The aim of the study was to determine whether serum vitamin D level is lower in female patients with glaucoma as compared with control group. The mechanism by which vitamin D reduces intraocular pressure is not fully clarified. Almost all tissues possess vitamin D receptor (VDR). The mice lacking VDR (VDR knockout mice) have greatly contributed to the understanding of the general vitamin D phys...

Alteration in vitamin D metabolism has a central role in the pathogenesis of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) and is also associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). For more than sixty years, vitamin D, nutritional vitamin D (ergocalciferol, cholecalciferol or calcifediol) and nonselective vitamin D receptor (VDR) activato...

Vitamin D deficiency appears to be an underestimated risk factor for cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease. Evidence from both basic science and clinical studies supports the possible protective role of vitamin D beyond its effect on mineral metabolism. Toxicity of pharmacologic doses of active vitamin D metabolites, in particular calcitriol, is mainly due to the possib...

Illicit drug abuse is highly prevalent and serves as a powerful co-factor for HIV exacerbation. Epigenetic alterations in drug abuse and HIV infection determine expression of several critical genes such as vitamin D receptor (VDR), which participates in proliferation, differentiation, cell death under both physiological and pathological conditions. On that account, active vitamin D, the ligand ...

Tissue barriers are critical in the pathogenesis of human diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, inflammatory bowel diseases, and various cancers. Preserving or restoring barrier functions of the epithelia cells is a therapeutic strategy to prevent and treat the illness. Mounting evidence indicates that vitamin D and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) play key roles in the pathogenesis of human disease...

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfotransferase (SULT2A1) is a cytosolic enzyme that mediates sulfo-conjugation of endogenous hydroxysteroids (dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone, bile acids), and diverse xenobiotic compounds. Upon sulfonation, SULT2A1 substrates become polar and water-soluble and thus suitable for rapid excretion. SULT2A1 is abundantly expressed in the liver and intestine. Recent evi...

PURPOSE We previously showed that EGF receptor (EGFR) promotes tumorigenesis in the azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS) model, whereas vitamin D suppresses tumorigenesis. EGFR-vitamin D receptor (VDR) interactions, however, are incompletely understood. Vitamin D inhibits the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), whereas RAS can activate EGFR. We aimed to elucidate EGFR-VDR cross-talk in col...

Organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1A2 (OATP1A2) (gene symbol, SLCO1A2) mediates cellular uptake of a wide range of endogenous substrates, as well as drugs and xenobiotics. OATP1A2 is expressed in several tissues, including apical membranes of small intestinal epithelial cells. Given its role in intestinal drug absorption, a detailed analysis of the mechanisms that regulate SLCO1A2 gene exp...

Vitamin D plays a major role in bone mineral homeostasis by promoting the transport of calcium and phosphate to ensure that the blood levels of these ions are sufficient for the normal mineralization of type I collagen matrix in the skeleton. In contrast to classic vitamin D-deficiency rickets, a number of vitamin D-resistant rachitic syndromes are caused by acquired and hereditary defects in t...

Tuberculosis is highly prevalent worldwide, accounting for nearly two million deaths annually. Vitamin D influences the immune response to tuberculosis, and vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased tuberculosis risk in different populations. Genetic variability may influence host susceptibility to developing active tuberculosis and treatment response. Studies examining the associ...