Department of woman, child and general and specialized surgery, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy.
Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic, and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Mini Rev Med Chem. 2024;24(15):1386-1394. doi: 10.2174/0113895575284873240212045431.
In recent years, our comprehension of the function of vitamin D has significantly evolved. The ubiquitous presence of the vitamin D receptor (Vitamin D Receptor- VDR) in the body has led to its redefinition from a steroidal hormone primarily involved in skeletal functions to a hormone with pleiotropic effects, exerting its influence on the circulatory, nervous, and immune systems. This has prompted investigations into its potential use in preventing and treating chronic metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, infections, and allergic and autoimmune diseases. This comprehensive review explores the various aspects of vitamin D, including its sources, synthesis, functions, and its impact on different physiological systems. It delves into the epidemiology of vitamin D deficiency, highlighting its occurrence among various age demographics and geographic regions. The impact of vitamin D on the immune system is also explored, elucidating its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, particularly in the context of respiratory infections. The review discusses emerging evidence concerning the potential advantages of vitamin D in respiratory diseases, pediatric asthma and atopic dermatitis. It also addresses vitamin D supplementation recommendations for various pediatric populations, including term and preterm infants. The growing concern regarding the global health impacts of insufficient vitamin D levels necessitates further research to bridge gaps in knowledge, particularly in enhancing screening, prevention, and approaches to address vitamin D deficiency from birth onwards. In summary, this comprehensive overview underscores the vital role of vitamin D, highlighting the significance of understanding its multifaceted functions and the need for tailored supplementation strategies, especially in vulnerable populations.
近年来，我们对维生素 D 功能的理解有了显著的发展。维生素 D 受体 (Vitamin D Receptor-VDR) 在体内的广泛存在，使其从主要参与骨骼功能的甾体激素重新定义为具有多种作用的激素，对循环、神经和免疫系统发挥影响。这促使人们研究其在预防和治疗慢性代谢紊乱、心血管疾病、感染以及过敏和自身免疫性疾病方面的潜在用途。本综述全面探讨了维生素 D 的各个方面，包括其来源、合成、功能及其对不同生理系统的影响。文中探讨了维生素 D 缺乏症的流行病学，强调了其在不同年龄人群和地理区域的发生情况。还探讨了维生素 D 对免疫系统的影响，阐明了其免疫调节和抗炎特性，特别是在呼吸道感染方面。本文还讨论了关于维生素 D 在呼吸道疾病、儿童哮喘和特应性皮炎方面潜在优势的新证据。还为包括足月和早产儿在内的各种儿科人群提供了维生素 D 补充建议。由于全球范围内维生素 D 水平不足对健康的影响日益受到关注，因此需要进一步研究以弥合知识差距，特别是在加强从出生开始的筛查、预防和解决维生素 D 缺乏的方法方面。总之，本综述强调了维生素 D 的重要作用，突出了了解其多方面功能的重要性以及针对特定人群制定补充策略的必要性。
