Effects of Vitamin D on Satellite Cells: A Systematic Review of In Vivo Studies

Abstract

The non-classical role of vitamin D has been investigated in recent decades. One of which is related to its role in skeletal muscle. Satellite cells are skeletal muscle stem cells that play a pivotal role in skeletal muscle growth and regeneration. This systematic review aims to investigate the effect of vitamin D on satellite cells. A systematic search was performed in Scopus, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar. In vivo studies assessing the effect of vitamin D on satellite cells, published in English in the last ten years were included. Thirteen in vivo studies were analyzed in this review. Vitamin D increases the proliferation of satellite cells in the early life period. In acute muscle injury, vitamin D deficiency reduces satellite cells differentiation. However, administering high doses of vitamin D impairs skeletal muscle regeneration. Vitamin D may maintain satellite cell quiescence and prevent spontaneous differentiation in aging. Supplementation of vitamin D ameliorates decreased satellite cells' function in chronic disease. Overall, evidence suggests that vitamin D affects satellite cells' function in maintaining skeletal muscle homeostasis. Further research is needed to determine the most appropriate dose of vitamin D supplementation in a specific condition for the optimum satellite cells' function.

Keywords: in vivo; satellite cells; skeletal muscle; vitamin D.

Figure 1

Satellite cells’ activity in skeletal muscle regeneration. Under homeostatic conditions, satellite cells are typically in a quiescent state and express Pax7. Notch signaling plays a role in maintaining the quiescent state of satellite cells. When there are stimuli for skeletal muscle regeneration, various myogenic regulatory factors (Myf5, MyoD, myogenin, and MRF4) regulate satellite cells’ activation, proliferation, and differentiation to form new muscle fibers. Some satellite cells will undergo self-renewal and return to a quiescent state to replenish the satellite cell population. Notch signaling through its regulation of Pax7 plays a role in promoting satellite cell self-renewal.

Figure 2

Study selection flow adapted from Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline [26].