J Lipid Atheroscler.  2021 May;10(2):130-144. 10.12997/jla.2021.10.2.130.

The Role of Vitamin D in Adipose Tissue Biology: Adipocyte Differentiation, Energy Metabolism, and Inflammation

• Park CY
• Han SN

• KMID: 2516879
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12997/jla.2021.10.2.130

Abstract

Adipose tissue is composed of diverse cell types and plays a major role in energy homeostasis and inflammation at the local and systemic levels. Adipose tissue serves as the main site for vitamin D storage and is among the most important extraskeletal targets of vitamin D which can modulate multiple aspects of adipose tissue biology. Vitamin D may exert inhibitory or stimulatory effects on adipocyte differentiation depending on cell type, stage of differentiation, and the treatment time point. Moreover, vitamin D controls energy metabolism in adipose tissue by affecting fatty acid oxidation, expression of uncoupling proteins, insulin resistance, and adipokine production. Adipose tissue inflammation can have a significant impact on the metabolic disorders often associated with obesity, and vitamin D can modulate the inflammatory response of immune cells and adipocytes within the adipose tissue. This review discusses the role of adipose tissue in vitamin D metabolism, as well as the regulatory role of vitamin D in adipocyte differentiation, adipose tissue energy metabolism, and inflammation, thereby providing insights into the importance of vitamin D in adipose tissue biology.

Keyword

Vitamin D; Adipose tissue; Metabolism; Inflammation