may prevent end-stage renal- and autoimmune-related cardiovascular disease•Several recent systematic reviews/meta-analyses have presented conflicting results•More information is needed to address outstanding issues The role of vitamin D in regulating calcium metabolism and skeletal growth and disease is widely recognized. Indeed, current recommendations for serum vitamin D concentrations are based on these parameters. A serum vitamin D 30 ng/ml is adequate. However, over the past number of years, epidemiological studies, randomized clinical trials (RCT), and pre-clinical animal and cell culture-based research have demonstrated that vitamin D modulates immune function. Cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and in industrialized nations, is mediated in part by chronic inflammation as well as by other well-established risk factors including dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. Vitamin D deficiency (