Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Increased Risk of chronic hepatitis: Study
A new study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology by Liu and colleagues has revealed that lower levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) are closely associated with a higher risk of developing chronic hepatitis (CH). The findings indicate that vitamin D deficiency may not only worsen liver inflammation but also contribute to disease progression by influencing immune and metabolic pathways. According to the authors, maintaining adequate vitamin D levels could play a protective role in liver health and potentially improve therapeutic outcomes for patients with chronic hepatitis.
The researchers explained that vitamin D functions as an immunomodulator that helps regulate the body’s inflammatory response and protect against viral replication and liver fibrosis. In individuals with chronic hepatitis, low 25-OHD levels may disrupt these protective effects, leading to increased oxidative stress, cellular damage, and impaired immune regulation. The study found that patients with reduced vitamin D levels tended to show more severe clinical manifestations and poorer liver function compared to those with normal levels. These results suggest that vitamin D status may serve as a simple yet valuable biomarker for assessing disease risk and monitoring treatment response in chronic hepatitis.
The authors highlighted that vitamin D supplementation could be an effective adjunctive approach in the management of chronic hepatitis, particularly for patients who are deficient. However, they cautioned that more well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to establish optimal dosage, duration, and long-term safety of supplementation in liver disease patients. Despite some limitations, this study strengthens the evidence linking vitamin D deficiency with chronic hepatic disorders and encourages clinicians to routinely monitor and manage vitamin D levels in at-risk populations.
Keywords: vitamin D deficiency, chronic hepatitis, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, liver disease, inflammation, immune modulation, World Journal of Gastroenterology
