Vitamin D and drug-metabolising enzymes

Experimental studies on the molecular regulation of human drug metabolism have revealed that vitamin D up-regulates transcription of several key enzymes, such as CYP3A4, through the vitamin D receptor pathway in intestinal and hepatic cells. Recent data suggest that this results in seasonal changes with higher clearance of orally administered drugs during periods with high UV-B radiation and vitamin D levels. Taken together, vitamin D status might contribute to inter- and intraindividual differences in drug metabolism, but the therapeutic impact of these findings remains to be established.