The molecular mechanisms by which vitamin D improve glucose homeostasis: A mechanistic review

Publication date: Available online 14 January 2020Source: Life SciencesAuthor(s): Habib Yaribeygi, Mina Maleki, Thozhukat Sathyapalan, Helia Iranpanah, Hossein M. Orafai, Tannaz Jamialahmadi, Amirhossein SahebkarAbstractDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex metabolic disorder involving multiple deleterious molecular pathways and cellular defects leading to disturbance in the biologic milieu. It is currently a global health concern with growing incidence, especially among younger adults. There is an unmet need to find new therapeutic targets for the management of diabetes. Vitamin D is a promising target in the pathophysiology of DM, especially since vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with diabetes compared to people without diabetes. Evidence suggests that it can play significant roles in improving peripheral insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, however, the exact pathophysiological mechanism is not clarified yet. In this current study, we have reviewed the evidence on the effect of vitamin D in improving insulin resistance via distinct molecular pathways.
Source: Life Sciences - Category: Biology Source Type: research