Review
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World J Hepatol. Dec 27, 2014; 6(12): 901-915
Published online Dec 27, 2014. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v6.i12.901
Vitamin D deficiency in chronic liver disease
Paula Iruzubieta, Álvaro Terán, Javier Crespo, Emilio Fábrega
Paula Iruzubieta, Álvaro Terán, Javier Crespo, Emilio Fábrega, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla, 39008 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
Author contributions: Iruzubieta P, Terán Á, Crespo J and Fábrega E contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Emilio Fábrega, MD, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla, Avenida Valdecilla s/n, 39008 Santander, Cantabria, Spain. digfge@humv.es
Telephone: +34-07-3442202544 Fax: +34-07-3442202544
Received: August 29, 2014
Revised: October 14, 2014
Accepted: November 7, 2014
Published online: December 27, 2014
Processing time: 106 Days and 13 Hours
Abstract

Vitamin D is an important secosteroid hormone with known effect on calcium homeostasis, but recently there is increasing recognition that vitamin D also is involved in cell proliferation and differentiation, has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin D deficiency has been frequently reported in many causes of chronic liver disease and has been associated with the development and evolution of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) virus infection. The role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and CHC is not completely known, but it seems that the involvement of vitamin D in the activation and regulation of both innate and adaptive immune systems and its antiproliferative effect may explain its importance in these liver diseases. Published studies provide evidence for routine screening for hypovitaminosis D in patients with liver disease. Further prospectives studies demonstrating the impact of vitamin D replacement in NAFLD and CHC are required.

Keywords: Cholecalciferol; Vitamin D; Hepatitis C; Liver fibrosis; Liver disease; Interferon; Sustained virological response; Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Core tip: (Vitamin D and liver disease) vitamin D deficiency has been frequently reported in many causes of chronic liver disease and has been associated with the development and evolution of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) virus infection. The role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and CHC is not completely known, but it seems that the involvement of vitamin D in the activation and regulation of both innate and adaptive immune systems and its antiproliferative effect may explain its importance in these liver diseases.