Vitamin D-Parathyroid Hormone-Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 Axis and Cardiac Remodeling

Cardiac remodeling is a compensatory adaptive response to chronic heart failure (HF) altering the structure, function, and metabolism of the heart. Many nutritional and metabolic diseases can aggravate the pathophysiological development of cardiac remodeling. Vitamin D deficiency leads to cardiac remodeling by activating the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), resulting in enhanced inflammation and directly promoting cardiac fibrosis and extracellular matrix deposition. Hyperparathyroidism upregulates protein kinase A or protein kinase C, enhances intracellular calcium influx, promotes oxidative stress, activates RAAS, and increases aldosterone levels, thereby aggravating cardiac remodeling. Besides, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) plays a direct role in the heart, resulting in ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis. Vitamin D deficiency leads to hyperparathyroidism, which in turn increases the level of FGF23. Elevated levels of FGF23 further inhibit vitamin D synthesis. Evidence exists that vitamin D deficiency, hyperparathyroidism, and marked elevations in FGF23 concentration form a vicious cycle and are believed to contribute directly to cardiac remodeling. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to introduce the specific effects of the above substances on the heart and to explain the significance of understanding the vitamin D-parathyroid hormone-FGF23 axis in improving or even reversing cardiac remodeling, thus contributing to the treatment of patients with HF.