PMID: 

Arch Acad Emerg Med. 2020 ;8(1):e13. Epub 2020 Feb 27. PMID: 32259112

Abstract Title: 

Vitamin D Status in Epileptic Children on Valproic Acid; a Case-Control Study.

Abstract: 

Introduction: Much attention has been paid to the association between valproic acid treatment and bone health. The objective of this study is to compare the serum vitamin D3 level in the epileptic children under valproic acid treatment with the healthy control group.Methods: A case-control study has been carried out to compare vitamin D3 levels in 50 epileptic children who were treated with valproic acid with 50 healthy children selected from children visiting the hospital for routine checkup as control group.Results: 100 cases with the mean age of 7.57± 3.62 years (range: 2 – 15 years) were studied (44% boys). Among the 50 epileptic cases; 41 (82%) had generalized and 9 (18%) had partial seizure (56% well controlled and 44% poorly controlled). 15 (30%) of epileptic cases were using anti-epileptic drugs for 6-12 months, 36% for 12-24 months, and34% for more than 24 months. The case and control groups were similar regarding gender (p =0.99), age (p = 0.24), and BMI (p = 0.64). 49 (49%) patients had some grade of vitamin D3 deficiency. There was a significant difference between case and control groups regarding vitamin D3 levels (p = 0.001).None of the controls had severe vitamin D3 deficiency, while 14% of cases did. 36 (72%) individuals in control group had sufficient or optimal vitamin D3 levels; while only 15 (30%) case patients had such levels. Generally, the control group had higher vitamin D3 levels in comparison to case group(p = 0.001).Conclusions: The study revealed that there was a higher prevalence of vitamin D3 insufficiency in epileptic children receiving valproate monotherapy compared with healthy children. Vitamin D3 supplementation should be given to all epileptic children even before initiation of anti-epileptic drugs.

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PMID: 

Rev Neurol (Paris). 2020 Mar 30. Epub 2020 Mar 30. PMID: 32241571

Abstract Title: 

Vitamin D serum levels in patients with migraine: A meta-analysis.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Dietary habits and nutrients have been associated with migraine. The present study comprises a meta-analysis of observational studies evaluating serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in patients with migraine and healthy controls.METHODS: MEDLINE and Cochrane databases were comprehensively searched. References from retrieved observational studies, reviews and meta-analyses were manually screened. Quality assessment was performed based on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. 25(OH)D concentrations were assessed by estimates of mean differences (MD) and their precision [95% confidence intervals (95% CIs)]. Random effects (RE) or fixed effects (FE) model was used based on heterogeneity among trials (homogeneity determined when PQ>0.1 and I2

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PMID: 

Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2020 Apr 3. Epub 2020 Apr 3. PMID: 32245785

Abstract Title: 

Higher serum vitamin D concentrations are longitudinally associated with better global quality of life and less fatigue in colorectal cancer survivors up to 2 years after treatment.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D status may be an important determinant of health-related quality of life of colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors. The current study investigated longitudinal associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) concentrations and quality of life in stage I-III CRC survivors up to 2 years post-treatment.METHODS: CRC patients (n=261) were included upon diagnosis. Home visits (including blood sampling) were performed at diagnosis and at 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 and 2 years post-treatment. Serum 25OHD3 concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and adjusted for season. Validated questionnaires were used to assess global quality of life and cognitive functioning (EORTC-QLQ-C30), fatigue (EORTC-QLQ-C30 and Checklist Individual Strength, CIS), and depression and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Statistical analyses were performed using linear mixed-models and adjusted for sex, age, time since diagnosis, therapy, comorbidities, physical activity, and BMI.RESULTS: At diagnosis, 45% of patients were vitamin D deficient (

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PMID: 

Prev Med. 2020 Apr 1:106072. Epub 2020 Apr 1. PMID: 32247012

Abstract Title: 

Vitamin D supplementation reduces the occurrence of colorectal polyps in high-latitude locations.

Abstract: 

There is suggestive evidence for the role of vitamin D in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Due to high latitudes in Canada, many Canadians are vitamin D deficient throughout winter. In this analysis, we examined the association between vitamin D supplement use and high-risk adenomatous polyps (HRAPs). The study population was drawn from the biorepository at the Forzani&MacPhail Colon Cancer Screening Centre (CCSC) in Calgary. Individuals enrolled between 2013 and 2016 between the age of 50 and 74 years (n = 1409) were included. When examining the association between any supplemental vitamin D use and HRAPs, a protective effect is observed with an ORof 0.57 (95% CI: 0.33-0.96). Similarly, meeting the recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin D (600 IU) is protective against HRAPs with an ORof 0.78 (95% CI: 0.62-0.99). This study suggests that adequate vitamin D supplementation reduces the occurrence of colorectal polyps in high-latitude locations.

