Bontsiou I, Tzikos G, Chorti A, Vouchara A, Menni A, Papaioannou M, Kotzampassi K, Papavramidis TS. Vitamin D and inflammatory bowel diseases. World J Gastroenterol 2026; 32(28): 116790 [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.116790]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Ioannis Bontsiou, MD, Department of Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Street Kiriakidi 1, Thessaloniki 54636, Greece. ibontsiou@ahepahosp.gr
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Gastroenterology & Hepatology
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Bontsiou I, Tzikos G, Chorti A, Vouchara A, Menni A, Papaioannou M, Kotzampassi K, Papavramidis TS. Vitamin D and inflammatory bowel diseases. World J Gastroenterol 2026; 32(28): 116790 [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.116790]
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 28, 2026; 32(28): 116790 Published online Jul 28, 2026. doi: 10.3748/wjg.116790
Vitamin D and inflammatory bowel diseases
Ioannis Bontsiou, Georgios Tzikos, Angeliki Chorti, Angeliki Vouchara, Alexandra Menni, Maria Papaioannou, Katerina Kotzampassi, Theodosios S Papavramidis
Ioannis Bontsiou, Georgios Tzikos, Angeliki Chorti, Angeliki Vouchara, Alexandra Menni, Katerina Kotzampassi, Theodosios S Papavramidis, Department of Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54636, Greece
Maria Papaioannou, Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece
Author contributions: Bontsiou I, Tzikos G and Vouchara A drafted the initial and final manuscript; Chorti A, Menni A and Papaioannou M contributed equally to the correction of the final manuscript; Kotzampassi K and Papavramidis TS conceptualized and designed the review; All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript as submitted.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Corresponding author: Ioannis Bontsiou, MD, Department of Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Street Kiriakidi 1, Thessaloniki 54636, Greece. ibontsiou@ahepahosp.gr
Received: November 27, 2025 Revised: February 8, 2026 Accepted: March 26, 2026 Published online: July 28, 2026 Processing time: 224 Days and 9.5 Hours
Abstract
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the two main gastrointestinal disorders that constitute inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Their etiology is still unknown; however, their pathogenesis is believed to be rooted in a disorganized immune response. Targeted research was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus and EMBASE databases, including relevant peer-reviewed articles published from November 1994 to June 2025. In the past decade, vitamin D (VD) has been established as a major regulator of the immune system, including the specific environment of the digestive system, beyond its role in calcium and phosphate homeostasis. There is strong evidence that VD supports epithelial barrier integrity by influencing gut microbiome composition. On the other hand, VD deficiency is very common among patients with IBD and may contribute to disease activity, morbidity (including the need for surgery and risk for colorectal cancer), and impaired health-related quality of life. Moreover, VD deficiency seems to increase the risk of malignancy in patients with IBD. However, it remains controversial whether VD deficiency is a consequence of the disease or is implicated in its pathogenesis. Finally, the therapeutic role of VD in IBD remains to be established.
Core Tip: Vitamin D (VD) is a main regulator of immune-mediated diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease. The VD-VD receptor signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier and gastrointestinal microbiota. Lower VD levels seem to play a part to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease and reflect the disease activity. VD deficiency is linked to a higher risk of colorectal cancer. In contrast, increased VD levels are associated with reduced bowel resection risk and fewer hospitalizations. Finally, there is promising evidence that VD administration could act as a therapeutic factor.
