The Role of Vitamin D in the Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Gastrointest. Disord. 2019, 1(1), 231-240; https://doi.org/10.3390/gidisord1010018

Stefano Nobile 1, Michela A. Tenace 1 and Helen M. Pappa 2

1 Department of Mother and Child Health, Salesi Children’s Hospital, via F. Corridoni 11, 60123 Ancona, Italy

2 Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, Saint Louis U., St. Louis, MO 63104, USA

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Vitamin D has a complex role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is still under investigation. We conducted a literature search using PubMed through December 2018 through the use of relevant search terms. We found an abundance of evidence to support the role of vitamin D in regulating the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. The pathogenesis of IBD implicates the immune dysregulation of these immune system components. Proof of concept of the vitamin’s role in the pathogenesis of IBD is the mapping of the vitamin D receptor in a region of chromosome 12, where IBD is also mapped, and specific VDR polymorphisms’ link to IBD phenotypes. Further research is needed to better delineate vitamin D’s role in preventing IBD and its potential as a therapeutic target for this disease.