| Title: | Disrupted vitamin D metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma : free and bioavailable 25(OH)D as novel biomarkers of hepatic reserve and clinical risk |
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| Authors: | ID Osredkar, Joško (Author)
ID Rakuša, Matej (Author)
ID Jerin, Aleš (Author)
ID Štabuc, Borut (Author)
ID Zaplotnik, Martin (Author)
ID Štupar, Saša (Author)
ID Siuka, Darko (Author) |
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| Files: |  PDF - Presentation file, download (530,80 KB)
MD5: A24448CEC6CA3A4935A156433EBCD6EE
 URL - Source URL, visit https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/2/273
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| Language: | English |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: |  UKC LJ - Ljubljana University Medical Centre
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| Abstract: | Background: Although total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) measurements may not accurately reflect functional vitamin D status, vitamin D deficiency is common in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The contribution of altered vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) and albumin to impaired bioavailability is poorly characterized in liver cancer. Methods: We measured total, free, and bioavailable 25(OH)D, VDBP, and albumin in 46 HCC patients and 87 healthy controls during winter and summer. Correlations with Child–Pugh score, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage, and disease aetiology were evaluated. Results: HCC patients exhibited significantly lower VDBP (177.3 ± 237.0 vs. 239.9 ± 141.9 mg/L, p < 0.001) and albumin (35.9 ± 5.4 vs. 48.0 ± 3.9 g/L, p < 0.001) compared to winter controls. Total 25(OH)D was lower in HCC (39.3 ± 22.1 nmol/L) versus summer controls (75.0 ± 22.8 nmol/L, p < 0.001) but comparable to winter controls (p = 0.061). HCC patients lacked seasonal variation in vitamin D fractions, unlike the controls. VDBP negatively correlated with free (ρ = −0.606, p < 0.001) and bioavailable 25(OH)D (ρ = −0.541, p < 0.001). Child–Pugh score correlated positively with BCLC stage (ρ = 0.378, p = 0.012) and inversely with albumin (ρ = −0.565, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Free and bioavailable vitamin D are profoundly compromised in HCC, reflecting impaired hepatic synthetic function and systemic inflammation. These fractions may serve as novel metabolic biomarkers superior to total 25(OH)D for assessing vitamin D deficiency and guiding individualized supplementation strategies in patients with liver cancer. |
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| Keywords: | hepatocellular carcinoma, vitamin D metabolism, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, free vitamin D, bioavailable vitamin D, vitamin D-binding protein, albumin, Child-Pugh score, BCLC staging, biomarkers |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | str. 1-15 |
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| Numbering: | Vol. 31, iss. 2, [article no.] 273 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DiRROS-28821  |
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| UDC: | 616.36-006+612.015.612 |
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| ISSN on article: | 1420-3049 |
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| DOI: | 10.3390/molecules31020273 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 264604163 |
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| Note: | Nasl. z nasl. zaslona;
Opis vira z dne 14. 1. 2026;
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| Publication date in DiRROS: | 08.04.2026 |
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| Views: | 106 |
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| Downloads: | 71 |
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