Increased Serum Vitamin Research Articles

Increased Serum Vitamin D and Decreased Serum Cholesterol Are Associated with Development of Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Actinic Keratosis Patients: A Retrospective Machine-Learning Analysis of the All of Us Database

Increased Serum Vitamin D and Decreased Serum Cholesterol Are Associated with Development of Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Actinic Keratosis Patients: A Retrospective Machine-Learning Analysis of the All of Us Database

Increase of serum vitamin D levels in the COVID-19 pandemic: Report of a Mexican reference clinical laboratory

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic prompted health professionals to look for prevention and treatment options to improve outcomes. Vitamin D3 (VitD) is a sun dependent, immunomodulatory hormone that was widely used approaching COVID-19 because of previous experience with other RTIs. Its use was recommended in clinical practice guidelines and mainstream media, motivating supplement consumption. This increased the demand for serum VitD determinations, as well as the progressive increase of serum VitD levels. ObjectiveStudy the change in mean VitD serum levels in the population of one reference clinical laboratory before and during pandemic years. MethodsWe analyzed 65,481 results (78% female, mean age of 53.47 (M = 55, IQR = 25)). ResultsThe median Vitamin D level was higher in all seasons in the pandemic years compared to previous years: spring 24 ng/dL (IQR 13.7) vs 25.4 ng/dL (IQR 17), summer 23.5 ng/dL (IQR 13.4) vs 24.2 ng/dL (IQR 16.3), autumn 23.7 ng/dL (IQR 14.3) vs 27 ng/dL (IQR 18.7), winter 22.4 ng/dL (IQR 14.9) vs 23.4 ng/dL (IQR 17.8). ConclusionsThe increase in serum VitD during the pandemic years is probably due to the recommendations of its use in guidelines of clinical practice. Although up to date the CDC and NIH have deemed there is not enough information in favor or against VitD use, epidemiology studies should be done to observe the impact of widespread VitD use in COVID-19 and other illnesses.

Features of the state of bone tissue in children with cerebral palsy. Part 1. Etiological aspects. A literature review

BACKGROUND: The growth of the human body is the most significant period of development of the bone tissue, because it is during this period that the size, shape, and architectonics of bone are formed against the background of increasing body weight and increasing physical exertion. Considering a number of pathological factors of the underlying disease (alimentary, neurological, hormonal, stress, and physical), bone tissue in children with cerebral palsy grows and develops with deviations from the norm. АIM: To present up-to-date generalized information about the features of bone tissue in children with cerebral palsy to orthopedic traumatologists, neurologists, and physical therapy specialists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Studies on the problem of bone tissue condition in patients with cerebral palsy were analyzed. Data published over the past 20 years were searched in the scientific databases PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Crossref, and eLibrary without language restrictions. RESULTS: In the last 20 years, the number of studies about pediatric osteoporosis has increased. The gold standard for determining the level of bone mineral density is dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. However, its use in children has presented some difficulties and limitations. In children, the relationship between bone mineral density values and the risk of fractures has not been well studied, which does not allow us to discuss about osteoporosis based on densitometric bone mineral density data alone. In patients with cerebral palsy, a decrease in bone mineral density and bone mass during growth was found. Previous studies showed that the main factors associated with a decrease in bone mineral density in this group of patients include neuroendocrine causes due to growth retardation against the background of CNS damage, alimentary factors, decreased calcium and vitamin D concentrations, systemic use of glucocorticoids, intake of antiepileptic drugs, decreased motor activity, and low muscle mass. Increasing serum vitamin D concentrations does not have a positive effect on bone mass, although increasing serum calcium concentrations is associated with an increase in bone mineral density. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying and correcting factors leading to decreased bone mineral density in children with cerebral palsy can improve bone health in this group of patients. The absence of a relationship between bone mineral density values and the risk of fractures in children with cerebral palsy does not allow us to discuss about osteoporosis based only on bone mineral density densitometric data. There may be more factors leading to an increased risk of bone fractures in children with cerebral palsy that require further study.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients Scheduled to Undergo Revision Arthroplasty of the Hip, Knee and Shoulder-Data from a Single-Centre Analysis.

