Vitamin D deficiency and its role in muscle-bone interactions in the elderly

Abstract

In this commentary, we focus on common 'downstream' links of vitamin D between muscle and bone health. Both direct and indirect effects of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)D) link the mutual age-related decline in muscle function and bone density, independent of physical activity. Changes in calcium absorption associated with vitamin D deficiency affect both muscle and bone mass. The age-related decline in vitamin D receptor expression and 1,25(OH)D activity impact on proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor -α and interleukin-6 in skeletal muscle and vitamin D deficiency appears to enhance both bone marrow adipogenesis and intramuscular adipose tissue impacting as reduced fun..