Vitamin Utilization: Function and Benefits for Your Needs

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2021) | Viewed by 8342

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Biochemical, Physiological and Nutritional Sciences, University of Messina, 98123 Messina, Italy
Interests: genetic background; cancer

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Foods have more vitamins than the amount required by the human body. Despite this, nutritional status does not always make these vitamins available for our needs, which depend greatly on one’s age, potential pregnancy status, health, and nutritional status. In humans, vitamins must be ingested through diet or supplements—and since, unfortunately, there are no foods that contain all the vitamins the human body needs, it is necessary to combine different food groups to be well nourished. In the context of functional homeostasis, vitamins play a relevant role in mineral metabolism, in the regulation of enzymatic activities, and in preventing different pathological conditions. 

Vitamins play important roles in health by counteracting dangerous free radicals produced in different cell types by exposure to various stressors. Several studies have demonstrated that antioxidant vitamins (vitamin E, vitamin C, and beta-carotene) are particularly influenced by disease conditions. However, dietary and tissue balance of all these nutrients are important in protecting tissues against free-radical damage. Experimental evidence supports the use of recommended levels of vitamins for the prevention of cancer. Although their biological effects have been clarified, further studies are needed to demonstrate the anticancer effects of vitamins. In addition, other than the physiological role in mineral metabolism and bone tissue, a considerable series of studies have offered evidence on the involvement of vitamin D3 in different responses occurring in the cells of the immune system. Similarly, vitamin D3 assists brain health, and so do vitamins B9 and B12, which are involved in homocysteine metabolism. 

Considering the different roles and benefits of vitamins, vitamin deficiency can result in a variety of health problems depending on the missing vitamin and its physiological role. Thus, several factors must be evaluated in order to choose the right vitamin supplement. In particular, the fact that vitamins have different nutritional supplements and various properties and different bioavailability must be considered for a valid choice.

Prof. Riccardo Ientile
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • vitamins
  • vitamin deficiency
  • vitamin supplementation
  • cancer
  • antioxidants
  • nervous system
  • aging
  • inflammation
  • immune response

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 9659 KiB  
Article
Vitamin D Is Necessary for Murine Gastric Epithelial Homeostasis
by Ifrah Ismail Ali, Iltaf Shah, Sayed Marzouk, Sherif M. Karam and Asma Al Menhali
Biology 2021, 10(8), 705; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10080705 - 23 Jul 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3215
Abstract
Unlike other organs, the importance of VD in a normal stomach is unknown. This study focuses on understanding the physiological role of vitamin D in gastric epithelial homeostasis. C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups that were either fed a standard diet and [...] Read more.
Unlike other organs, the importance of VD in a normal stomach is unknown. This study focuses on understanding the physiological role of vitamin D in gastric epithelial homeostasis. C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups that were either fed a standard diet and kept in normal light/dark cycles (SDL), fed a standard diet but kept in the dark (SDD) or fed a vitamin D-deficient diet and kept in the dark (VDD). After 3 months, sera were collected to measure vitamin D levels by LC-MS/MS, gastric tissues were collected for immunohistochemical and gene expression analyses and gastric contents were collected to measure acid levels. The VDD group showed a significant decrease in the acid-secreting parietal cell-specific genes Atp4a and Atp4b when compared with the controls. This reduction was associated with an increased expression of an antral gastrin hormone. VDD gastric tissues also showed a high proliferation rate compared with SDL and SDD using an anti-BrdU antibody. This study indicates the requirement for normal vitamin D levels for proper parietal cell functions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vitamin Utilization: Function and Benefits for Your Needs)
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12 pages, 1321 KiB  
Article
Changes in 25-(OH) Vitamin D Levels during the SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak: Lockdown-Related Effects and First-to-Second Wave Difference—An Observational Study from Northern Italy
by Davide Ferrari, Massimo Locatelli, Martina Faraldi and Giovanni Lombardi
Biology 2021, 10(3), 237; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10030237 - 19 Mar 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3546
Abstract
Background. We investigated the changes in 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25-(OH)D] concentrations values, during the first and the second pandemic waves and the impact of the lockdown periods, with their different approaches to home confinement, among different age groups. Methods. Daily cloud-modified vitamin D [...] Read more.
Background. We investigated the changes in 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25-(OH)D] concentrations values, during the first and the second pandemic waves and the impact of the lockdown periods, with their different approaches to home confinement, among different age groups. Methods. Daily cloud-modified vitamin D UV dose (UVDVC), for the area of interest (Milano, Italy), was obtained. Single-center 25-(OH)D determinations from 40,996 individuals in a 2019 (pre-pandemic), 32,355 individuals from 1 January to 31 August 2020 (containing the first pandemic wave) and 27,684 individuals from 1 June to 30 November 2020 (containing the second wave) were compared to investigate both the effect of the lockdown on vitamin D status and the association between 25-(OH)D and SARS-CoV-2 positivity. Results. No direct association was found between UVDVC, 25-(OH)D status and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The stringent confinement implemented during the first wave lockdown has not had any effect on 25-(OH)D status, although some peculiar time-restricted profile behaviors can be deduced, possibly due to vitamin D supplementation habits and features of those patients who presented to the hospital during the lockdown period. Conclusions. Although our data do not suggest any direct relationship between 25-(OH)D status, sun exposure, and SARS-CoV-2 infection, an indirect protective role cannot be excluded. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vitamin Utilization: Function and Benefits for Your Needs)
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