bims-vitmet 2025-10-19 papers

bims-vitmet

Biomed News

on Vitamin metabolism

Issue of 2025–10–19
ten papers selected by
Onurkan Karabulut, Berkeley City College

Melatonin and Vitamins: A Promising Combination to Augment Conventional Anticancer Therapies.
Vitamin D3 and Vitamin A Synergistically Prevent Visuospatial Memory Impairment in Mice Model of the Dopaminergic System Disorder.
Potential application of vitamins to combat biofilm-mediated drug resistance by pathogenic bacteria.
Vitamin D and cancer-related fatigue in elderly patients: mechanisms and therapeutic insights-a narrative review.
Involvement of Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphism in Increased Cardiovascular Risk Disease in the Algerian Population.
Association of Vitamin B12 Status with Polysomnographic Parameters and Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.
The Pathogenic Roles of Local Vitamin D Metabolism Defect in Valve Inflammation and Calcification.
The Role of Vitamin C in Selected Autoimmune and Immune-Mediated Diseases: Exploring Potential Therapeutic Benefits.
Alterations in the Metabolic and Lipid Profiles Associated with Vitamin D Deficiency in Early Pregnancy.
Vitamin B12 modulates D-galactose-induced renal dysfunction.

Nutrients. 2025 Sep 30. pii: 3120. [Epub ahead of print]17(19):

Melatonin and Vitamins: A Promising Combination to Augment Conventional Anticancer Therapies.

Wamidh H Talib, Suha M Sabri, Rawan W Hadi, Viktória Prémusz, Tamás Beregi.

  Cancer remains a major global health challenge, requiring new adjunctive therapies. Integrative oncology, which combines conventional treatments with complementary agents, has gained attention for improving patient outcomes. Melatonin, a potent antioxidant and immunomodulator, has shown promise in cancer therapy. Recent evidence suggests that combining melatonin with vitamins-particularly vitamin D, vitamin C, and vitamin E-may enhance its anticancer effects through synergistic mechanisms. Melatonin exerts anticancer effects by regulating oxidative stress, apoptosis, and immune responses. Vitamin D enhances immune modulation, while vitamins C and E provide antioxidant and cytoprotective benefits. Their combined action may improve tumor suppression and reduce treatment-induced toxicity. However, despite promising preclinical data, clinical studies on melatonin-vitamins synergy remain limited. This review explores the molecular interactions, current evidence, and research gaps in melatonin-vitamin combinations for cancer therapy. Future studies should focus on mechanistic insights, optimal dosing, and clinical trials to establish their role in integrative oncology. Unlocking this potential could enhance existing cancer treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes.

Keywords:  combination anticancer therapy; vitamin C; vitamin D; vitamin E

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193120
J Nutr Biochem. 2025 Oct 13. pii: S0955-2863(25)00307-9. [Epub ahead of print] 110145

Vitamin D3 and Vitamin A Synergistically Prevent Visuospatial Memory Impairment in Mice Model of the Dopaminergic System Disorder.

Sirajo M Umar, Yusuf Usman, Vivian Atuadu, Kabir Shehu, John C Oyem, Badamasi M Ibrahim.

   BACKGROUND: Motor, visual, and cognitive decline are early signs of dopaminergic system dysfunction (DSD), yet the mechanisms underlying associated visuospatial memory impairment are poorly understood. This study evaluated visuospatial memory in DSD and the neuroprotective effects of vitamins D3 and A.
METHODS: Animals were grouped as NS (control), -D2 (15 mg/kg Haloperidol), -D2+VD (Haloperidol + 800 IU vitamin D3), -D2+VA (Haloperidol + 1000 IU vitamin A), -D2+(VD+VA) (Haloperidol + vitamins D3 and A), and -D2+D2 (Haloperidol + 10 mg/kg Bromocriptine). Visuospatial memory was assessed using the visual water box and Y-maze tests. Brain regions and retina were analyzed for histology, immunohistochemistry, oxidative stress, and ELISA for TNF-α, IL-6, IL-4, IL-13, and dopamine.
RESULTS: DSD induced significant visuospatial memory deficits, decreased SOD, IL-4, and IL-13, and increased TNF-α, IL-6, LDH, MDA, reactive astrocytes, degenerating neurons, and extracellular fibrils. Vitamin D alone was moderately effective, while combined vitamin D and A treatment more effectively regulated IL-6, IL-13, MDA, and reactive astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Other parameters were similarly improved by single or combined treatment.
CONCLUSION: Dopaminergic system dysfunctions are linked to visuospatial memory impairment due to increased cytotoxicity, pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, neural alterations, and reactive astrocyte expression, leading to reduced dopamine concentration in the PFC, HPC, visual cortex, and retina. Administration of vitamin A and D is more potent in providing a defensive mechanism by downregulating oxidative stress, reactive astrocytes, and their associated proinflammatory cytokines. All of which contribute to the regulation of dopamine levels.

