cholecalciferol and Hypercholesterolemia

To our knowledge, there is no study that has examined the effects of vitamin D supplementation on metabolic status in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).. This study was designed to assess the effects of vitamin D supplementation on metabolic profiles, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and biomarkers of oxidative stress in pregnant women with GDM.. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 54 women with GDM. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either vitamin D supplements or placebo. Individuals in the vitamin D group (n = 27) received capsules containing 50,000 IU vitamin D₃ 2 times during the study (at baseline and at day 21 of the intervention) and those in the placebo group (n = 27) received 2 placebos at the same times. Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and after 6 wk of the intervention to quantify relevant variables.. Cholecalciferol supplementation resulted in increased serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations compared with placebo (+18.5 ± 20.4 compared with +0.5 ± 6.1 ng/mL; P < 0.001). Furthermore, intake of vitamin D supplements led to a significant decrease in concentrations of fasting plasma glucose (-17.1 ± 14.8 compared with -0.9 ± 16.6 mg/dL; P < 0.001) and serum insulin (-3.08 ± 6.62 compared with +1.34 ± 6.51 μIU/mL; P = 0.01) and homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (-1.28 ± 1.41 compared with +0.34 ± 1.79; P < 0.001) and a significant increase in the Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (+0.03 ± 0.03 compared with -0.001 ± 0.02; P = 0.003) compared with placebo. A significant reduction in concentrations of total (-11.0 ± 23.5 compared with +9.5 ± 36.5 mg/dL; P = 0.01) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (-10.8 ± 22.4 compared with +10.4 ± 28.0 mg/dL; P = 0.003) cholesterol was also seen after vitamin D supplementation.. Vitamin D supplementation in pregnant women with GDM had beneficial effects on glycemia and total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations but did not affect inflammation and oxidative stress. This trial was registered at www.irct.ir as IRCT201305115623N7.

Topics: Adult; Biomarkers; C-Reactive Protein; Calcifediol; Cholecalciferol; Diabetes, Gestational; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Hypercholesterolemia; Hyperinsulinism; Insulin Resistance; Intention to Treat Analysis; Iran; Lost to Follow-Up; Oxidative Stress; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Vitamin D Deficiency

Previous studies have linked vitamin D deficiency to hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term effects of vitamin D₃ supplementation on weight and glucose and lipid metabolism in antipsychotic-treated patients. A total of 19 schizophrenic or schizoaffective patients (BMI>27 kg/m²) taking atypical antipsychotics were recruited and dispensed a 2000 IU daily dose of vitamin D₃. On comparing baseline with week 8 (study end) results, we found a statistically significant increase in vitamin D₃ and total vitamin D levels but no statistically significant changes in weight, glucose, or lipids measurements. Patients whose vitamin D₃ level at week 8 was 30 ng/ml or more achieved a significantly greater decrease in total cholesterol levels compared with those whose week 8 vitamin D₃ measurement was less than 30 ng/ml. These results suggest that a randomized trial with a longer follow-up period would be helpful in further evaluating the effects of vitamin D₃ on weight, lipid metabolism, and on components of metabolic syndrome in antipsychotic-treated patients.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Antipsychotic Agents; Body Mass Index; Cholecalciferol; Dietary Supplements; Female; Humans; Hypercholesterolemia; Male; Massachusetts; Metabolic Syndrome; Middle Aged; Overweight; Pilot Projects; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychotic Disorders; Risk Factors; Schizophrenia; Vitamin D Deficiency

In 2002 we proposed a new hypothesis of the etiology and pathogenesis of hypercholesterolemia. There is paucity of information in the literature regarding the association of steroidopenia and hypercholesterolemia. Our goal is to determine if the treatment of steroidopenia with hormonorestorative therapy (HT) to youthful levels will normalize total cholesterol (TC) levels.. We retrospectively analyzed 43 hypercholesterolemic patients treated with HT. Laboratory workup included lipid profile, serum pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), progesterone, total estrogen, cortisol, total testosterone, and vitamin D-3 levels at presentation with follow up ranging from 3 to 9 months. HT therapy included a combination of several agents such as pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), triestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, hydrocortisone, and vitamin D-3.. HT lowered mean TC from 228.8 mg/dL to 183.7 mg/dL (19.7%) (p<0.05) in all patients. In 12 men of mean age 58, HT statistically significantly lowered TC from 227.9 mg/dL to 177.1 mg/dL (22.3%) (p<0.05). Apparently it did so mostly by lowering LDL and triglycerides (TRG) while HDL did not appreciably change. In 31women, mean age 57, TC declined from 229.2 mg/dL to 186.3 mg/dL (19%) (p<0.05). HDL, LDL, and TRG are also decreased to a statistically significant degree. These results were associated with statistically significant elevations in pregnenolone, DHEA Sulfate, testosterone, progesterone but not total estrogen, cortisol or vitamin D-3 changes in both men and women.. We conclude that correction of steroidopenia with the use of hormonorestorative therapy is an effective strategy for normalizing and maintaining cholesterol homeostasis.

Topics: Cholecalciferol; Cholesterol, HDL; Cholesterol, LDL; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; Estrogens; Female; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Hormones; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Hypercholesterolemia; Hypogonadism; Lipase; Male; Middle Aged; Pregnenolone; Progesterone; Retrospective Studies; Testosterone

The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that arterial baroreflex dysfunction promotes the development of atherosclerosis. Experiment 1: the baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) was measured in 30 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats in conscious state with a computerized blood pressure monitoring system. Four weeks later, the rats were administered with Vitamin D3, and fed with the high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks to induce atherosclerosis. The hearts and aortae were removed for pathological examination. A negative correlation was found between BRS and the scores of coronary (r=-0.464, P<0.01) or aortic atherosclerosis (r=-0.524, P<0.01) in SD rats. Experiment 2: sinoaortic denervation (SAD) was performed in SD rats. Then atherosclerosis was also induced. The atherosclerosis scores in SAD rats were significantly higher than those in sham-operated rats (aortic score: 1.50+/-0.41 versus 1.10+/-0.39, P<0.05; coronary score: 1.70+/-0.35 versus 1.25+/-0.54, P<0.05). Using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting methods, it was found that the expressions of C-reactive protein, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular-cell adhesion molecule-1 in coronary artery and aorta were increased in SAD rats compared with sham-operated rats. These results indicate that arterial baroreflex dysfunction promotes the development of atherosclerosis in rats, and that inflammation may be involved in this process.

Topics: Animals; Aorta; Aortic Diseases; Atherosclerosis; Autonomic Denervation; Baroreflex; C-Reactive Protein; Carotid Arteries; Cholecalciferol; Diet, Atherogenic; Hypercholesterolemia; Hypertension; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; Male; Myocardium; Phenylephrine; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Reflex, Abnormal; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1

Authors by a new combined diet consisting of cholesterol vitamin D3 and sour cream produced clinico-biochemical changes characteristic for atherosclerosis in a very short period in rabbits. This diet caused severe lipoproteinaemia, hypercholesterinaemia and microscopis and macroscopic changes in the aortic wall. Authors assume, that this diet is suitable for producin atherosclerosis in a short period.

Topics: Animals; Arteriosclerosis; Cholecalciferol; Cholesterol; Diet, Atherogenic; Hypercholesterolemia; Hyperlipidemias; Rabbits