Vitamin D and the digestive system

Target tissues of in vivo receptor binding and deposition of 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 and its oxygen analog OCT are reviewed in rats, mice, hamsters and zebra finch, identified with high-resolution microscopic autoradiography. Throughout the digestive system numerous sites with nuclear receptor binding of 3H-1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 and 3H-OCT exist: in the oral region, epithelial cells of the oral cavity, tongue and gingiva, teeth odontoblast and ameloblast precursor pulp and stratum intermedium cells; in the parotid, submandibular and sublingual salivary glands, epithelial cells of striated ducts and granular convoluted tubules, intercalated ducts and acinar cells, as well as myoepithelial cells; in the stomach, neck mucous cells of gastric glands, endocrine cells of the antrum, and muscle cells of the pyloric sphincter; in the small and large intestine, absorptive and crypt epithelial cells; in the pancreas, predominantly islet B-cells. Perisinusoidal stellate (Ito) cells in the liver concentrate and retain variable amounts of radiolabeled compound in regions of their cytoplasm after administration of 3H-I,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 and 3H-25(OH) vitamin D3, probably sites of specific storage, similar to vitamin A. Submucosa in stomach and intestine also retain variable amounts of radiolabel, however unspecific with all compounds studied. In pilot studies with 3H-25(OH)2 vitamin D3 and 3H-24,25(OH)2 vitamin D3, no nuclear concentration was detectable. The reviewed data for vitamin D and its oxygen analogue OCT indicate genomic effects on multiple target tissues of the digestive system that involve cell proliferation and differentiation, endo- and exocrine secretion, digestion and absorption for maintaining optimal functions, with potentials for health prophylaxis and therapies.