PMID: 

J Arrhythm. 2020 Apr ;36(2):371-376. Epub 2020 Feb 10. PMID: 32256891

Abstract Title: 

Is there any link between vitamin D deficiency and vasovagal syncope?

Abstract: 

Background: This study aimed to investigate serum 25[OH]D levels between patients with vasovagal syncope (VVS) diagnosed with head-up tilt table test (HUTT) and age-matched healthy people.Methods: The study included 75 consecutive patients (32.3 ± 10.7 years), who presented with syncope and underwent HUTT and 52 healthy controls (32.9 ± 14.1 years). HUTT patients were divided into two groups according to whether there was syncope response to the test. Patients underwent cardiac, psychiatric, and neurological investigation. Serum 25[OH]D levels were measured by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay method.Results: There was no difference between the two groups in terms of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), echocardiographic findings ( > .05). Mean serum 25[OH]D (24.5 ± 6.3 vs 20.1 ± 8.8 ng/mL, = .003) and vitamin B12 levels (436.4 ± 199.2 vs 363.1 ± 107.6 pg/mL, = .009) was lower in syncope patients when compared to the control group. In correlation analyses, syncope was shown as correlated with the vitamin D ( = -264, = .003) and vitamin B12 levels ( = -233, = .009). But, multivariate regression analyses showed that only vitamin D increased risk of syncope [OR: 0.946, 95% CI (0.901-0.994)]. There was no difference in terms of age, gender, BMI, echocardiographic findings between the in HUTT positive (n = 45) and negative groups (n = 29). Only vitamin D level was significantly lower in HUTT positive group (17.5 ± 7.7 vs 24.4 ± 9.1 ng/mL, = .002). There was no difference among in the vasovagal subgroups in terms of vitamin D level and other features.Conclusion: Vitamin D and B12 levels were reasonably low in syncope patients, but especially low Vitamin D levels were associated with VVS diagnosed in HUTT.

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PMID: 

Nutr Res Pract. 2020 Apr ;14(2):117-126. Epub 2019 Oct 4. PMID: 32256986

Abstract Title: 

Occurrence of infections in schoolchildren subsequent to supplementation with vitamin D-calcium or zinc: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D and zinc are recognized for their roles in immune-modulation, and their deficiencies are suggested to be important risk factors for childhood infections. This study, therefore, undertook to assess the occurrence of infections in rural Indian schoolchildren, subsequent to daily supplementation with vitamin D-calcium or zinc for 6 months.MATERIALS/METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in apparently healthy 6-12 year-old rural Indian children, recruited to 3 study arms: vitamin D arm (1,000 IU D3 – 500 mg calcium, n = 135), zinc arm (10 mg, n = 150) and placebo arm (n = 150). The infection status was assessed using a validated questionnaire, and the biochemical parameters of serum 25(OH)D and serum zinc were measured by ELISA and colorimetry, respectively. The primary outcome variable was occurrence of infections (upper respiratory and total infections).RESULTS: Serum 25(OH)D concentration in the vitamin D arm improved significantly by 34%, from 59.7± 10.9 nmol/L to 80 ± 23.3 nmol/L (

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PMID: 

Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2020 Feb 19. Epub 2020 Feb 19. PMID: 32073675

Abstract Title: 

The effect of vitamin D treatment on clinical and biochemical outcomes of primary aldosteronism.

Abstract: 

INTRODUCTION: Primary aldosteronism (PA) contributed to the cardiovascular disease and metabolic alterations independent of the blood pressure level. Evidence exists that aldosterone excess also affects calcium and mineral homeostasis. PA subjects have been shown to have greater prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. However, the impact of vitamin D treatment in this population has never been assessed.OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D treatment on clinical and biochemical outcomes of PA patients.METHODS: Two hundred forty hypertensive subjects were screened, 31 had positive ARR, and 17 patients with newly confirmed PA following positive confirmatory test that has not been subjected for definitive treatment were enrolled. Clinical parameter (blood pressure) and biochemical parameters (renal profile, plasma aldosterone concentration, plasma renin activity, serum calcium, vitamin D, intact parathyroid hormone, 24-hour urinary calcium) were measured at baseline and 3 months of treatment with Bio-D3 capsule. Primary outcomes were the changes in the blood pressure and biochemical parameters.RESULTS: About 70% of our PA subjects have low vitamin D levels at baseline. Three months following treatment, there were significant: (a) improvement in 25(OH)D levels; (b) reduction in systolic blood pressure and plasma aldosterone concentration; and (c) improvement in the eGFR. The vitamin D deficient subgroup has the greatest magnitude of the systolic blood pressure reduction following treatment.CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated significant proportion of PA patients has vitamin D insufficiency. Vitamin D treatment improves these interrelated parameters possibly suggesting interplay between vitamin D, aldosterone, renal function and the blood pressure.