Keywords:  Dopaminergic system dysfunction; Inflammatory cytokines; Reactive astrocytes; Vitamin A; Vitamin D3; oxidative stress; visuospatial memory function

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2025.110145
Future Microbiol. 2025 Oct 12. 1-17

Potential application of vitamins to combat biofilm-mediated drug resistance by pathogenic bacteria.

Shraavani Konatam, Shristi Panigrahi, Antara Tandi, Dijendra Nath Roy.

  Biofilm is one of the causes of pathogenic bacteria's resistance to drugs. Vitamins, essential for maintaining various physiological functions within the animal body, have been observed to influence biofilm inhibition. The vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B6, and B12 possess notable anti-biofilm activity against specific pathogens, which have been reported extensively over the last few years, highlighting their potential in combating microbial infections. Vitamins B and K possess anti-quorum-sensing effects, which also contribute to the reduction of virulence factor expression of pathogenic bacteria. Many research reports have identified the incremental effectiveness of antibiotics when combined with various vitamins against bacterial infections, demonstrating a synergistic relationship between vitamins and conventional antibiotics that enhances the efficacy of antibiotics against the biofilm-mediated drug resistance capacity of microbes. According to current research, many vitamins, including vitamin A, D, and K, are responsible for binding to key proteins involved in biofilm production. However, the mechanisms of action of vitamins in combination with antibiotics against microbes require further elucidation to compensate for the existing information gap. This comprehensive review highlights, for the first time, that the least toxic biological molecules, "vitamins," can potentially manage biofilm-related microbial infections and enhance the therapeutic options available to clinicians.

Keywords:  Biofilm, bacteria; fungi; quorum sensing pathway; vitamins

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1080/17460913.2025.2572934
Front Nutr. 2025 ;12 1642166

Vitamin D and cancer-related fatigue in elderly patients: mechanisms and therapeutic insights-a narrative review.

Juan Wu, Jinzheng Chi, Yu Zhang.

  Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a prevalent and debilitating symptom in elderly cancer patients. According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and international consensus, CRF is defined as a persistent, multidimensional fatigue disproportionate to activity, unrelieved by rest, and involving physical, emotional, and cognitive domains. Diagnosis requires standardized patient-reported scales, objective biomarkers (e.g., inflammatory and metabolic indices), and exclusion of comorbidities such as anemia or organ dysfunction. In elderly patients, CRF arises from interrelated alterations, including chronic inflammation, neuroendocrine dysregulation, circadian disruption, and progressive muscle atrophy, that perpetuate a vicious cycle. Current treatments encompass pharmacological agents (e.g., corticosteroids, psychostimulants, antidepressants, and traditional Chinese medicine, primarily studied in China) and non-pharmacological modalities (e.g., exercise, acupuncture, and cognitive-behavioral therapy), yet efficacy remains inconsistent. Emerging approaches such as mitochondrial modulators and bright light therapy are expanding the therapeutic landscape. Vitamin D, particularly cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), is commonly deficient in older adults and shows promise in alleviating CRF through anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and myogenic effects. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on vitamin D3's mechanisms and clinical value, highlights its role as a multi-target modulator, and explores its integration into personalized CRF management. Future studies should refine dosing strategies, clarify responses in the elderly, and assess the synergy between conventional and novel interventions.