Vitamin D is crucial for ideal bone health and good muscle function, both essential requirements for successful joint arthroplasty. Hence, vitamin D deficiency has recently been identified as a predictor of poorer outcomes in patients scheduled to undergo total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Moreover, there is ample evidence today that vitamin D deficiency is associated with periprosthetic joint infection. Yet, vitamin D deficiency seems to be frequent in patients who are scheduled to undergo TJA. However, the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in patients who require revision arthroplasty (rTJA) is largely unknown. Further, risk factors of vitamin D deficiency in these patients remain to be elucidated. For this reason, the primary objective of this study was to assess the vitamin D status of patients scheduled to undergo rTJA of the hip, knee and shoulder. The secondary objective was to identify potential risk factors for hypovitaminosis D in these patients. Serum vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels of 249 patients who were scheduled for rTJA were assessed over a period of twelve months at a high-volume TJA centre. Collectively, 23% of patients reported a routine intake of vitamin D supplements (58/249). Notably, 81% of patients (155/191) who did not report a routine vitamin D intake presented with insufficient vitamin D levels (below 30 ng/mL), while only 19% of patients (36/191) had sufficient vitamin D levels. Of those who reported a routine vitamin D intake, 75% (43/58) had sufficient vitamin D levels, while 25% (15/58) showed insufficient vitamin D status. Patients who did not routinely take any vitamin D supplements had significantly lower vitamin D levels compared to patients who reported regular vitamin D intake (19.91 ng/mL vs. 40.66 ng/mL). Further, BMI and nicotine abuse were identified as potential risk factors for hypovitaminosis D in patients without vitamin D supplementation. Moreover, the season of spring seems to be a risk factor in patients with vitamin D supplementation, while age itself did not appear to be a significant risk factor for low vitamin D levels. In conclusion, we found an alarmingly high rate of vitamin D deficiency in patients scheduled to undergo rTJA. Notably, reported routine vitamin D supplementation showed significantly increased serum vitamin D levels compared to patients with no reported supplementation. Due to the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, we believe that vitamin D status should routinely be assessed in patients who are scheduled to undergo rTJA.

The effect of vitamin D supplementation on increasing CD4 levels in human immunodeficiency virus

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus infection that attacks the immune system. According to world data in 2016, the number of HIV-infected patients reached 36.7 million, and 10 million people died due to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Patients with HIV infection are susceptible to decreased levels of vitamin D (25(OH)D) by proinflammatory cytokines or as a result of the use of antiretroviral drugs. Vitamin D plays an important role in immune system, including reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing the production of cathelicidin that inhibit viral replication. Oral vitamin D supplementation is an effort that can be made to increase vitamin D. To date, the relationship between vitamin D sufficiency and CD4 T cell count remains unclear, although most studies have shown a positive association. This study wanted to determine the effect of oral vitamin D supplementation on increasing CD4 levels in patients with HIV infection. Methods: Literature search was carried out by advanced searching on Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and Science Direct using eligibility criteria determined by the authors. Result: One systematic review and three randomized controlled trials (RCT) met the PICO and eligibility criteria that had been set. Three studies concluded that vitamin D supplementation can increase CD4 levels. One study shows that vitamin D supplementation dose of 5,000 IU daily could not increase CD4 levels. Conclusion: Providing vitamin D supplementation at appropriate dose can increase serum vitamin D levels so that it can increase CD4 levels.

Micronutrients and Allergic Diseases: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Introduction: Previous studies have indicated a controversy regarding the association between dietary micronutrient concentrations and the risk of allergic diseases. In this study, we employed Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using data from two samples to investigate the causal relationship between circulating micronutrient concentrations and three allergic diseases. Methods: In this study, we considered 16 circulating micronutrients as exposure variables (beta carotene, calcium, copper, folate, iron, lycopene, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, vitamin A1, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and zinc); and three common allergic diseases (allergic asthma [AA], atopic dermatitis [AD], and allergic rhinitis [AR]) as outcomes. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was primarily applied for MR analysis, supplemented by MR-Egger and weighted-median methods to corroborate the IVW results; and sensitivity analysis was conducted to ensure the robustness of the MR assumptions. Results: Our results revealed that an increase in serum phosphorus and zinc concentrations may diminish the risk of AA, while for AD an increase in serum zinc concentration may reduce the risk, but an increase in serum vitamin C concentration may elevate the risk. As for AR, an increase in serum phosphorus and selenium concentrations appeared to be associated with a reduced risk. We did not find evidence for an association between other micronutrients and the risk of allergic diseases. Conclusion: Our study indicates that an increase in serum phosphorus and zinc concentrations may reduce the risk of AA, while an increase in serum zinc concentration may reduce the risk of AD, but an increase in serum vitamin C concentration may elevate the risk of AD. An increase in serum phosphorus and selenium concentrations is associated with a reduced risk of AR. This provides additional support for research on the effects of micronutrients on allergic diseases.

