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1.
Vitamin D in trichology: a comprehensive review of the role of vitamin D and its receptor in hair and scalp disorders.
Damiani, G, Conic, R, Orlando, G, Zampetti, A, Marinello, E, Piai, M, Linder, MD
Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo ufficiale, Societa italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia. 2020;(2):190-197
Abstract
Vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining the homeostasis of various biological systems. Beside its well-known function in calcium and phosphate metabolism, it plays a major role in pathophysiology of skin and adnexa. Indeed, vitamin D, through its receptor (VDR), decreases keratinocyte proliferation, improves their differentiation and modulates both cutaneous innate (antimicrobial activity and antigen presentation) and adaptative immunity (T and B lymphocyte function). The maintenance of normal hair is dependant on the integrity of the dermis, epidermis and hair cycles. Beside its effect on epidermal differentiation, VDR plays a vital role in preserving the hair follicle integrity. While the relevance of VDR has been fully elucidated, the real value of vitamin D in the hair follicle cycle still remains uncertain. To date, results in literature remain contradicting and far from definitive; still, the role of vitamin D in the various forms of human alopecia is likely to be significant. The aim of this article is to review evidence about the role of vitamin D and its receptor in trichology, with a focus on scarring and non-scarring alopecia and in particular on the potential therapeutic use of Vitamin D for hair and scalp disorders.
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2.
Effects of sunlight exposure and vitamin D supplementation on HIV patients.
Akimbekov, NS, Ortoski, RA, Razzaque, MS
The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology. 2020;:105664
Abstract
Unlike many vitamins derived predominantly from food sources, vitamin D is produced endogenously in the skin upon exposure to sunlight. Ethnicity, skin pigmentation, socioeconomic status, geographic location, climate and sunscreen; all of these factors contribute to the amount of insolation for any given individual. Insufficient insolation creates the prerequisites for vitamin D deficiency. This is particularly true in HIV-infected individuals, who are highly vulnerable to vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency, as it plays a huge role in the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. Antiretroviral therapy may also be a factor in vitamin D deficiency. Today, as the issues of preventing common skeletal and non-skeletal diseases with HIV-infected people are becoming highly relevant, the maintenance of vitamin D levels through exposure to sunlight or supplementation appears to be an effective and safe solution. This review focuses on studies concerning the potential role of vitamin D supplementation through adequate sunlight exposure or dietary intake in HIV-infected people. The biology and epidemiology of HIV infection, as well as the issues related to vitamin D deficiency, its status on immune function, the effect of vitamin D against HIV disease progression and other health aspects of this vitamin, are briefly explained.
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3.
Effect of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements on Cardiovascular Health.
Goudarzi, S, Memar Montazerin, S, Najafi, H, Shojaei, F, Chi, G
Critical pathways in cardiology. 2020;(3):153-159
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease marks the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the United States. Pharmacological therapies have been developed to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases in the setting of large-scale randomized controlled trials. In contrast, vitamins and minerals have not undergone an equal level of scrutiny, and the evidence of cardiovascular benefit remains elusive. Multivitamins are the most popular over-the-counter supplements in the United States, despite the lack of clear benefit as a means of primary or secondary cardiovascular prevention. Recent studies indicate a potential role of multivitamins in secondary prevention when concomitantly administered with chelation therapy. Additionally, preclinical and observational studies have shown preliminary evidence of cardiovascular protection with dietary supplements such as carnitine, arginine, and coenzyme Q10. This review summarizes the currently available data about the effect of vitamins and other dietary supplements on the cardiovascular system.
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4.
Vitamin requirements and biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Perli, T, Wronska, AK, Ortiz-Merino, RA, Pronk, JT, Daran, JM
Yeast (Chichester, England). 2020;(4):283-304
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Abstract
Chemically defined media for yeast cultivation (CDMY) were developed to support fast growth, experimental reproducibility, and quantitative analysis of growth rates and biomass yields. In addition to mineral salts and a carbon substrate, popular CDMYs contain seven to nine B-group vitamins, which are either enzyme cofactors or precursors for their synthesis. Despite the widespread use of CDMY in fundamental and applied yeast research, the relation of their design and composition to the actual vitamin requirements of yeasts has not been subjected to critical review since their first development in the 1940s. Vitamins are formally defined as essential organic molecules that cannot be synthesized by an organism. In yeast physiology, use of the term "vitamin" is primarily based on essentiality for humans, but the genome of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae reference strain S288C harbours most of the structural genes required for synthesis of the vitamins included in popular CDMY. Here, we review the biochemistry and genetics of the biosynthesis of these compounds by S. cerevisiae and, based on a comparative genomics analysis, assess the diversity within the Saccharomyces genus with respect to vitamin prototrophy.