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PMID: 

Dig Dis Sci. 2020 Mar 26. Epub 2020 Mar 26. PMID: 32219610

Abstract Title: 

Influence of Severe Vitamin D Deficiency on the Clinical Course of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown vitamin D status to be associated with disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but its influence on the clinical course of IBD has not been established.AIMS: We aimed to analyze whether the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D] status is associated with clinical characteristics and affects the risk of surgery in patients with IBD.METHODS: From the IBD registry of the Asan Medical Center, we identified all patients who had at least one 25(OH)D measurement; we then analyzed the association between clinical factors and 25(OH)D status. 25(OH)D was considered borderline deficient, deficient, and severely deficient at levels of

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PMID: 

Methods Mol Biol. 2020 ;2138:351-361. PMID: 32219762

Abstract Title: 

Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Muscle Strength, Muscle Function, and Body Composition in Vitamin D-Deficient Middle-Aged Women.

Abstract: 

Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle strength and muscle mass with aging and is one of the major risk factors for metabolic diseases. Cross-sectional studies have shown that vitamin D is associated with sarcopenia in both men and women. We investigated the effect of vitamin D supplementation over 12 weeks on muscle strength, muscle function, and body composition in middle-aged women in randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial format. This revealed a significant difference in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels between the intervention and placebo groups. In addition, handgrip strength was improved, and the timed get up and go (TGUG) test and body fat content were decreased. This chapter presents a protocol for trial setup involving measurement of vitamin D levels, handgrip strength, the TGUT test, and body composition as readouts.

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PMID: 

In Vivo. 2008 Mar-Apr;22(2):263-7. PMID: 18468413

Abstract Title: 

Control of interstitial pneumonia by drip infusion of megadose vitamin C, dehydroepiandrosterone and cortisol. A short review of our experience.

Abstract: 

Interstitial pneumonia can be controlled by the combined use of a prophylactic antibiotic system and the drip infusion system including megadose vitamin C, dehydroepiandrosterone (D) and cortisol (F), a fortified substitute of 3 adrenocortical elements. The response of patients was satisfying with few side-effects of F. It was shown that an excess of vitamin C improved the therapeutic efficacy of D-F complex, and that D and F improved the immunodeficient state of the host. The benefit of D as an adrenal androgen in immunology found another example in the combined use of cyclosporine A (CS) and glucocorticoid (G) in the kidney transplantation clinic: CS and G helps improve graft take by creating a state of androgen excess, as testified in both humans and mice–an alleviation of immune conflict.

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PMID: 

Pharmacol Ther. 2008 Jul ;119(1):96-103. Epub 2008 May 28. PMID: 18582947

Abstract Title: 

Inflammation in the vascular bed: importance of vitamin C.

Abstract: 

Despite decreases in atherosclerotic coronary vascular disease over the last several decades, atherosclerosis remains a major cause of mortality in developed nations. One possible contributor to this residual risk is oxidant stress, which is generated by the inflammatory response of atherosclerosis. Although there is a wealth of in vitro, cellular, and animal data supporting a protective role for antioxidant vitamins and nutrients in the atherosclerotic process, the best clinical trials have been negative. This may be due to the fact that antioxidant therapies are applied"too little and too late."This review considers the role of vitamin C, or ascorbic acid in preventing the earliest inflammatory changes in atherosclerosis. It focuses on the three major vascular cell types involved in atherosclerosis: endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and macrophages. Ascorbate chemistry, recycling, and function are described for these cell types, with emphasis on whether and how the vitamin might affect the inflammatory process. For endothelial cells, ascorbate helps to prevent endothelial dysfunction, stimulates type IV collagen synthesis, and enhances cell proliferation. For vascular smooth muscle cells, ascorbate inhibits dedifferentiation, recruitment, and proliferation in areas of vascular damage. For macrophages, ascorbate decreases oxidant stress related to their activation, decreases uptake and degradation of oxidized LDL in some studies, and enhances several aspects of their function. Although further studies of ascorbate function in these cell types and in novel animal models are needed, available evidence generally supports a salutary role for this vitamin in ameliorating the earliest stages of atherosclerosis.