Associations Between Serum Vitamin A Levels in Early Pregnancy and the Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

The relationship between vitamin A levels and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is not well understood, and prospective studies are lacking. This was a prospective, longitudinal study. A total of 391 women in early pregnancy were recruited between October and December 2018 at Shunyi District Maternal and Child Health Hospital (Beijing, China). Serum vitamin A concentration was measured at enrollment. GDM was diagnosed on the basis of a 75 g oral glucose-tolerance test at 24-28 weeks of follow-up. Logistic regression was used for the analysis. None of the subjects in the cohort had vitamin A deficiency or excess. At the follow-up, 76 participants had developed GDM. Participants who developed GDM were older and had higher body mass index, fasting insulin, HbA1c, fasting glucose, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-sensitivity CRP levels, as well as higher serum vitamin A levels at baseline. On logistic multivariate analysis, higher vitamin A was positively associated with higher risk of GDM. The adjusted OR was 2.85 (95% CI 1.04-7.80, P=0.042) for Q4 versus Q1 and 1.59 (95% CI 1.11-2.28, P=0.011) for every 1 SD increase in serum vitamin A levels. In participants within the vitamin A reference range (0.33-0.78 mg/L), the positive association also maintained significance. Higher serum vitamin A levels were associated with higher GDM risks, even within the reference range. The results and possible mechanisms need to be further verified and clarified.

Administration of vitamin D3 topical in increasing serum vitamin D level: A literature review

Background: Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble vitamin that is required daily by the body. Deficiency in vitamin D is experienced by most of the world's population. Vitamin D plays a role in maintaining the skin barrier by regulating keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, promoting filaggrin formation, and intraepidermal lipids. Discussion: The vital role of vitamin D, non-compliance with supplement consumption, and poor nutritional status of adult patients and the elderly with deficiency and insufficiency of vitamin D encourage studies regarding vitamin D delivery via the transdermal route. The lipophilicity of vitamin D allows it to penetrate through the skin barrier. Conclusion: Research indicates that topical application of vitamin D3 is not only safe but also effective in increasing serum vitamin D levels. Thus, topical delivery is a promising alternative method for providing vitamin D supplementation or as a therapeutic option for specific conditions that leads to improved skin hydration and serum vitamin D levels.

Therapeutic effect of vitamin D supplementation in mexican patients with allergic rhinitis

To evaluate the impact of cholecalciferol (D₃) supplementation using clinical and paraclinical variables in patients with RA and vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included patients from 5 to 40 years with a diagnosis of RA and vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency. They were supplemented for 8 weeks with 4000 or 5000 IU, depending on age. Total nasal symptoms score (TNSS) was measured monthly and 25(OH)D₃ levels at baseline and at the end of the study. A total of 31 patients were included, with a mean age of 18.19 years. In the active group, there was a significant improvement in symptomatology with respect to the TNSS score and an increase in serum vitamin D levels (p < 0.01). There were no adverse reactions with cholecalciferol or placebo. Supplementing patients with vitamin D₃, at the evaluated dose, together with conventional treatent for allergic rhinitis results in symptoms and quality of life improvement in patients with this disease.

Efecto de la suplementación con vitamina D en pacientes mexicanos con rinitis alérgica

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of cholecalciferol (D3) supplementation using clinical and paraclinical variables in patients with RA and vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included patients from 5 to 40 years with a diagnosis of RA and vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency. They were supplemented for 8 weeks with 4000 or 5000 IU, depending on age. Total nasal symptoms score (TNSS) was measured monthly and 25(OH)D3 levels at baseline and at the end of the study. Results: A total of 31 patients were included, with a mean age of 18.19 years. In the active group, there was a significant improvement in symptomatology with respect to the TNSS score and an increase in serum vitamin D levels (p &lt; 0.01). There were no adverse reactions with cholecalciferol or placebo. Conclusions: Supplementing patients with vitamin D3, at the evaluated dose, together with conventional treatment for allergic rhinitis results in symptoms and quality of life improvement in patients with this disease. Keywords: Allergic rhinitis, Vitamin D, Placebo, Cholecalciferol, Supplementation.