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5.
Challenging microalgal vitamins for human health.
Del Mondo, A, Smerilli, A, Sané, E, Sansone, C, Brunet, C
Microbial cell factories. 2020;(1):201
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vitamins' deficiency in humans is an important threat worldwide and requires solutions. In the concept of natural biofactory for bioactive compounds production, microalgae represent one of the most promising targets filling many biotechnological applications, and allowing the development of an eco-sustainable production of natural bioactive metabolites. Vitamins are probably one of the cutting edges of microalgal diversity compounds. MAIN TEXT Microalgae can usefully provide many of the required vitamins in humans, more than terrestrial plants, for instance. Indeed, vitamins D and K, little present in many plants or fruits, are instead available from microalgae. The same occurs for some vitamins B (B12, B9, B6), while the other vitamins (A, C, D, E) are also provided by microalgae. This large panel of vitamins diversity in microalgal cells represents an exploitable platform in order to use them as natural vitamins' producers for human consumption. This study aims to provide an integrative overview on vitamins content in the microalgal realm, and discuss on the great potential of microalgae as sources of different forms of vitamins to be included as functional ingredients in food or nutraceuticals for the human health. We report on the biological roles of vitamins in microalgae, the current knowledge on their modulation by environmental or biological forcing and on the biological activity of the different vitamins in human metabolism and health protection. CONCLUSION Finally, we critically discuss the challenges for promoting microalgae as a relevant source of vitamins, further enhancing the interests of microalgal "biofactory" for biotechnological applications, such as in nutraceuticals or cosmeceuticals.
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6.
Metabolic engineering for the production of fat-soluble vitamins: advances and perspectives.
Yuan, P, Cui, S, Liu, Y, Li, J, Du, G, Liu, L
Applied microbiology and biotechnology. 2020;(3):935-951
Abstract
Fat-soluble vitamins are vitamins that are insoluble in water, soluble in fat, and organic solvents; they are found in minute amount in various foods. Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, have been widely used in food, cosmetics, health care products, and pharmaceutical industries. Fat-soluble vitamins are currently produced via biological and chemical synthesis. In recent years, fat-soluble vitamin production by biotechnological routes has been regarded as a very promising approach. Based on biosynthetic pathways, considerable advances of α-tocopherol and β-carotenes have been achieved in transgenic plants and microalgae. Microbial fermentation, as an alternative method for the production of vitamin K and β-carotenes, is attracting considerable attention because it is an environment friendly process. In this review, we address the function and applications of fat-soluble vitamins, and an overview of current developments in the production of fat-soluble vitamins in transgenic plants, microalgae, and microorganisms. We focus on the metabolic and process engineering strategies for improving production of fat-soluble vitamins, and we hope this review can be useful for the people who are interested in the production of fat-soluble vitamins by biotechnological routes.
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7.
Evaluation of vitamin K status and rationale for vitamin K supplementation in dialysis patients.
