Vitamin D and its influence in circulating trace minerals among Arab adults with or without adequate vitamin D levels

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare and define the associations of circulating trace minerals with vitamin D among Arab adults with either vitamin D deficiency or optimum vitamin D levels. MethodsThis cross-sectional study involved 199 (101 males and 98 females) adult Saudi participants aged 47.7 ± 15.6 years divided into two groups [N = 120 with vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L), and N = 79 with adequate vitamin D (≥75 nmol/L). Anthropometrics was measured and biochemical parameters, such as glucose, lipid profile, trace elements (calcium, phosphate and magnesium) were measured using an automated biochemical analyzer. Serum copper, iron and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were measured using a colorimetric ferrozine-based assay. Serum 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D3 were measured using standardized immunoassays. ResultsThere is a significant difference in TIBC (p = 0.02) and transferrin saturation (p = 0.004) and no significant difference in copper and iron concentration between the two groups. High level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D in the vitamin D deficient group was found to be significantly associated with low levels of copper. in the vitamin D deficient group, 25-hydroxyvitamin D was inversely associated with serum glucose levels (R = −0.22, P = 0.046), and positively associated with age (r = 0.23, p = 0.03) and in the vitamin D sufficient group, 25-hydroxyvitamin D was positively associated with serum HDL cholesterol levels (R = 0.23, p = 0.02). The data showed that vitamin D deficient group had a higher prevalence of low HDL-cholesterol levels than the vitamin D sufficient group. (78.2% versus 66.1%, respectively; p = 0.04). ConclusionCirculating trace minerals are influenced by vitamin D status and are altered among individuals who are vitamin D deficient, reaffirming the need to correct vitamin D status to prevent other micronutrient imbalances in adults. Whether these associations are compensatory needs to be investigated prospectively.