Vitamin D and type 2 diabetes mellitus: Where do we stand? Review
Diabetes & Metabolism; doi:10.1016/j.diabet.2011.01.001 |
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS All rights reserved.
E. Cavaliera, Etienne.cavalier@chu.ulg.ac.be, P. Delanayeb, J.-C. Souberbiellec and R.-P. Radermeckerd
a Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Liege, CHU Sart-Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium
b Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Hypertension, University of Liege, CHU Sart-Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium
c Laboratoire d’explorations fonctionnelles, hôpital Necker–Enfants-Malades, 75743 Paris, France
d Department of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Disorders, University of Liege, CHU Sart-Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium
Received 3 January 2011; ;revised 5 January 2011; accepted 8 January 2011. Available online 22 February 2011.
Aims
In-vitro and observational studies have established a link between vitamin D deficiency and different type 2 diabetes outcomes (insulin resistance, insulin secretion, glucose intolerance). Although the number of randomized controlled trials vs placebo is small, vitamin D (VTD) has been shown to prevent increases in glucose concentration and insulin resistance, enhance insulin sensitivity and reduce systolic blood pressure in type 2 diabetic patients.
Methods
In this review, we have focused on the potential mechanisms that might explain the association between VTD and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We have also evaluated the different epidemiological and observational studies on the topic, as well as the various interventional studies.
Results
Although the in vitro studies appear to be promising in explaining the link between VTD metabolism and T2DM, the results of in vivo studies are conflicting. This could be related to differences in their methodological approaches.
Conclusion
Although more studies are needed to confirm the role of VTD in the treatment of T2DM, there is nevertheless enough evidence at this time to suggest a need to maintain 25-OH vitamin D levels in T2DM patients around 30 ng/mL over the course of a year.