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Calcitriol Suppresses Platelet Activation and Thrombosis, Mitigating Cardiovascular Risks in Metabolic

Peng Zhang1, Huajie Xu2, Shujing Wu3

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Ischemic Heart Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Viral Heart Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

JACC. Basic to Translational Science
|July 10, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is linked to vitamin D deficiency and platelet hyperactivity. This study reveals calcitriol

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Endocrinology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is increasingly prevalent and linked to vitamin D deficiency.
  • Platelet hyperactivity and increased thrombotic risk are observed in patients with MASLD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms of platelet hyperreactivity in MASLD.
  • To investigate the role of vitamin D in modulating platelet function in MASLD.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated the effects of calcitriol on megakaryocytes and platelets.
  • Analyzed vitamin D receptor activation, P2Y12 expression, and signaling pathways (cAMP/PKA, MAPK).

Main Results:

  • Calcitriol activates the vitamin D receptor in megakaryocytes and platelets.
  • This activation leads to decreased P2Y12 expression.
  • Modulation of cAMP/PKA and MAPK signaling pathways was observed, attenuating platelet activation.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin D plays a crucial role in regulating platelet function in MASLD.
  • Calcitriol-mediated vitamin D receptor activation may represent a therapeutic target to reduce thrombotic risk in MASLD patients.

Keywords:
calcitriolmetabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver diseaseplateletthrombosis

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