A prospective study of plasma vitamin D metabolites, vitamin D receptor polymorphisms, and prostate cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Vitamin D insufficiency is a common public health problem nationwide. Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25[OH]D), the most commonly used index of vitamin D status, is converted to the active hormone 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]2D), which, operating through the vitamin D receptor (VDR), inhibits in vitro cell proliferation, induces differentiation and apoptosis, and may protect against prostate cancer. Despite intriguing results from laboratory studies, previous epidemiological studies showed inconsistent associations of circulating levels of 25(OH)D, 1,25(OH)2D, and several VDR polymorphisms with prostate cancer risk. Few studies have explored the joint association of circulating vitamin D levels with VDR polymorphisms.

Methods and findings

During 18 y of fo

SUBMITTER: Li H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1831738 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature