The interplay between vitamin D status, subclinical inflammation, and prediabetes

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Immunology
• Metabolic Health

Background:

• Vitamin D influences immune modulation and metabolic health beyond calcium homeostasis.
• Active form calcitriol binds vitamin D receptors, triggering downstream effects.
• Subclinical inflammation is implicated in metabolic disorders like prediabetes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the association between vitamin D deficiency and prediabetes.
• To explore the role of subclinical inflammation and novel biomarkers like the monocyte-to-HDL ratio (MHR).
• To discuss vitamin D's impact on insulin resistance, synthesis, and secretion.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of studies from 1980 to 2024.
• Analysis of vitamin D's anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
• Evaluation of biomarkers for subclinical inflammation, including MHR.

Main Results:

• Vitamin D deficiency is significantly associated with subclinical inflammation.
• Vitamin D deficiency contributes to insulin resistance, impaired insulin secretion, and prediabetes development.
• The monocyte-to-HDL ratio (MHR) is a relevant marker for subclinical inflammation in this context.

Conclusions:

• Vitamin D deficiency plays a critical role in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) progression.
• Interventions to correct vitamin D deficiency may prevent prediabetes and T2DM.
• Understanding the link between vitamin D, inflammation, and metabolic health is crucial for prevention strategies.