Deciphering Controversies About the Effect of Vitamin D in Hepatitis B

Marina Ruxandra Otelea^1*, Oana Sandulescu^1,2 & Isabela Tarcomnicu²

¹Clinical Department 2, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Bucharest, Romania
²National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Prof. Dr. Matei Bals”, Bucharest, Romania

Dr. Marina Ruxandra Otelea, Clinical Department 2, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Bucharest, Romania.

Keywords: Vitamin D; Hepatitis B; Vitamin D Binding Protein; Vitamin D Receptor

Abstract

Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus has a major public health impact. Current antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B keeps the infection under control, but does not cure the disease; therefore, different areas of research aiming to reduce the risk of progressive disease are open. Despite numerous experimental data showing a benefit from vitamin D supplementation, clinical studies do not consistently support this finding. This review covers the possible explanations for these controversies, highlighting the complexity of vitamin D metabolism and of hepatitis B virus biology that should be considered for proper comparison of the results of the clinical studies.

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