Effect of a Single Dose of Vitamin D3 on Postprandial Arterial Stiffness and Inflammation in Vitamin D-Deficient Women.

Abstract

Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) improves vascular function and inflammation, potentially providing an explanation for the proposed cardiovascular protection of vitamin D. We investigated whether cholecalciferol supplementation reduces postprandial arterial dysfunction and inflammation. Randomized, 1:1, double-blind trial. Diabetes and Vascular Center, Franciscus Gasthuis, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Twenty-four healthy, premenopausal, overweight or obese, vitamin D-deficient women. A single high (300,000 IU) or low dose (75,000 IU) of cholecalciferol. The effect of low- and high-dose cholecalciferol on postprandial leukocyte activation markers, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and augmentation index (AIx) during an oral fat loading test, expressed as area under the curve (AUC). High- and low-dose supplementation increased vitamin D by 163% ± 134% (P < 0.001) and 66% ± 59% (P < 0.001), respectively. Monocyte CD11b-AUC slightly increased after low but not high dose (6% ± 2%, P = 0.012, and 4% ± 1%, P = 0.339, respectively). There were no significant effects on postprandial PWV or AIx by high- or low-dose vitamin D. Fasting complement component 3 (C3) levels decreased by 5.9% (P = 0.004) in the high-dose group and by 4.0% (P = 0.018) in the low-dose group. A single dose of vitamin D does not seem to reduce arterial stiffness and leukocyte activation in overweight, vitamin D-deficient women. Vitamin D may decrease fasting C3. Possibly, higher vitamin D concentrations may be needed to decrease inflammation and improve vascular function in overweight or obese vitamin D-deficient women.