Elucidation of novel molecular mechanisms of vitamin D involved in skeletal muscle functions for prevention of sarcopenia.

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K11644
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: Toyama Prefectural University
• Principal Investigator: Nishikawa Miyu 富山県立大学, 工学部, 助教 (90749805)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: ビタミンD / サルコペニア / VDR / CYP27B1

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to elucidate novel molecular mechanisms of vitamin D for skeletal muscle function to prevent sarcopenia. In order to identify the novel vitamin D signals that is involved in the maintenance of skeletal muscle function, we compared the muscle phenotypes of three types of genetically modified rat strains deficient in different vitamin D signals. The results indicated that not only conventional vitamin D receptor (VDR)-mediated signals but also VDR-independent vitamin D signals, which have been reported recently, may be involved in the maintenance of skeletal muscle function.

Free Research Field

食品科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ビタミンDの代表的な生理作用として腸におけるカルシウム吸収促進を介した骨形成作用が挙げられる。そのため活性型ビタミンDは骨粗しょう症治療薬として応用される一方、強すぎるカルシウム作用の為、骨疾患以外への応用は難しい。本研究では、強力なカルシウム作用が知られる既存のビタミンDシグナルとは別のシグナルもまた、骨格筋機能維持に関わる可能性を示した。本研究で得られた知見は作用分離型のビタミンDおよびその製剤の開発に寄与することが期待される。