Vitamin D and Uterine Fibroids-Review of the Literature and Novel Concepts

Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Jul 14;19(7):2051. doi: 10.3390/ijms19072051.

Abstract

This article provides a detailed review of current knowledge on the role of vitamin D and its receptor in the biology and management of uterine fibroids (UFs). Authors present ideas for future steps in this area. A literature search was conducted in PubMed using the following key words: "uterine fibroid" and "vitamin D". The results of the available studies, published in English from January 2002 up to April 2018, have been discussed. Vitamin D is a group of steroid compounds with a powerful impact on many parts of the human body. This vitamin is believed to regulate cell proliferation and differentiation, inhibit angiogenesis, and stimulate apoptosis. Nowadays, hypovitaminosis D is believed to be a major risk factor in the development of UFs. In many studies vitamin D appears to be a powerful factor against UFs, resulting in inhibition of tumor cell division and a significant reduction in its size, however, the exact role of this compound and its receptor in the pathophysiology of UFs is not fully understood. According to available studies, vitamin D and its analogs seem to be promising, effective, and low-cost compounds in the management of UFs and their clinical symptoms, and the anti-tumor activities of vitamin D play an important role in UF biology. The synergy between vitamin D and selected anti-UF drugs is a very interesting issue which requires further research. Further studies about the biological effect of vitamin D on UF biology are essential. Vitamin D preparations (alone or as a co-drugs) could become new tools in the fight with UFs, with the additional beneficial pleiotropic effect.

Keywords: leiomyoma; uterine fibroid; vitamin D; vitamin D analogs; vitamin D receptor.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leiomyoma / drug therapy*
  • Leiomyoma / pathology
  • Uterine Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / pathology
  • Vitamin D / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin D / pharmacology
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / drug therapy*
  • Vitamins / administration & dosage
  • Vitamins / pharmacology
  • Vitamins / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Vitamins
  • Vitamin D