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PMID: 

Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2020 Apr ;36:76-81. Epub 2020 Feb 22. PMID: 32220372

Abstract Title: 

Inflammatory biomarkers response to two dosages of vitamin D supplementation in patients with ulcerative colitis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to determine the effects of two dosages of vitamin D supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).
METHODS: Fifty mild to moderate active UC patients were randomly assigned to consume either 2000 or 1000 IU/day vitamin D for 12 weeks. Inflammatory biomarkers, disease activity, quality of life, anthropometric indices, dietary intakes, and physical activity were measured at the beginning and the end of the study.
RESULTS: Serum level of hs-CRP decreased in both groups at the end of study, but the changes were not significantly different within and between groups. Serum level of TNF-α in the high dose group was reduced at the end of the study non-significantly (P-value = 0.289). In the low dose group, a significant increase in serum TNF-α concentration was observed (p ≤ 0.001). The changes in serum TNF-α were significantly different between two groups (p = 0.005); however, after adjusting for the effect of confounders, the significance effect was disappeared (p = 0.162). Activity of NF-κB increased in both groups while this increase was significant in the low dose group compared to the baseline (p ≤ 0.001), and to high dose group (p = 0.006). After adjustment for confounders, the difference between groups remained statistically significant (p = 0.002).
CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that 12 weeks supplementation with 2000 IU/day vitamin D prevents from systematic inflammation, while decreasing disease activity in patients with mild to moderate active UC. Further studies are needed to find the optimum dosage and duration of supplementation. This Trial was registered at IRCT.ir with number of IRCT 20100524004010N22.

PMID: 

Front Pharmacol. 2020 ;11:161. Epub 2020 Mar 12. PMID: 32226379

Abstract Title: 

Calcitriol Prevents Neuroinflammation and Reduces Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption and Local Macrophage/Microglia Activation.

Abstract: 

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that involves damage to the myelin sheath surrounding axons. MS therapy is based on immunomodulatory drugs that reduce disease recurrence and severity. Vitamin D is a hormone whose immunomodulatory ability has been widely demonstrated, including in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), which is an animal model of CNS inflammation. In this study, we evaluated the potential of very early intervention with the active form of vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) to control neuroinflammation during EAE development. EAE was induced in C57BL/6J mice and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 administration began 1 day after disease induction. This procedure decreased prevalence, clinical score, inflammation, and demyelination. It also reduced MHCII expression in macrophages and microglia as well as the level of oxidative stress and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression for,,at the CNS. Otherwise, mRNA expression forincreased at the lumbar spinal cord. These effects were accompanied by the stabilization of blood-spinal cord barrier permeability. The results of this study indicate that early intervention with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 can control the neuroinflammatory process that is the hallmark of EAE and MS immunopathogenesis and should thus be explored as an adjunct therapy for MS patients.

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PMID: 

Annu Rev Nutr. 2013 ;33:23-44. Epub 2013 Apr 29. PMID: 23642201

Abstract Title: 

Extrarenal vitamin D activation and interactions between vitamin D₂, vitamin D₃, and vitamin D analogs.

Abstract: 

Our understanding of the mechanism of action of vitamin D has been broadened by the discovery of the extrarenal 1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) in various vitamin D target tissues around the body and the implications of this for the putative paracrine actions of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃. This review updates our current knowledge of the cytochrome P450-mediated steps of vitamin D activation (CYP2R1, CYP27B1) andinactivation (CYP24A1, CYP3A4) and the newest physiological roles of vitamin D. The review goes on to examine how well exogenously supplied vitamin D compounds, whether dietary vitamin D₂ supplements or prescribed vitamin D analogs, substitute for their natural counterparts; how in some cases vitamin D can be used in conjunction with vitamin D analogs; and the overall impact of these supplements and drugs on the components of the vitamin D signal transduction machinery.

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