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PMID: 

Curr Pharm Des. 2020 Apr 5. Epub 2020 Apr 5. PMID: 32250212

Abstract Title: 

Vitamin D and N-Acetyl cysteine supplementation in treatment resistant depressive disorder patients: a general review.

Abstract: 

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is often a lifetime and disabling mental illness as individuals with MDD might not benefit from standard-therapy both pharmacological and psychosocial interventions. Novel therapies are therefore required. It was shown by recent preclinical and clinical studies that a dysfunction of glutamatergic neurotransmission might be involved in the pathophysiology of MDD. Furthermore, neuroimmune alterations could have a significant role in the pathogenesis of MDD. Vitamin D is a neurosteroid hormone essential for several metabolic processes, immune responses, and for regulating neurotrophic- neuroprotective processes, neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. Recent studies have also shown a Vitamin D deficiency in patients with severe psychiatric disorders, including MDD. Lately clinical studies have shown the neuroprotective action of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) through a modulation of inflammatory pathways and via the modulation of synaptic release of glutamate in corticosubcortical brain regions the cysteine-glutamate antiporter. This paper reviews the therapeutic use of Vitamin D and NAC and among individuals with refractory MDD to the first- line pharmacological interventions, reviewing the clinical studies published in the last decade. A detail a summary of the current evidence in this area aims to better inform the psychiatrists and general pratictioners on the potential benefits of Vitamin D and NAC supplementation for this disorder. Nutraceutical supplementation with Vitamin D and NAC in treatment resistance MDD may be important not only for improving depressive clinical manifestations, but also for their safety and tolerability profile. This is of great interest especially considering the need of treatment special populations affected by MDD, such as youngsters and elders. Finally, the nutraceutical approach represents a good choice considering its better compliance by the patients compared to traditional psychopharmacological treatment.

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PMID: 

Biochem Pharmacol. 2020 Apr 3:113955. Epub 2020 Apr 3. PMID: 32251673

Abstract Title: 

Vitamin D attenuates lung injury via stimulating epithelial repair, reducing epithelial cell apoptosis and inhibits TGF-β induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition.

Abstract: 

Vitamin D regulates cell proliferation, inhibits cytokines release at sites of inflammation and reduces inflammatory responses. In this study, the aim was to investigate whether exogenous vitamin D attenuates LPS-induced lung injury via modulating epithelial cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Murine and in vitro primary type II alveolar epithelial cell work were included in this study. In vivo, mice were mildly vitamin D deficient, 0.1, 1.5, 10mg/kg 1,25(OH)-vitamin Dor 25(OH)-vitamin Dwas administrated by means of an intra-gastric injection for 14 days pre-intra-tracheal (IT) LPS, which remarkedly promoted alveolar epithelial type II cells proliferation, inhibited ATII cells apoptosis and inhibited EMT, with the outcome of attenuated LPS-induced lung injury. In vitro, vitamin D stimulated epithelial cell scratch wound repair, reduced primary ATII cells apoptosis as well. Vitamin D promoted primary human ATII cells proliferation through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and activation of vitamin D receptor (VDR). Moreover, vitamin D inhibited EMT in response to TGF-β, which was vitamin D receptor dependent. In conclusion, vitamin D attenuates lung injury via stimulating ATII cells proliferation and migration, reducing epithelial cell apoptosis and inhibits TGF-β induced EMT. Together, these results suggest that vitamin D has therapeutic potential for the resolution of ARDS.

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PMID: 

Gene. 2020 Apr 3:144649. Epub 2020 Apr 3. PMID: 32251702

Abstract Title: 

Vitamin D Metabolites Influences Expression Of Genes Concerning Cellular Viability And Function In Insulin Producingβ-Cells (INS1E).

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that vitamin D can enhance glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and change the expression of genes in pancreaticβ-cells. Still the mechanisms linking vitamin D and GSIS are unknown.MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used an establishedβ-cell line, INS1E. INS1E cells were pre-treated with 10 nM 1,25(OH)vitamin D or 10 nM 25(OH)vitamin D for 72 hours and stimulated with 22 mM glucose for 60 minutes. RNA was extracted for gene expression analysis.RESULTS: Expression of genes affecting viability, apoptosis and GSIS changed after pre-treatment with both 1,25(OH)vitamin D and 25(OH)vitamin D in INS1E cells. Stimulation with glucose after pre-treatment of INS1E cells with 1,25(OH)vitamin D resulted in 181 differentially expressed genes, whereas 526 genes were differentially expressed after pre-treatment with 25(OH)vitamin D.CONCLUSION: Vitamin D metabolites may affect pancreaticβ-cells and GSIS through changed gene expression for genes involved in β-cell function and viability.

