Research Article Details
Article ID: | A23476 |
PMID: | 23745619 |
Source: | Metab Syndr Relat Disord |
Title: | Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and reduced serum vitamin D(3) levels. |
Abstract: | Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and vitamin D3 deficiency are two highly prevalent pathologic conditions worldwide that share several cardiometabolic risk factors. In addition to its traditional calcium-related effects on the skeleton, vitamin D3 deficiency has now been recognized to exert nonskeletal adverse effects on several other organ systems. Accumulating epidemiological evidence suggests that low levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 are associated with the presence and severity of NAFLD, independently of several potential confounders, including features of the metabolic syndrome. The molecular mechanisms of this association remain incompletely understood. A variety of biologically plausible mechanisms may mediate a hepato-protective role for the active metabolite of vitamin D3. 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 modulates the insulin signaling pathway/insulin resistance, suppresses fibroblast proliferation and collagen production, exerts anticoagulant and profibrinolytic effects, and modulates macrophage activity and inflammatory cytokine generation. Overall, the high prevalence of vitamin D3 deficiency and the plausible biological mechanisms linking this to NAFLD suggest that treatment of vitamin D3 deficiency to prevent and/or treat NAFLD is a promising field to explore. Large placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials are urgently needed to determine whether vitamin D3 supplementation could have any potential benefit in reducing the development and progression of NAFLD. |
DOI: | 10.1089/met.2013.0044 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
S01 | Improve insulin resistance | insulin sensitizer; insulin resistance; glucose tolerance | Biguanide: increases 5-AMP activated protein kinase signaling; SGLT-2 inhibitor; Thiazalidinedione: selective PPAR-γ agonists; GLP-1 agonist | Metformin; Empagliflozin; Canagliflozin; Rosiglitazone; Pioglitazone; Liraglutide | Details |
S05 | Anti-inflammatory | inflammatory | Bile acid; TNF-a inhibitor; Dual PPAR-α and -δ agonists; Toll-Like Receptor; (TLR)-4 antagonist; Caspase inhibitor; ASK-1 inhibitor | Ursodeoxycholic Acid; Pentoxifylline; Elafibranor; JKB-121; Emricasan; Selonsertib; | Details |
Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I02 | 5113 | Nutritional deficiency disease | A nutrition disease that is characterized by deficiency of a nutritional element, such as a vitamin, mineral, carbohydrate, protein, fat, or general energy content. https://medlineplus.gov/malnutrition.html | disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/nutrition disease | Details |
I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D579 | Emfilermin | Miscellany | -- | adipocytes | Enhance lipid metabolism | Under investigation | Details |
D387 | Vitamin D | Supplement | DB11094 | -- | Vitamin source drug | Under clinical trials | Details |
D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D055 | Calcium | Chemical drug | DB01373 | CAST; COMP; CP; BMP4; MGP | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |