Vitamin D is a steroidal hormone required to maintain normal blood levels of various mineral ions needed for a wide range of cellular functions, including skeletal mineralization and muscle contraction. Vitamin D is a crucial part of the endocrine system that controls whole-body calcium and phosphate homeostasis.
Optimal mineral ion balance is requisite for the physiological functions of cells and organs. Vitamin D enables the absorption of various minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc, iron, and selenium. While certain minerals, including magnesium and zinc, act as cofactors to activate vitamin D and be functional. Similarly, calcium and phosphorus are involved in vitamin D-mediated signaling events. Vitamin D also facilitates the uptake of toxic elements, including lead, arsenic, aluminum, cobalt, and strontium.
Despite progress in understanding the various stages of vitamin D metabolism, there are knowledge gaps in how dysregulations of different mineral ions and vitamin D trigger and propagate numerous chronic diseases.
The overarching goal of this Research Topic is to bring together basic scientists and clinicians to explain how the endocrine connection between mineral ions and vitamin D forms a physiologic feed-forward loop in normal health while disrupted in various systemic and metabolic diseases. The mechanisms by which miscommunication between vitamin D and mineral ions contribute to altered bone mineralization, energy metabolism, and cell signaling, resulting in systemic and metabolic disorders are poorly understood. These would likely involve endocrine dysregulation of other factors like PTH, FGF23, klotho, growth factors, and cytokines. Understanding the extent of the hormonal impact on cellular and tissue functions and the potential for reversing such courses is essential to reducing the burden of chronic diseases.
This Research Topic welcomes the submission of Original Manuscripts, updated Reviews (of the existing literature), brief Commentaries and Opinions (on emerging areas of vitamin D and mineral ion metabolism), and Case Reports.
Vitamin D is a steroidal hormone required to maintain normal blood levels of various mineral ions needed for a wide range of cellular functions, including skeletal mineralization and muscle contraction. Vitamin D is a crucial part of the endocrine system that controls whole-body calcium and phosphate homeostasis.
Optimal mineral ion balance is requisite for the physiological functions of cells and organs. Vitamin D enables the absorption of various minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc, iron, and selenium. While certain minerals, including magnesium and zinc, act as cofactors to activate vitamin D and be functional. Similarly, calcium and phosphorus are involved in vitamin D-mediated signaling events. Vitamin D also facilitates the uptake of toxic elements, including lead, arsenic, aluminum, cobalt, and strontium.
Despite progress in understanding the various stages of vitamin D metabolism, there are knowledge gaps in how dysregulations of different mineral ions and vitamin D trigger and propagate numerous chronic diseases.
The overarching goal of this Research Topic is to bring together basic scientists and clinicians to explain how the endocrine connection between mineral ions and vitamin D forms a physiologic feed-forward loop in normal health while disrupted in various systemic and metabolic diseases. The mechanisms by which miscommunication between vitamin D and mineral ions contribute to altered bone mineralization, energy metabolism, and cell signaling, resulting in systemic and metabolic disorders are poorly understood. These would likely involve endocrine dysregulation of other factors like PTH, FGF23, klotho, growth factors, and cytokines. Understanding the extent of the hormonal impact on cellular and tissue functions and the potential for reversing such courses is essential to reducing the burden of chronic diseases.
This Research Topic welcomes the submission of Original Manuscripts, updated Reviews (of the existing literature), brief Commentaries and Opinions (on emerging areas of vitamin D and mineral ion metabolism), and Case Reports.