Keywords:  cancer-related fatigue; elderly cancer patients; inflammation; muscle atrophy; personalized therapy; vitamin D

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1642166
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Oct 02. pii: 9627. [Epub ahead of print]26(19):

Involvement of Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphism in Increased Cardiovascular Risk Disease in the Algerian Population.

Assia Galleze, Fatma Zohra Djaballah-Ider, Ines Gouaref, Sara Mimi Atmani, Karima Allal, Chafia Touil-Boukoffa, Houda Belguendouz.

  Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) cover various pathologies including heart failure (HF). Furthermore, vitamin D is involved in the regulation of the cardiovascular system. This study aimed to assess the association between the vitamin D receptor (VDR) genotypes and the occurrence of cardiovascular disorders in the Algerian population. VDR gene polymorphisms were identified using the PCR-RFLP method. Moreover, plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin-D were assessed by a chemiluminescent immunoassay method and plasma NT-proBNP levels were determined in vitro by immunoenzymatic analysis. Interestingly, our results indicate that the genotypic frequencies of ApaI polymorphism of the VDR gene were significantly higher in CVD patients compared to the control group. Moreover, higher numbers of AA genotypes and A alleles were found in the CVD group. Our data indicate that the group of CVD patients with HF compared to those without HF showed the same genotype and allele distribution. Furthermore, low vitamin D rates and high N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels according to the VDR rs7975232 genotype were noted in CVD patients compared to healthy controls. Our results indicate that ApaI polymorphism of the VDR gene and lower vitamin D level may be associated with increased cardiovascular risk. These findings indicate that the ApaI AA genotype could be considered as a new HF risk marker in the Algerian population.

Keywords:  ApaI AA genotype; NT-proBNP; VDR rs7975232 genotype; cardiovascular disease; heart failure; vitamin D; vitamin D receptor polymorphism

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26199627
Nutrients. 2025 Sep 27. pii: 3079. [Epub ahead of print]17(19):

Association of Vitamin B12 Status with Polysomnographic Parameters and Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

Izolde Bouloukaki, Antonios Christodoulakis, Theofilos Vouis, Violeta Moniaki, Eleni Mavroudi, Eleftherios Kallergis, Ioanna Tsiligianni, Sophia E Schiza.

  Background: There are limited data on the association between B12 levels, objective sleep quality, and cardiovascular disease in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess vitamin B12 levels in a sleep clinic population in Crete, Greece, and investigate possible correlations with polysomnographic parameters and prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data from 1468 recruited patients with OSA from the clinical database of the Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Respiratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, were analyzed. OSA was defined as an apnoea-hypopnoea index ≥ 5 events per hour of sleep after type-1 Polysomnography (PSG). Data regarding anthropometrics, socio-demographics, and medical history was obtained. Logistic regression analysis was applied to examine the effect of vitamin B12 levels on PSG parameters and prevalent CVD after controlling for potential explanatory variables, including age, gender, obesity, smoking status, and co-morbidities. Results: The median vitamin B12 was 380.5 (301, 490) pg/mL. After adjustments, Vitamin B12 levels < 380.5 were associated with 24% higher odds of prolonged sleep latency (≥40 min) prevalence (OR = 1.240, 95% CI = 1.005-1.531, p = 0.045) and alterations in the proportion of NREM and REM sleep stages with 2.3 times higher likelihood of elevated NREM sleep > 80% of total sleep time (OR = 2.312, 95% CI = 1.049-5.096, p = 0.038) and 2.9 times higher likelihood of low REM sleep < 20% of total sleep time (OR = 2.858, 95% CI = 1.197-6.827, p = 0.018). Moreover, Vitamin levels < 380.5 were significantly associated with a 59.9% increase in the odds of prevalent CVD (OR = 1.599, 95% CI = 1.035-2.471, p = 0.034). Conclusions: In conclusion, our results suggest that vitamin B12 status may be associated with impaired objective sleep quality in OSA patients, potentially influencing prevalent CVD. However, further prospective research is needed to establish causality and elucidate the potential underlying mechanisms that could link vitamin B12 levels to various sleep parameters and cardiovascular disease in patients with OSA.

Keywords:  Vitamin B12; cardiovascular disease; objective sleep quality; obstructive sleep apnoea; polysomnography

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193079
Adv Sci (Weinh). 2025 Oct 13. e01250

The Pathogenic Roles of Local Vitamin D Metabolism Defect in Valve Inflammation and Calcification.

