Pierluigi Giampaolino, Luigi D. Corte*, Virginia Foreste and Giuseppe Bifulco Pages 2421 - 2427 ( 7 )
Background: Vitamin D is involved in the physiological functions of several tissues, however, its deficiency may contribute to the development of various disorders. Recent research has been focusing on the role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of endometriosis based on the evidence of the presence of vitamin D receptor and the enzymes required for vitamin D synthesis in the ectopic endometrium. Endometriosis, defined as the presence of endometrial glands and stroma in ectopic locations, is considered an estrogen-dependent disease and Vitamin D seems to have a role in modulation of the inflammatory state and proliferation of endometriotic cells.
Objective: This study aimed to review the available literature regarding the relationship between vitamin D and endometriosis as well as the effects of vitamin D supplementation.
Methods: A search on PubMed database has been performed.
Results: The relationship between endometriosis and Vitamin D has been analyzed through the evaluation of vitamin D serum level, the polymorphism of vitamin D receptor and the role of vitamin D-binding protein in patient with endometriosis. The possible role of Vitamin D in the endometriosis therapy has also been investigated, in particular, the effect of vitamin D on pain relief, on endometriotic lesion in vitro and in rat models and in addition to a future target immunotherapy.
Conclusion: Although promising, the data analyzed are not sufficient to evidence a cause-effect relationship between VD status and endometriosis, therefore further studies are needed in order to better clarify the association between vitamin D and endometriosis, especially in the context of the possibility of new treatment options.
Vitamin D, vitamin D binding protein, vitamin D receptor, vitamin D supplementation, female fertility, endometriosis.
Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples