Abstract
This article provides a detailed review of current knowledge on the role of vitamin D and its receptor in the biology and management of uterine fibroids (UFs). Authors present ideas for future steps in this area. A literature search was conducted in PubMed using the following key words: “uterine fibroid” and “vitamin D”. The results of the available studies, published in English from January 2002 up to April 2018, have been discussed. Vitamin D is a group of steroid compounds with a powerful impact on many parts of the human body. This vitamin is believed to regulate cell proliferation and differentiation, inhibit angiogenesis, and stimulate apoptosis. Nowadays, hypovitaminosis D is believed to be a major risk factor in the development of UFs. In many studies vitamin D appears to be a powerful factor against UFs, resulting in inhibition of tumor cell division and a significant reduction in its size, however, the exact role of this compound and its receptor in the pathophysiology of UFs is not fully understood. According to available studies, vitamin D and its analogs seem to be promising, effective, and low-cost compounds in the management of UFs and their clinical symptoms, and the anti-tumor activities of vitamin D play an important role in UF biology. The synergy between vitamin D and selected anti-UF drugs is a very interesting issue which requires further research. Further studies about the biological effect of vitamin D on UF biology are essential. Vitamin D preparations (alone or as a co-drugs) could become new tools in the fight with UFs, with the additional beneficial pleiotropic effect.
Highlights
Uterine fibroids (UFs) are monoclonal, benign tumors which arise from the smooth muscle cells of the uterus and are predominantly located in the pelvis
In a recently published systematic review, Stewart et al, underlined factors which increase the incidence of UF, and these are: black race, elevated body mass index (BMI), age, premenopausal status, hypertension, positive family history, time elapsed since last labor, consumption of food additives, and soybean milk [3]
Vitamin D is carried by a specific transportation protein—Vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP)—which belongs to the albumin gene family [67]
Summary
Uterine fibroids (UFs) are monoclonal, benign tumors which arise from the smooth muscle cells of the uterus and are predominantly located in the pelvis. They constitute one of the most common pathologies of the female genital tract. UFs occur in 5–70% of all women [1,2,3,4], and develop in selected populations, with age and ethnicity as the main risk factors [3,4]. Tanhgerioegaerensicevaecrtiavliitdieesas[4a0b]o. uVtittahme uinseDodf veiftiacmienincyDiisnaUnFimppreovretnantitornisokr faascatolorning-ttheermdetvreealotmpmenetn[1t 3p,r3o4c,4e2s]s, pbUotparsufaaeFsttUta-ohhatocFoomDDsnisppsageeeo[thhsson6ecyyppd–itinassii9[ttiitpg1,eoeoe43rldlc1ttoo,olhh3]bigpg.n4eelyTyr,eiaa4ochmicic2abssecc]llslr,uueli,teibmmrmmamiausaisuurtitl,weteslloeaaadsiednsttne.liig.wlvnnTtoaeTgghheirshiunlddaslougslaaaa,usittcsrwda,arleoiewiaeoonduannieprserceraUaUapimedslbrsFFetaeofessroasiun,i,nresattiinnnlffstasuothcffnooiarteanurrrufnummcrutpeehsutaa-.euistpttsortiio-eooea-tfpdnnorsvesa-tiaad.aettbbepaaroomsrteeuue.mivttnraietteDhhivnweeieisniiawcnnbaUvvoraooFcublletvvpo.teeurhmmetevteeerhnnonettlteiooroooffnlfvveoviittoriaatfamamsvmiiianntianlDDomDniiignnnin-tttDhehUreeFimiinrr-
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