Caluwé, R, Verbeke, F, De Vriese, AS
Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association. 2020;(1):23-33
Abstract
The cardinal biological role of vitamin K is to act as cofactor for the carboxylation of a number of vitamin K-dependent proteins, some of which are essential for coagulation, bone formation and prevention of vascular calcification. Functional vitamin K deficiency is common and severe among dialysis patients and has garnered attention as a modifiable risk factor in this population. However, no single biochemical parameter can adequately assess vitamin K status. For each biological function of vitamin K, the degree of carboxylation of the relevant vitamin K-dependent protein most accurately reflects vitamin K status. Dephosphorylated uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein (dp-ucMGP) is the best biomarker for vascular vitamin K status when cardiovascular endpoints are studied. Dp-ucMGP levels are severely elevated in haemodialysis patients and correlate with markers of vascular calcification and mortality in some but not all studies. The aetiology of vitamin K deficiency in haemodialysis is multifactorial, including deficient intake, uraemic inhibition of the vitamin K cycle and possibly interference of vitamin K absorption by phosphate binders. The optimal vitamin K species, dose and duration of supplementation to correct vitamin K status in dialysis patients are unknown. Dp-ucMGP levels dose-proportionally decrease with supraphysiological vitamin K2 supplementation, but do not normalize even with the highest doses. In the general population, long-term vitamin K1 or K2 supplementation has beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease, bone density and fracture risk, and insulin resistance, although some studies reported negative results. In haemodialysis patients, several trials on the effects of vitamin K on surrogate markers of vascular calcification are currently ongoing.
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8.
The Role of Vitamin C in Two Distinct Physiological States: Physical Activity and Sleep.
Otocka-Kmiecik, A, Król, A
Nutrients. 2020;(12)
Abstract
This paper is a literature overview of the complex relationship between vitamin C and two opposing physiological states, physical activity and sleep. The evidence suggests a clinically important bidirectional association between these two phenomena mediated by different physiological mechanisms. With this in mind, and knowing that both states share a connection with oxidative stress, we discuss the existing body of evidence to answer the question of whether vitamin C supplementation can be beneficial in the context of sleep health and key aspects of physical activity, such as performance, metabolic changes, and antioxidant function. We analyze the effect of ascorbic acid on the main sleep components, sleep duration and quality, focusing on the most common disorders: insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome. Deeper understanding of those interactions has implications for both public health and clinical practice.
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9.
The Long History of Vitamin C: From Prevention of the Common Cold to Potential Aid in the Treatment of COVID-19.
Cerullo, G, Negro, M, Parimbelli, M, Pecoraro, M, Perna, S, Liguori, G, Rondanelli, M, Cena, H, D'Antona, G
Frontiers in immunology. 2020;:574029
Abstract
From Pauling's theories to the present, considerable understanding has been acquired of both the physiological role of vitamin C and of the impact of vitamin C supplementation on the health. Although it is well known that a balanced diet which satisfies the daily intake of vitamin C positively affects the immune system and reduces susceptibility to infections, available data do not support the theory that oral vitamin C supplements boost immunity. No current clinical recommendations support the possibility of significantly decreasing the risk of respiratory infections by using high-dose supplements of vitamin C in a well-nourished general population. Only in restricted subgroups (e.g., athletes or the military) and in subjects with a low plasma vitamin C concentration a supplementation may be justified. Furthermore, in categories at high risk of infection (i.e., the obese, diabetics, the elderly, etc.), a vitamin C supplementation can modulate inflammation, with potential positive effects on immune response to infections. The impact of an extra oral intake of vitamin C on the duration of a cold and the prevention or treatment of pneumonia is still questioned, while, based on critical illness studies, vitamin C infusion has recently been hypothesized as a treatment for COVID-19 hospitalized patients. In this review, we focused on the effects of vitamin C on immune function, summarizing the most relevant studies from the prevention and treatment of common respiratory diseases to the use of vitamin C in critical illness conditions, with the aim of clarifying its potential application during an acute SARS-CoV2 infection.
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10.
Kidney disease associated with androgenic-anabolic steroids and vitamin supplements abuse: Be aware!
Parente Filho, SLA, Gomes, PEAC, Forte, GA, Lima, LLL, Silva Júnior, GBD, Meneses, GC, Martins, AMC, Daher, EF
Nefrologia. 2020;(1):26-31
Abstract
The excessive chase for beauty standards and the rise of muscle dysmorphia have ultimately led to an increase in androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) and intramuscular injections of vitamins A, D and E (ADE) abuse, which is associated with several adverse effects and has become a public health issue. This review of literature discusses kidney injury associated with the use of AAS and ADE, highlighting the mechanisms of acute and chronic renal lesion, such as direct renal toxicity, glomerular hyperfiltration and hypercalcemia. Future perspectives regarding evaluation and early diagnosis of kidney injury in these patients are also discussed.