Vitamin D and anemia: insights into an emerging association

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Vin Tangpricha, Emory University; Ellen M. Smith, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2015-12-01
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MED.0000000000000199
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity
• ISSN: 1752-296X
• Volume: 22
• Issue: 6
• Start Page: 432
• End Page: 438
• Grant/Funding Information: Supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (T32 DK007734 (EMS)) and by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number UL1TR000454 (VT).
• Keywords: CHRONIC KIDNEY-DISEASE; Endocrinology & Metabolism; COHORT; HEMODIALYSIS-PATIENTS; anemia; inflammation; D DEFICIENCY; hepcidin; vitamin D; CHILDREN; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; IRON-DEFICIENCY; ERYTHROPOIETIN RESISTANCE
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Health Sciences, Nutrition

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review highlights recent findings in the emerging association between vitamin D and anemia through discussion of mechanistic studies, epidemiologic studies, and clinical trials. Recent findings: Vitamin D has previously been found to be associated with anemia in various healthy and diseased populations. Recent studies indicate that the association may differ between race and ethnic groups and is likely specific to anemia of inflammation. The mechanism underlying this association involves the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines by vitamin D as well as the direct suppression of hepcidin mRNA transcription. There is also evidence that vitamin D may be protective against anemia by supporting erythropoiesis. Other calciotropic hormones, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) have also been found to be involved in iron homeostasis and erythropoiesis. Summary: Recent advances in our understanding the association between vitamin D and anemia suggest that maintenance of sufficient vitamin D status may be important in preventing anemia, particularly in diseases characterized by inflammation. Early clinical trials have been promising, but further research is needed to define the efficacy of vitamin D as a future approach for the treatment of anemia.