Vitamin D Increases Expression of Cathelicidin in Cultured Sebocytes

In the 2012 study, researchers found that vitamin D significantly increased the gene and protein expression of hCAP-18 (cathelicidin) in cultured sebocytes from scalp hair follicles of patients with androgenic alopecia, in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was mediated through the vitamin D receptor (VDR), as blocking the VDR with siRNA prevented the increase in hCAP-18 expression. The increase was specific to hCAP-18, as other antimicrobial peptides were not significantly affected. The findings suggest a potential role for vitamin D in influencing sebocyte behavior and possibly in treating sebaceous gland-related disorders, although the study did not directly address the effects of vitamin D on acne or the benefits of vitamin D supplementation for such conditions. The number of sebocytes or patients used in the study was not specified.