Efficiency of 7-dehydrocholesterol vitamin-D3 complex cream for xerosis and pruritus in elderly women

Background: Xerosis and pruritus (XP) are the most common skin conditions in the elderly, manifesting clinically as roughness, scales, fissures, and mild-to-severe itching. Vitamin D improves skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and regulates the immune system. We aimed to determine the efficiency of topical 7-dehydrocholesterol (DHC)-vitamin D3 complex cream in elderly patients with XP. Methods: An experimental phase III study was performed on elderly women with XP from December 2021 to March 2022 at the Geriatric Dermatology Clinic of Dr. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital, Palembang. Inclusion criteria were age older than 55 years, healthy or with comorbidity. The exclusion criteria include the use of moisturizer within two weeks before the study. DHC-vitamin D3 cream was applied on subject’s volar arms once a day. Overall dry skin score (ODSS), visual analog scale (VAS) for pruritus and adverse effects, skin hydration, TEWL, sebum level, serum vitamin D level, and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) were assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks. Statistical analysis was done with Wilcoxon and paired T-test. Results:Eighteen elderly women were included. Most subjects were 60 to 74 years old (83,3%). Half the subjects (50%) had comorbidity. There was a significant difference in skin hydration (p Conclusion: Topical 7-DHC vitamin D3 complex cream is proven to improve skin barriers, increase serum vitamin D levels, well-tolerated, and provided satisfaction and comfort in elderly women with XP.

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Is Associated With Prediabetes, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and Insulin Resistance in Children: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-analysis of Epidemiologic Studies.

Although several investigations have been conducted on the association between serum vitamin D levels and prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in children and adolescents, their findings are inconsistent. We conducted a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis to summarize this subject. The electronic databases of ISI Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and motor engineering of Google Scholar were comprehensively searched up to May 2023. Epidemiologic studies that investigated the risk of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in relation to serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in children and adolescents were included. Twenty-two investigations, with a total of 38 622 participants, were systematically reviewed. Meta-analysis of 15 studies (n = 32 720 participants) showed that participants with the highest serum vitamin D levels had 42% lower risk of hyperglycemia, compared with those in the lowest category of serum vitamin D levels (relative risk [RR] = 0.58; 95%CI, 0.48, 0.71). Moreover, pooling 8 studies (n = 10 465 participants) illustrated that highest serum vitamin D level was associated with a 44% lower risk of insulin resistance compared with the lowest serum vitamin D level (RR = 0.56; 95%CI, 0.37, 0.83). Based on linear dose-response analysis, each 10 nmol/L increment in serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D was associated with a 6% decreased risk of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in children. Furthermore, nonlinear dose-response analysis revealed that increasing serum vitamin D concentration from 40 nmol/L to sufficient values (>50 nmol/L) was associated with a decreasing trend in risk of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. This meta-analysis revealed inverse associations between serum vitamin D levels and hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in children and adolescents, in a dose-response manner. Increasing serum vitamin D concentration from 40 nmol/L to sufficient values (>50 nmol/L) was associated with a decreasing trend in hyperglycemia and insulin resistance risk. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42023458155.

Effect of Interaction Between Vitamin D and Serum Uric Acid on Hypertension in Adults