Ruichen Yang, Chong Han, Yangli Xie, Shoutao Qiu, Shaoyang Zhang, Jingjia He, Zejian Wang, Zhenlin Zhang, Huijuan Liu, Lin Chen, Baojie Li.

  Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a highly prevalent disease that leads to heart failure. However, the pathogenesis of CAVD remains poorly understood, and the disease currently lacks medicinal treatment. In this study, utilizing a high-phosphate-diet-induced valvular calcification model in conjunction with single-cell profiling and genetic tracing, two subpopulations of Prrx1+Acta2- valve interstitial cells (VICs) are identified that underwent osteogenic differentiation. Mechanistically, elevated phosphate suppresses the expression of vitamin D metabolism genes primarily in VICs and response genes in immune cells, leading to local activation of CD8+ T cells, macrophages, and Prox1+ endothelial cells in the valve. It is further shown that inflammatory cytokines and phosphate ions synergistically induced VIC osteogenic differentiation via extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) signaling. Administration of active vitamin D but not the inactive form suppressed inflammation and mitigated valvular calcification. Moreover, the VIC subpopulations undergoing osteogenic differentiation, suppressed expression of vitamin D metabolism and response genes, and inflammation are also observed in valve samples from patients with CAVD. This study reveals the cellular and molecular basis for valvular calcification and identifies active vitamin D as a potential drug to prevent CAVD development.

Keywords:  CAVD; inflammation; osteogenic; phosphate; valve; vitamin D

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202501250
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Sep 25. pii: 9375. [Epub ahead of print]26(19):

The Role of Vitamin C in Selected Autoimmune and Immune-Mediated Diseases: Exploring Potential Therapeutic Benefits.

Martyna Mochol, Lukasz Jablonowski, Andrzej Pawlik, Joanna Rasławska-Socha, Agnieszka Chamarczuk, Mariusz Lipski, Małgorzata Mazurek-Mochol.

  Autoimmune diseases are characterized by immune response dysregulation against self-components, leading to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. Vitamin C (VitC), a water-soluble vitamin with established functions in antioxidant defence and collagen synthesis, has also been of interest based on its potential immunomodulatory effects. This review discusses the role of VitC in the course and progression of (A) autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's disease, type 1 diabetes, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, pernicious anaemia, antiphospholipid syndrome), (B) other immune-mediated diseases (Crohn's disease, periodontitis), and (C) Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder with autoimmune features. Results from clinical, observational, and experimental trials show that VitC deficiency is common in many of these diseases and may contribute to increased oxidative stress and immune disequilibrium. Supplementation has been associated with improved antioxidant levels, control of inflammatory mediators, and, in some cases, clinical outcomes like disease activity decrease or symptom load. Although findings vary across conditions and few large, randomized trials are available, the overall evidence indicates that maintaining good VitC status can be useful in maintaining immune homeostasis and reducing inflammation. VitC should be viewed as an adjunct to be employed safely, perhaps and ideally within larger treatment regimens, but not in place of effective therapies. Further research, including large-scale clinical trials, will be required to determine more clearly optimal dosing, timing of treatment, and patient population most likely to benefit. By integration of current knowledge, this review recognizes both promise in VitC for treatment of autoimmune/immune-mediated disease and promise in its potential use within future treatment regimens.

Keywords:  autoimmune disease; immune-mediated disease; nutrition; vitamin C

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26199375
Nutrients. 2025 Sep 29. pii: 3096. [Epub ahead of print]17(19):

Alterations in the Metabolic and Lipid Profiles Associated with Vitamin D Deficiency in Early Pregnancy.

Yiwen Qiu, Boya Wang, Nuo Xu, Shuhui Wang, Xialidan Alifu, Haoyue Cheng, Danqing Chen, Lina Yu, Hui Liu, Yunxian Yu.