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PMID: 

Nutrients. 2020 Apr 2 ;12(4). Epub 2020 Apr 2. PMID: 32252338

Abstract Title: 

Evidence that Vitamin D Supplementation Could Reduce Risk of Influenza and COVID-19 Infections and Deaths.

Abstract: 

The world is in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health measures that can reduce the risk of infection and death in addition to quarantines are desperately needed. This article reviews the roles of vitamin D in reducing the risk of respiratory tract infections, knowledge about the epidemiology of influenza and COVID-19, and how vitamin D supplementation might be a useful measure to reduce risk. Through several mechanisms, vitamin D can reduce risk of infections. Those mechanisms include inducing cathelicidins and defensins that can lower viral replication rates and reducing concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines that produce the inflammation that injures the lining of the lungs, leading to pneumonia, as well as increasing concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Several observational studies and clinical trials reported that vitamin D supplementation reduced the risk of influenza, whereas others did not. Evidence supporting the role of vitamin D in reducing risk of COVID-19 includes that the outbreak occurred in winter, a time when 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations are lowest; that the number of cases in the Southern Hemisphere near the end of summer are low; that vitamin D deficiency has been found to contribute to acute respiratory distress syndrome; and that case-fatality rates increase with age and with chronic disease comorbidity, both of which are associated with lower 25(OH)D concentration. To reduce the risk of infection, it is recommended that people at risk of influenza and/or COVID-19 consider taking 10,000 IU/d of vitamin Dfor a few weeks to rapidly raise 25(OH)D concentrations, followed by 5000 IU/d. The goal should be to raise 25(OH)D concentrations above 40-60 ng/mL (100-150 nmol/L). For treatment of people who become infected with COVID-19, higher vitamin Ddoses might be useful. Randomized controlled trials and large population studies should be conducted to evaluate these recommendations.

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PMID: 

Clin Chem. 2020 Apr 7. Epub 2020 Apr 7. PMID: 32255480

Abstract Title: 

25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Risk of Osteoporotic Fractures: Mendelian Randomization Analysis in 2 Large Population-Based Cohorts.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Whether low plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations cause osteoporotic fractures is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that low plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations are associated with increased risk of osteoporotic fractures using a Mendelian randomization analysis.METHODS: We genotyped 116 335 randomly chosen white Danish persons aged 20-100 years in 2 population-based cohort studies for plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D decreasing genotypes in CYP2R1 (rs117913124 and rs12794714), DHCR7 (rs7944926 and rs11234027), GEMIN2 (rs2277458), and HAL (rs3819817); 35 833 had information on plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D. We assessed risk of total, osteoporotic, and anatomically localized fractures from 1981 through 2017. Information on fractures and vital status was obtained from nationwide registries.RESULTS: During up to 36 years of follow-up, we observed 17 820 total fractures, 10 861 osteoporotic fractures, and 3472 fractures of hip or femur. Compared with individuals with 25-hydroxyvitamin D ≥ 50nmol/L, multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (95% CIs) for total fractures were 1.03 (0.97-1.09) for individuals with 25-49.9 nmol/L, 1.19 (1.10-1.28) for individuals with 12.5-24.9 nmol/L, and 1.39 (1.21-1.60) for individuals with 25-hydroxyvitamin D 

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PMID: 

Exp Ther Med. 2020 Apr ;19(4):2641-2649. Epub 2020 Feb 11. PMID: 32256745

Abstract Title: 

Effect of vitamin D supplementation on polycystic ovary syndrome: A meta-analysis.

Abstract: 

The aim of the present meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A literature search was performed to identify all of the relevant studies comparing the effect of vitamin D supplementation with placebo in PCOS patients, in the PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases. All statistical analyses were performed on case-control studies using Review Manager 5.3 software, provided by the Cochrane Collaboration. A total of 11 studies involving 483 participants were included in the current meta-analysis. Vitamin D supplementation appeared to lead to an improvement in the levels of total testosterone [weighted mean differences (WMD) = -0.10, 95% CI (-0.18, -0.02)], homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [WMD = -0.44, 95% CI (-0.86, -0.03)], homeostasis model assessment ofβ-cell function [WMD = -16.65, 95% CI (-19.49, -13.80)], total cholesterol [WMD = -11.90, 95% CI (-15.67, -8.13)] and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [WMD = -4.54; 95% CI (-7.29, -1.80)]. The results failed to show a positive effect of vitamin D supplementation on the body mass index, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, triglyceride levels or high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. In conclusion, the data from the available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggested vitamin D supplementation reduced insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism, as well improving the lipid metabolism of patients with PCOS to an extent. Further high-quality RCTs from a variety of regions in the world are required to determine the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in PCOS patients, and to determine a suitable dose and unit of vitamin D.

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