Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #351778
Title: Vitamin D and the paraventricular nucleus: Relevance for type 2 diabetes

Author
item HARRISON, KEISHA - CHILDREN'S NUTRITION RESEARCH CENTER (CNRC)
item SISLEY, STEPHANIE - CHILDREN'S NUTRITION RESEARCH CENTER (CNRC)

Submitted to: The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/5/2017
Publication Date: 10/6/2017
Citation: Harrison, K., Sisley, S. 2017. Vitamin D and the paraventricular nucleus: Relevance for type 2 diabetes. The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 177:125-128. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsbmb.2017.10.005.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) affects over 400 million adults worldwide, often occurs on a background of insulin resistance in obesity, and is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease. While insulin resistance is known to be a contributing factor to the development of T2DM, the full mechanisms behind the development of T2DM have not been elucidated. Genetics has a confirmed role in the development of T2DM as well as other factors, such as epigenetics, diet, and environmental substances. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to the development of T2DM, although reversing/preventing diabetes with vitamin D treatment clinically has not shown consistent results. Recently, our lab published that vitamin D action in the brain is an essential pathway to halt glucose intolerance in an obese animal. In this article, we will synthesize the known literature on vitamin D action to explain a possible model by which vitamin D may affect peripheral glucose levels. We will also suggest key areas important to advancing our knowledge of the link between vitamin D deficiency and T2DM.