  Objective: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is common in pregnancy and may affect lipid metabolism. The underlying mechanisms are multifactorial, but most evidence so far comes from non-pregnant populations. This study aims to identify metabolites and metabolic patterns associated with VDD in early pregnancy and to evaluate their relationships with maternal lipid profiles. Methods: A nested case-control research was carried out in the Zhoushan Pregnant Women Cohort (ZPWC). Cases were defined as women with VDD (25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL), and controls (≥20 ng/mL) were matched 1:1 using propensity scores based on age, pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational week, and calendar year at blood sampling. The untargeted metabolomics of first-trimester maternal plasma were measured. Metabolic profiles were analyzed using partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to visualize group separation, and metabolite set enrichment analysis (MSEA) was performed to reveal biologically relevant metabolic patterns. Associations between VDD-related metabolite components in early pregnancy and lipid levels in mid-pregnancy were assessed using linear regression models. Results: 44 cases and 44 controls were selected for the study. There were 60 metabolites identified as being connected to VDD. Among these, 26 metabolites, primarily glycerophospholipids and fatty acyls, exhibited decreased levels in the VDD group. In contrast, 34 metabolites showed increased levels, mainly comprising benzene derivatives, carboxylic acids, and organooxygen compounds. PCA based on these metabolites explained 52.8% of the total variance (R2X = 0.528) across the first six principal components (PC1: 16.4%, PC2: 10.6%, PC3: 9.2%, PC4: 6.3%, PC5: 5.7%, PC6: 4.6%). PC2, dominated by lineolic acids and derivatives, was negatively associated with total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (all p < 0.01). PC3, dominated by glycerophosphocholines, was negatively associated with TC, TG, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (all p < 0.05). MSEA revealed significant enrichment of the pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis pathway after multiple testing correction (FDR < 0.05). Conclusions: This study reveals distinct metabolic alterations linked to VDD and suggests potential mechanisms underlying its association with maternal lipid metabolism in early pregnancy.

Keywords:  25(OH)D; lipids; metabolomics; pregnancy; vitamin D deficiency

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17193096
Indian J Med Res. 2025 Aug;pii: 10.25259/IJMR_529_2025. [Epub ahead of print]162(2): 211-219

Vitamin B12 modulates D-galactose-induced renal dysfunction.

M Nagaraju, Krishna Kalyan Kalahasti, Udaykanth Suryavanshi, S Sreenivasa Reddy, G Bhanuprakash Reddy.

  Background & objectives Age-related renal impairment presents a significant challenge in contemporary clinical practice. Cellular senescence and oxidative stress are the key contributors to chronic kidney disease (CKD) during aging. Senescence is triggered by advanced glycation end products (AGEs), hyperphosphatemia, and higher glucose levels, which lead to renal dysfunction by inducing inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, fibrosis, and apoptosis. Further, vitamin B12 is known to influence biological ageing and has been suggested to improve kidney function in the elderly; however, the underlying mechanisms require further investigation. In this study, we investigated the potential of vitamin B12 in mitigating renal dysfunction using a D-galactose-induced aging rat model. Methods Twelve-month-old male Wistar rats were grouped into Control, D-galactose (300 mg/kg/day), and D-galactose + vitamin B12 supplementation groups (n=6). Renal dysfunction was evaluated by kidney function markers (creatinine, albumin, urea, and BUN), renal damage markers (kidney injury molecule-1 [KIM-1], lipocalin-2 [LCN-2], fatty-acid binding protein-1 [FABP-1], and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 [TIMP-1]), and histopathology (glomerular changes). Signalling mechanisms of cellular senescence, phosphate metabolism, inflammation, fibrosis, and renal apoptosis were analysed by qRT-PCR and immunoblotting. Results Vitamin B12 supplementation attenuated renal dysfunction by alleviating the senescence-induced accumulation of AGEs and hyperphosphatemia. Furthermore, vitamin B12 administration conferred renal protection by subsiding inflammation, fibrosis, and apoptosis through modulation of the RAGE-NFkB, pPERK-GSK3β, and JNK signalling pathways. Vitamin B12 supplementation mitigated hyperphosphatemia by mediating the Klotho-FGF23 axis. Interpretation & conclusions The findings provide evidence for vitamin B12 supplementation in managing renal aging.

Keywords:  AGEs; chronic kidney disease; fibrosis; inflammation; phosphate; renal aging

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.25259/IJMR_529_2025