Table 2.

Vitamin D effects on atherosclerosis.

Lipid profile	reduces total cholesterol reduces LDL-C reduces triglycerides increases HDL-C
Endothelial adhesion and activation	○reduces vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) ○reduces E-selectin
Vascular tone and endothelial function	increases the level of nitric oxide reduces the level of reactive oxygen species released
Inflammation and atherosclerosis	○reduces proinflammatory type 1 cytokines: IL-12, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha ○increase anti-inflammatory type 2 cytokines: IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 ○reduces oxidative stress through reducing cathepsin, IL-6 and adiponectin
Arterial smooth muscle cells	decreases production of angiotensin II decreases oxidative stress inhibits cellular senescence reduces tissue factor expression