Hypovitaminosis D has been associated with many cardio-metabolic disorders, such as type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome. Moreover, diabetic patients showed a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D, with reduced serum 25OHvitamin D (25OHD) levels potentially predictive of a greater risk of cardiovascular mortality although their pathogenetic link still remains unclear.
A 1-year study was conducted to evaluate whether vitamin D3 supplementation could improve glycemic control, lipid profile, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure levels and body composition.
The study was an open-label, randomized, controlled pilot study in 30 patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (aged 71.5±3.2 years, 21 men, 9 women, BMI 29.8±3.6 kg/m2) with HbA1c >59 mmol/mol and hypovitaminosis D (25OHD level 22±11.3 nmol/L). The patients were randomized to receive oral vitamin D3 supplementation of 500 IU/kg weekly or no vitamin D (as a control) for 1 year. In the study, changes in parameters of glucose, lipid and blood pressure control at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months vs. baseline were assessed.
The results showed that vitamin D3 supplementation for 1 year restored vitamin D status and had beneficial effects on fasting blood glucose levels, HbA1c, systolic blood pressure, and HDL cholesterol levels.
In the vitamin D3 group, there was a significant decrease in HBA1c, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, BMI, fat mass index (FMI), and fat mass ratio (FMR) after 1 year compared to baseline (p values for all comparisons vs baseline: <0.05). There was a relationship between 1-year mean percentage changes of serum 25OHD and SBP levels (R = − 0.36, p < 0.05).
From the results of the study, it was concluded that vitamin D3 supplementation for 1 year was able to restore vitamin D status, significantly improving fasting blood glucose levels, HbA1c, SBP, and HDL cholesterol levels in patients with poor-controlled type 2 diabetes and vitamin D deficiency.
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Reference: Barale M, Giaccherino RR, Ghigo E, Procopio M. Efect of 1 year oral cholecalciferol on a metabolic profle and blood pressure in poor controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus: an open label randomized controlled pilot study M. J Endocrinol Invest.2021;44(4):791-802.
