Effect of vitamin D supplementation on klotho protein, antioxidant status and nitric oxide in the elderly: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Abstract

IntroductionVitamin D has anti-aging/wellness properties because of its ability to induce klotho, a bona fide anti-senescence protein, and suggesting that optimum levels of vitamin D directly affect anti-aging. Plasma klotho and vitamin D both decrease with age. Higher levels of klotho are associated with lower mortality through lowering the risk of chronic disease, so vitamin D supplementation might have favorable effects on the amount of klotho, longevity and could promote healthy aging. This study was conducted to examine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on plasma klotho, antioxidant status and nitric oxide in the elderly. MethodsIn this double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial, 90 participants aged over 60 years, with vitamin D deficiency, were randomly assigned either to a vitamin D 50,000 IU/week provided as cholecalciferol weekly, for 12 weeks or to a placebo. ResultsAfter 12 weeks, mean plasma 25(OH) D,TAC, CAT and NO concentrations significantly increased in the vitamin D group (P < 0.001,P < 0.001,P < 0.001& P = 0.03 respectively) but mean plasma klotho and SOD concentration increased non significantly (P = 0.164 and P = 0.397, respectively). Changes in plasma klotho, TAC and vitamin D were statistically significant different (P < 0.001, P < 0.001 & P < 0.001 respectively) but CAT and NO had no significant change (P = 0.142& P = 0.202, respectively) between the two groups at the end of the study. ConclusionThe findings revealed that the intake of 25OHD increased the plasma TAC, CAT, NO and 25OHD and prevented the reduction in plasma klotho so it may provide a potentially beneficial role in healthy aging and the elderly.