Abstract OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the interaction between serum vitamin D and serum uric acid has an effect on blood pressure. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted with 7,951 subjects selected from the health management center of the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University during 1 January 2020 and 30 September 2022. The dose–response relationship between serum vitamin D, blood uric acid, and blood pressure was analyzed using restricted cubic spline. The relationship between each variable and elevated blood pressure was analyzed using multifactorial analysis in a generalized additive model and combined with a multiplicative–additive hierarchical interaction model to explore the effects of the interaction of serum vitamin D and blood uric acid on elevated blood pressure. RESULTS The mean age of the study population was (42.61 ± 11.17) years and the detection rate of hypertension was 12.14% (965/7,951). The risk of elevated blood pressure (high-normal blood pressure + hypertension) decreased with increasing serum vitamin D concentration, but the risk of elevated blood pressure increased with increasing serum uric acid levels. Compared with those with adequate serum vitamin D and normal blood uric acid, the odds ratio (OR) for the risk of high-normal blood pressure was 1.54 [95% confidence interval, CI (1.22, 1.94), P &amp;lt; 0.001] and the OR for the risk of hypertension was 3.17 [95% CI (2.13, 4.72), P &amp;lt; 0.001] for those with inadequate serum vitamin D and high blood uric acid. The risk of elevated blood pressure was highest when serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was less than 25 nmol/l and blood uric acid was higher than 600 µmol/l. CONCLUSIONS The interaction between serum vitamin D and blood uric acid has an effect on elevated blood pressure. The risk of hypertension was maximized when serum vitamin D was insufficient and blood uric acid was high.

Serum vitamin D concentrations in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are more affected by UVB irradiation of food than irradiation of animals

Rabbits kept under ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiation respond with increasing serum vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations, but it is unknown whether irradiation of the animals or their feed contributes more. Twenty-four New Zealand White rabbits were divided into three groups for a four-week period: the control group (C) received no UVB-exposure and non-irradiated hay (ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) concentration 2.22 µg/100 g dry matter). The direct exposure group (D) was provided with 12 h of UVB-irradiation daily and fed the same hay as group C in shaded areas to prevent UVB-irradiation thereof. The indirect exposure group (I) did not receive direct UVB-irradiation but was fed hay of the same batch that was exposed to 12 h of UVB-irradiation (vitamin D2 6.06 µg/100 g dry matter). Serum 25(OH)D2, 25(OH)D3, ionised calcium, total calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium concentrations were measured weekly. There was no systematic effect on serum mineral concentrations. The serum 25(OH)D2 concentrations were significantly higher in group I compared to groups C and D from the second week onwards. 25(OH)D3 concentrations increased only in group D, with significant differences to both other groups from the third week onwards, yet at lower magnitudes than the noted increase of 25(OH)D2 in group I. Total 25(OH)D concentrations were highest in group I, intermediate in group D and lowest in group C. Serum total 25(OH)D concentration was more affected by UVB-irradiation of rabbits’ feed than by direct irradiation of the animals themselves. If rabbit serum total 25(OH)D concentrations should be managed, diet manipulation rather than animal UVB-exposure appears to be more effective.

Supplementation of Amra Beej Majja Churna in Vitamin B12 Deficiency - A Case Study

B12 is an important vitamin needed by red blood cells for maturation and DNA synthesis of myelin- producing oligodendrocytes. It remarkably supports the regeneration of nerves after injury. B12 is also involved in Hcy metabolism, transmethylation processes, fatty acid and nucleic acid synthesis, energy production etc. The symptoms of its deficiency range from glossitis to severe demyelination of nervous tissue. Indian population, with largely vegetarian food habit, is prone to harbor Vitamin B12 deficiency. There’s a general belief that vegan diet is devoid of Vitamin B12 but a few recent researches have shown that the Amra Beej Majja can act as a cost effective food supplement not just for calcium, vitamin A and C but also for Vitamin B12. So, there’s a felt need to evaluate therapeutically, the acclaimed role of Amra Beej Majja Churna as a supplement in people with Vitamin B12 deficiency. This paper presents a clinical study on the administration of Amra Beej Majja Churna in a patient with vegan dietary habits having Vitamin B12 deficiency which was clinically verified with low serum levels of the same. She presented with symptoms like hair loss, fatigue, tingling sensation in lower limbs and pain in calf muscles. The study was conducted for 2 months after which blood tests revealed increased serum Vitamin B12 levels from 189pg/ml to 217pg/ml along with significant symptomatic relief especially in tingling sensation and hair loss.

Enhancing Endothelial Function with Nutrient-Enriched Table Hen Eggs: A Randomized Study in Patients Recovering from Acute Coronary Syndrome.

