[Frontiers in Bioscience E4, 1276-1286, January 1, 2012]

Diagnostic and therapeutical role of vitamin D in chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Bruno Cacopardo1, Calogero Camma2, Salvatore Petta2, Marilia Rita Pinzone1, Alessandro Cappellani3, Antonio Zanghi3, Anna Nicolosi4, Giuseppe Nunnari 1

1 University of Catania, Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Division of Infectious Diseases, Via Palermo 636, Catania, Italy,2Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, DiBiMIS, Piazza delle Cliniche, 2University of Palermo, Italy,3Department of General Surgery, University Hospital of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 86, Catania, Italy, 4Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Viale Andrea Doria, 6 95125 Catania, Italy

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Vitamin D and infectious diseases
4. Vitamin D and hepatitis C virus infection
5. References

1. ABSTRACT

Although initially identified as a calcium homeostatic hormone, vitamin D is now known to have pleiotropic functions, dealing with both innate and adaptative immunity. Calcitriol mediates its biological effects by binding to the vitamin D receptor (VDR), which is expressed not only by intestine, bone and kidney but also on cell membranes of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, dendritic cells and macrophages. Vitamin D plays a role on the degree of liver damage in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC): low vitamin D levels have been associated with high hepatic necroinflammatory activity and progression of liver fibrosis. Vitamin D, in CHC patients, could also affect the response to antiviral therapy: in fact, recent studies have shown a relationship between low responsiveness to IFN-based therapy and low vitamin D serum levels. Further studies are required to better assess if vitamin D could work as a reliable noninvasive marker of liver fibrosis and whether vitamin D supplementation could be given to all CHC patients together with standard antiviral treatment, in order to improve the rate of sustained virological response (SVR).