Vitamin D and diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Vitamin D is a very important prohormone that needs for maintaining homeostasis and harmonious work of the endocrine system. This review article shows the impact of vitamin D on diabetes mellitus and its complications, such as diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, and diabetic foot. The authors used databases PubMed and Google Scholar to find literature data. The review determines the benefits of vitamin D supplements to correct mineral, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism. The results of several meta-analyses are presented, which both confirm the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and diabetes mellitus or doubt its existence. The probable mechanisms of vitamin D influence on the development of diabetic retinopathy at the cellular and molecular levels are highlighted. In particular, the effect of this vitamin on the immune system through the regulation of cytokine levels is demonstrated. A significant association between vitamin D deficiency and the development of diabetic peripheral neuropathy has been shown. The effect of vitamin D supplements on renal function, inflammation, and glycemic control in patients with diabetic kidney disease has been demonstra­ted. The authors analyzed the effect of vitamin D compared with other nutrients on the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. The importance of vitamin D for improving glycemic control and wound healing is emphasized. In conclusion, the screening of patients with diabetes mellitus for vitamin D deficiency and the use of this supplement to prevent and treat microvascular and macrovascular diabetic complications are recommended. Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials are promising to further investigate the mechanisms of vitamin D exposure and determine the appropriate adequate dose for patients with diabetes mellitus and its complications.

Keywords

• vitamin d
• diabetes mellitus
• diabetic retinopathy
• dia­betic neuropathy
• diabetic nephropathy
• diabetic foot syndrome