This study investigated the effect of consumption of table eggs enriched with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), lutein, vitamin E and selenium on microvascular function, oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators in patients after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In a prospective, randomized, interventional, double-blind clinical trial, ACS patients were assigned to either the Nutri4 (N=15, mean age: 57.2±9.2 years), or the Control group (N=13; mean age 56.8±9.6 years). The Nutri4 group consumed three enriched hen eggs daily for three weeks, providing approximately 1.785 mg of vitamin E, 0.330 mg of lutein, 0.054 mg of selenium and 438 mg of n-3 PUFAs. Biochemical parameters, including serum lipids, liver enzymes, nutrient concentrations, serum antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD)), and markers of oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and ferric reducing ability (FRAP)), were assessed before and after the dietary interventions. Additionally, arterial blood pressure, heart rate, body composition, fluid status, anthropometric measurements, and skin microvascular blood flow responses to various stimuli (postocclusive reactive hyperemia (PORH), acetylcholine- (AchID), and sodium nitroprusside- (SNPID)) were measured using laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) throughout the study. The intake of Nutri4 eggs led to a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol levels, while the levels of total cholesterol remained within the established reference values. Consuming Nutri4 eggs resulted in a 12.7% increase in serum vitamin E levels, an 8.6% increase in selenium levels, and demonstrated a favorable impact on microvascular reactivity, as evidenced by markedly improved PORH and ACh ID. Nutri4 eggs exerted a significant influence on the activity of GPx and SOD, with no observed changes in TBARS or FRAP values. The consumption of Nutri4 eggs positively influenced microvascular function in individuals with ACS, without eliciting adverse effects on oxidative stress.

The association between serum vitamin D levels and abnormal lipid profile in pediatrics: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies.

Several studies have investigated the relationship between serum vitamin D and dyslipidemia in children and adolescents, but the findings have been contradictory. The current systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis investigated the serum vitamin D - dyslipidemia relationship in children and adolescents. ISI Web of Science, Scopus, MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE databases, and Google Scholar, were searched up to December 2022. Observational studies that investigated the odds of dyslipidemia in categories of serum vitamin D levels in children were included, and their data were extracted. Pooling of 17 effect sizes from 15 studies (39 342 participants) showed that subjects with higher serum vitamin D had 27% lower odds of hypertriglyceridemia (odds ratio [OR] = 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60, 0.88). A meta-analysis of 18 effect sizes from 16 studies (39 718 participants) illustrated that highest vs lowest serum vitamin D was related to 22% lower odds of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (OR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.91). Also, a nonlinear association between serum vitamin D and odds of abnormal lipid profile was found: elevating values of 25-hydroxyvitamin D from 35 nmol/L to 55 nmol/L was associated with a decreasing trend in odds of hypertriglyceridemia, hyper low-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypo HDL-cholesterolemia. However, no significant linear association was observed. Based on the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE), the certainty of all evidence was rated as high. This meta-analysis revealed that the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was inversely related to odds of abnormal serum triglycerides and HDL-c in children and adolescents. Increasing serum vitamin D from 35 nmol/L to 55 nmol/L was associated with a decreasing trend in the odds of abnormal serum triglycerides, HDL-c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol in children. PROSPERO registration no. 42023400787.

Potential role of Vitamin D in immune response in patients with viral hepatitis

To study the relationship of Vitamin D with innate and adaptive immune response parameters in chronic hepatitis B and C patients. The laboratory data between January 1, 2013 and February 1, 2023, for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) were extracted. Serum 25-hydroxyl vitamin D, hepatitis B virus serological markers, complements, and subsets of T lymphocytes were determined. Study cohorts were divided into groups based on serum 25-hydroxyl vitamin D levels with further evaluation of laboratory data. In CHB and CHC patients the percentage of CD4+ T lymphocytes and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio significantly decreased (P < 0.05), but the percentage of CD8+ increased (P < 0.05) compared to the control group. In CHB patients Vitamin D decrease was significant (P < 0.001) but not in CHC patients. Vitamin D showed a moderate negative influence on the CD8 cell count in CHB patients. The positive ratio of HBV DNA and HBsAg decreased with increasing serum vitamin D levels. The vitamin D deficient group showed significantly lower antibody production compared to the normal group, and exhibited significantly decreased CD4 numbers and increased CD8 numbers (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively), while the CD4/CD8 ratio was also significantly decreased in the insufficiency group (P < 0.001). Complement C3 levels were not associated with CD4 and CD8, but had an inverse relation with Vitamin D. Vitamin D levels were significantly associated with complement C3, CD8+, CD4+, CD19+ cells, and HBV DNA levels. Vitamin D may be a modulator of immune function not only via CD8+ and CD4+ cells but also via CD19+ cells in the course of chronic HBV infection. The negative relationship between vitamin D and complement C3 needs elucidation. Moreover, the increased proportion of B cells and decreased CD4+ cells in Vitamin D deficiency disrupt the immune response against HBV since the expected antibody response was not obtained despite the increase in B cell ratio. This indicates an influence of CD4+ cells for B cell functionality. In summary, sufficient levels of Vitamin D may lead to a sustained virological response that is debatable by artificially correcting the deficiency.

