MINI-REVIEW: Mechanisms of Neuroprotective Action of Vitamin D₃

A. V. Kalueff^1,3*, K. O. Eremin^2,3, and P. Tuohimaa³

¹Center of Physiology and Biochemical Research, ul. Cheshskaya 6-5, Kiev 01042, Ukraine; E-mail: cpbr@mail.ru

²Institute of Pharmacology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, ul. Baltiiskaya 8, Moscow 125315, Russia; E-mail: nimerek@yandex.ru

³Department of Clinical Chemistry, Medical School, University of Tampere, Tampere 33014, Finland; fax: (358) 3-215-6170; E-mail: avkalueff@inbox.ru

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received November 24, 2003

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This review considers modern data on the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effect of the neurosteroid vitamin D₃ and its receptors in the nervous system. Special attention is paid to Ca²⁺ regulation, stimulation of neurotrophin release, interaction with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, and neuroimmunomodulatory effects of calcitriol, the main biologically active form of vitamin D₃, in the nervous system.

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KEY WORDS: vitamin D₃, calcitriol, nervous system, neuroprotection

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