Targeting the Hallmarks of Aging with Vitamin D: Starting to Decode the Myth

Aging is the results of several complex and multifactorial processes, where several agents contribute to increase intrinsic vulnerability and susceptibility to age-related diseases. The telomere(definition) attrition, cellular senescence(definition))." style="text-decoration:underline dotted; text-underline-offset:2px; cursor:help;">hallmarks of aging(definition) are a set of biological mechanisms, finely regulated and strictly interconnected, initiating or contributing to biological changes anticipating several age-related diseases. The complex network of cellular and intercellular connections between the hallmarks might represent a possible target for the research of agents with pleiotropic affects. Vitamin D (VitD) is known to have positive impact not only on muscle and bone health, but also on several extra-skeletal districts, due to the widespread presence of VDRs (VDR). VitD and VDR could be molecules potentially targeting the hallmark of aging network. To date, evidence about the potential effect of VitD on the hallmark of aging is scarce in humans and mainly based on preclinical models. Although underpowered and heterogeneous, in-human studies seems to confirm the modulatory effect of VitD on some hallmarks aging and diseases. However, more investigations are needed to clarify the pleiotropic effects of VitD and its impact on the hallmark of aging, hopefully highlighting the courses for translational applications and potential clinical conclusions.