Vitamin D in Crohn’s disease: involvement in pathogenesis and application prospects

As many research works show, vitamin D has pleiotropic effects, including the immune regulation and pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease. Therefore, concentrations of the active vitamin D metabolite might be associated with the development, progression and severity of the disease. The skeletal and extraskeletal effects of vitamin D are realised through its active metabolite – 1.25(OH)2D, which is a steroid hormone. The objective of the work: to analyse the accumulated evidence demonstrative of a multiple contribution of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease, and to determine the possible perspectives of using the vitamin as part of comprehensive therapy of this disease. Despite the fact, that data of in vitro and animal studies are demonstrative of multiple effects of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease, the currently available evidence based on the underlying clinical trials are insufficient yet for including vitamin D in clinical guidelines on management of Crohn’s disease. Further research work is necessary. Key words: Crohn’s disease, vitamin D, calciferol, vitamin D axis, extraskeletal effects