Effects of ultraviolet light supplementation on hen behaviour and welfare during early lay

Poultry can see in the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum and supplementation of UVA has been shown to reduce laying hens’ fear and stress. The shorter wavelengths (UVB) also facilitate vitamin D3 production. However, UV spectrums are typically not included in indoor commercial poultry lighting which may result in less than optimum welfare of laying hens. This study predicted that UVA and UVA/B supplementation would increase desirable behaviours such as foraging and exploratory pecking and reduce measures of fear and stress. The effects of UV light supplementation were assessed on 252 ISA Brown hens during the period from 16 to 27 weeks of age. Birds were housed in eighteen pens (14 hens/pen) under three different light treatment groups each with six replications: (i) UV0: standard control lighting with LED white light, (ii) UVA: control lighting plus a supplemental ‘daylight’ avian bulb providing UVA, and (iii) UVA/B: control lighting plus a supplemental full spectrum reptile bulb containing both UVA and UVB wavelengths. Behavioural time budgets were assessed in the home pens at 18 and 24 weeks. At 20, 23, and 26 weeks, assessments included: individual behavioural tests of tonic immobility and open field, pen-level novel object tests and blood heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratios. At 27 weeks the UV supplemental lights were turned off for 3 days as a ‘stressor’ with bird locations in the pen measured before and during the stressor, along with H/L ratio and attention bias test assessments. Results showed limited effects of the supplemental lights. At 26 weeks both UV light treatments reduced tonic immobility duration (P = 0.006) and vocalisations across time in the open field test (P = 0.0003), while the UVA/B hens had lower H/L ratios than the UV0 hens (P = 0.01). However, removing the treatment lights did not result in greater stress and anxiety and there were few differences observed in the home pen time budgets. Overall, these results align with complementary findings in the same birds showing minimal impact of the UV treatments on measures of egg production, egg quality, bone health, and circulating plasma P and Ca but with an increase in serum vitamin D (25(OH)D3) for the UVA/B hens. The supplemental UV lights in this study were only on one side of the pens which could have minimised their impacts. Similarly, effects may vary at different points in the production cycle than included in this study.

The protective effect of vitamin D supplementation as adjunctive therapy to antidepressants on brain structural and functional connectivity of patients with major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial.

Growing evidence points to the pivotal role of vitamin D in the pathophysiology and treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, there is a paucity of longitudinal research investigating the effects of vitamin D supplementation on the brain of MDD patients. We conducted a double-blind randomized controlled trial in 46 MDD patients, who were randomly allocated into either VD (antidepressant medication + vitamin D supplementation) or NVD (antidepressant medication + placebos) groups. Data from diffusion tensor imaging, resting-state functional MRI, serum vitamin D concentration, and clinical symptoms were obtained at baseline and after an average of 7 months of intervention. Both VD and NVD groups showed significant improvement in depression and anxiety symptoms but with no significant differences between the two groups. However, a greater increase in serum vitamin D concentration was found to be associated with greater improvement in depression and anxiety symptoms in VD group. More importantly, neuroimaging data demonstrated disrupted white matter integrity of right inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus along with decreased functional connectivity between right frontoparietal and medial visual networks after intervention in NVD group, but no changes in VD group. These findings suggest that vitamin D supplementation as adjunctive therapy to antidepressants may not only contribute to improvement in clinical symptoms but also help preserve brain structural and functional connectivity in MDD patients.