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Review
. 2012 Oct 14;18(38):5338-50.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i38.5338.

Theoretical basis of a beneficial role for vitamin D in viral hepatitis

Khanh vinh quốc Lương  1 , Lan Thi Hoàng Nguyễn
Affiliations
Review

Theoretical basis of a beneficial role for vitamin D in viral hepatitis

Khanh vinh quốc Lương et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Abnormal bone metabolism and dysfunction of the calcium-parathyroid hormone-vitamin D axis have been reported in patients with viral hepatitis. Some studies suggested a relationship between vitamin D and viral hepatitis. Genetic studies have provided an opportunity to identify the proteins that link vitamin D to the pathology of viral hepatitis (i.e., the major histocompatibility complex class II molecules, the vitamin D receptor, cytochrome P₄₅₀, the renin-angiotensin system, apolipoprotein E, liver X receptor, toll-like receptor, and the proteins regulated by the Sp1 promoter gene). Vitamin D also exerts its effects on viral hepatitis via non-genomic factors, i.e., matrix metalloproteinase, endothelial vascular growth factor, prostaglandins, cyclooxygenase-2, and oxidative stress. In conclusion, vitamin D could have a beneficial role in viral hepatitis. Calcitriol is best used for viral hepatitis because it is the active form of the vitamin D₃ metabolite.

Keywords: Calcitriol; Hepatitis; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis C virus; Vitamin D.

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