Neuroplasticity-related effects of vitamin D relevant to its neuroprotective effects: A narrative review

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Neuroplasticity-related effects of vitamin D relevant to its neuroprotective effects: A narrative review

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2024.173899

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Highlights

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  The neuroplasticity-related mechanisms of vitamin D are discussed.
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  The increased expression of neurotrophins and their receptors by vitamin D is reviewed.
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  The modulation of synaptogenesis by vitamin D is provided.
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  The role of vitamin D in depression, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease is examined.

Abstract

The pathophysiology of a wide range of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, such as neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases, has been associated with impairment of neurogenic and synaptogenic processes. Therefore, pharmacological and/or nutritional strategies based on the stimulation and/or restoration of these processes may have beneficial effects against diseases in which these processes are impaired. In this context, vitamin D has emerged as a promising neuroprotective compound. Due to its pleiotropic properties, it can interact with multiple molecular targets and thereby affect different cell types, including neurons and glial cells. This neurosteroid contributes to CNS homeostasis by non-genomic and genomic mechanisms through its interaction with vitamin D receptors (VDRs). Among several properties of this vitamin, its role in neuronal proliferation and differentiation as well as in synaptic plasticity has received attention. Considering this background, this narrative review aims to highlight the neuroplasticity-related mechanisms of vitamin D that may be associated with its neuroprotective effects.(What are the amounts?)

Introduction

The mechanisms regulated by vitamin D are not limited to its involvement in the regulation of bone metabolism and calcium homeostasis. Its role in cell differentiation and immune system function has been extensively studied. In addition, the role of vitamin D in brain development and function has attracted particular interest in recent decades (Kesby et al., 2011; Cui and Eyles, 2022). Evidence suggests that vitamin D is a pleiotropic molecule capable of interacting directly with multiple targets (Kouba et al., 2024), a property that may be related to its effects on cell differentiation (Ko et al., 2004), neurotrophin expression (Féron et al., 2005), intracellular calcium signaling (Brewer et al., 2006), neurotransmitter release and synthesis (Kesby et al., 2017), and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pathways (McCann and Ames, 2008; Cui et al., 2019). Therefore, hypovitaminosis D impairs the expression of several molecular targets involved in these cellular events (DeLuca et al., 2013; Kouba et al., 2022).

The prominent role of vitamin D in central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis suggests that deficiency of this vitamin may also be associated with a variety of brain disorders. Indeed, studies have reported an association between hypovitaminosis D and an increased risk of Azheimer's disease (Annweiler et al., 2013), Parkinson's disease (Ogura et al., 2021), and major depressive disorder (MDD) (Parker et al., 2017) in adults. In addition, vitamin D has been shown to improve the symptoms and behavioral changes associated with these disorders and may be used as a therapeutic adjuvant and/or potential neuroprotective agent (Kouba et al., 2022, Kouba et al., 2023b; Pignolo et al., 2022). Given that Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and MDD are associated with impairment of neurogenic and synaptogenic processes (Skaper et al., 2017; Levy et al., 2018; Zhang and Lu, 2021), this narrative review aims to highlight neuroplasticity-related mechanisms of vitamin D that may be associated with its neuroprotective effects.(What are the amounts?)