Title:Relevance of Vitamin D in Bone and Muscle Health of Cancer Patients
VOLUME: 13 ISSUE: 1
Author(s):Heike Bischoff-Ferrari
Affiliation:Centre on Aging and Mobility, University of Zurich and City Hospital Waid, Dept. of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, Gloriastrasse 25, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
Keywords:Vitamin D, Falls, Muscle strength, Bone density, Fractures, osteoporosis, fast-twitch fibers, nuclear VDR, genomic transcriptional effect, 1-alpha-calcidiol
Abstract:Cancer patients with advanced disease frequently feel weak and fatigued, and have an increased risk of fracture. At the same
time several reports describe the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in these patients. This review will summarize the impact of
vitamin D deficiency on muscle weakness and fracture risk. While larger clinical trials of vitamin D supplementation are lacking in
cancer patients, the evidence from clinical trials among older adults of the general population support a significant benefit of vitamin D
on muscle strength, and fall and fracture reduction.
Mechanistic evidence regarding the presence of the specific vitamin D receptor in muscle tissue and muscle biopsy abnormalities
observed with deficiency will be reviewed, as well as molecular and non-molecular effects of vitamin D in muscle tissue. At the clinical
level, the evidence from randomized controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation on functional improvement and fall reduction will be
summarized. Finally, trial and epidemiological data will be reviewed to assess desirable serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels for optimal
muscle health.
