Lucknow: Fatty liver disease, increasingly linked to modern lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits, may also be silently disrupting the body's ability to process vitamin D, according to a new study by researchers at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS).
Vitamin D Processing and Liver Health
Vitamin D, important for bone strength, immunity and several metabolic functions, needs to be processed by the liver and kidneys before the body can fully use it. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), previously known as NASH, is considered one of the most severe forms of fatty liver disease and is increasingly emerging as a major public health concern globally, including in India. The condition can lead to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and, in advanced cases, liver failure or liver cancer.
Study Findings on CYP2R1 Enzyme
Published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, a high-impact science journal grouped under ScienceDirect, the study noted that liver injury linked to diets high in fat and sugar may weaken this process by suppressing a liver enzyme called CYP2R1. “The study involved analysis of human liver samples alongside experiments on animal models. Researchers observed that fatty diets altered liver metabolism in a way that reduced levels of CYP2R1, thereby affecting the liver's ability to convert vitamin D into a usable form,” said Rohit Anthony Sinha, additional professor, department of endocrinology, who led the study.
“We found evidence that liver injury caused by diets rich in fat and sugar may weaken a key process that helps the body use vitamin D effectively,” said PhD scholar Abhishek Yadav, who co-authored the paper.
Implications for Vitamin D Deficiency
Adding that the work provides a mechanistic explanation for vitamin D deficiency frequently seen in advanced fatty liver disease, Dr Sinha said, “This could explain why vitamin D deficiency is commonly seen in patients with severe fatty liver disease, even in cases where sunlight exposure or nutritional intake appear adequate. Understanding this pathway may help inform future strategies to slow disease progression.”
Experts believe the study could pave the way for future therapeutic approaches targeting vitamin D metabolism as part of comprehensive fatty liver disease management. Dr Sinha also said that the findings reinforce the importance of early lifestyle interventions, including balanced nutrition, reduced consumption of processed foods and regular exercise. “We have also recommended routine monitoring of vitamin D levels in patients diagnosed with fatty liver disease, especially those with advanced liver injury,” he said.
