EXPLORING THE VITAMIN D RECEPTOR GENE POLYMORPHISMS: IMPLICATIONS FOR DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY

The Vitamin D endocrine system, comprising of Vitamin D, its receptor (VDR), and metabolic enzymes, coordinates essential physiological functions influencing skeletal metabolism, immune response, and various diseases including osteoarthritis, cancer, and obesity. Understanding the impact of genetic variations, particularly the VDR gene, on disease susceptibility is crucial. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of Vitamin D metabolism, deciphering how the VDR gene works and understanding how different versions of the gene impact complex diseases. It provides a brief overview of the association between VDR gene polymorphisms in inflammatory disease, hypertension, osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism, coronary artery disease, asthma, cancer, and infectious diseases. Despite significant findings linking VDR gene polymorphisms to disease risk; inconsistencies across populations warrant further investigation. Future research works are vital for elucidating the intricate connections between gene variations and susceptibility of disease, paving the way for personalized healthcare interventions and targeted therapies.