Affiliation:
1. Poradnia Leczenia Bólu, Szpital Uniwersytecki w Krakowie, Kraków, Polska
Abstract
The purpose of the narrative review is to present the current knowledge on the mechanisms of action of vitaminD in the processes of nociception. The role of vitamin D in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism is wellknown and documented, and there is a strong correlation between hypovitaminosis D and the occurrence of bonepain in humans. However, the mechanisms by which vitamin D may influence nociception processes are poorlyunderstood. The review was based on selected publications from 1973October 2022, relating to the mechanismsand analgesic efficacy of vitamin D in animal and human studies. The potential interaction between the vitamin Dpathway and nociception processes, demonstrated in the above studies, is discussed. The analysis of the results ofexperimental and clinical studies indicates a significant correlation and participation of vitamin D in the processesof nociception through its influence on receptors, numerous ion channels, modulation of the expression of pro- andanti-inflammatory cytokines, neurotrophic factors, prostaglandin levels, oxidative processes, the opioid system andthe activity of immunocompetent cells. Indirectly, vitamin D also affects the risk and course of autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancer, which may be associated with chronic pain in humans.