High vitamin D and calcium intakes decrease diet‐induced obesity

Abstract

Modulation of apoptosis is emerging as a promising anti‐obesity strategy because removal of adipocytes through this process will result in reducing body fat. Effects of vitamin D on apoptosis are mediated via multiple signaling pathways that involve common regulators and effectors converging on cellular Ca2+ (Sergeev, 2005, 2009, 2012). We have previously shown that 1,25(OH)2D3 induces Ca2+signal associated with activation of Ca2+‐dependent apoptotic proteases in mature adipocytes. In this study, a mouse diet‐induced obesity (DIO) model was used to evaluate the role of vitamin D and calcium in adiposity. DIO mice fed high D3, high Ca, and especially high D3 plus high Ca diets demonstrated a decreased body and fat weight gain, improved markers of adiposity and vitamin D status (plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, adiponectin, 25(OH)D, 1,25(OH)2D, PTH), but an increased plasma Ca2+. High D3 and Ca intakes were associated with activation of Ca2+‐dependent apoptotic proteases, calpain and caspase‐12, in adipose tissue of DIO mice. The results imply that high vitamin D and Ca intakes activate Ca2+‐mediated apoptotic pathway in adipose tissue. Targeting this pathway with vitamin D and Ca supplementation can represent an effective and affordable approach to prevention and treatment of obesity. However, this approach needs to be evaluated from a safety point of view. Supported by USDA 2009 35200 05008 and SD H325.