TLDR Diet can prevent bone issues but not hair loss in mice lacking vitamin D receptors.
The study investigated the effects of normalizing mineral ion levels through diet in vitamin D receptor (VDR)-ablated mice. It was found that this dietary intervention prevented secondary hyperparathyroidism, rickets, and osteomalacia by normalizing growth and serum ionized calcium levels. Despite these improvements, alopecia persisted in the VDR-ablated mice, indicating that the vitamin D receptor is essential for normal hair growth. This suggested that while mineral ion homeostasis could prevent certain bone-related conditions, it did not address hair loss associated with VDR deficiency.
100 citations
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October 1986 in “Clinical Endocrinology” Alopecia indicates more severe resistance to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.
55 citations
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May 1985 in “Archives of Dermatology” Calcitriol-resistant rickets is an inherited disorder that affects hair growth and causes hair loss.
70 citations
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November 1984 in “Cell & tissue research/Cell and tissue research” Vitamin D3 affects cell differentiation in specific skin areas.
1533 citations
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October 2008 in “Endocrine reviews” Mice without the vitamin D receptor have bone issues and other health problems, suggesting vitamin D is important for preventing various diseases in humans.
December 2017 in “Elsevier eBooks” The vitamin D receptor helps maintain hair and bone health even without binding vitamin D.
78 citations
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November 2005 in “Endocrinology” Hairless protein can block vitamin D activation in skin cells.
81 citations
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January 2006 in “Journal of cellular physiology” Mice without the vitamin D receptor gene lose hair due to disrupted hair follicle cycles.
277 citations
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July 2002 in “Molecular Endocrinology” Removing part of the vitamin D receptor stops vitamin D from working properly.
