International Units Of Vitamin Research Articles

The Effect of using Nano-Selenium and Vitamin D3 on some Blood Parameters in Male Awassi Lambs

The research was carried out in the Animal Production Department of the College of Agriculture at Tikrit University in Iraq. The goal of this study was to examine the impact of administering nano-selenium and vitamin D3 to Awassi sheep on a variety of biochemical parameters of blood. Sixteen Awassi lambs were employed in the study; their ages ranged from (4-5) months, and their average weight was (19.56 0.17 kg). These lambs were randomly split into four groups (4 animals per group), and the investigation spanned two time periods (45 and 90 days). The first group (control) received 10 ml of distilled water (per animal), while the second group (treatment) was dosed with 0.5 mg of selenium nanoparticles/kg of feed and the third group (treatment) was dosed with 5.5 international units of vitamin D3/kg of body weight. Fourth, the results of this investigation showed that the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low lipoproteins all decreased significantly (P≤0.05) after a combination dose of the nano-element selenium and vitamin D3 (0.5 mg/kg feed + 5.5 international units/kg body weight). High-density lipoproteins were significantly increased (P≤0.05) in the second treatment compared to the control treatment, but low-density and very low-density lipoproteins were decreased. Serum creatinine levels were found to be significantly lower after the second and fourth treatments compared to the first (control) and third treatments (P≤0.05), whereas blood urea levels and AST and ALT enzyme levels were not statistically different between the treatments.

Vitamin D supplementation and cognition-Results from analyses of the D-Health trial.

Observational studies have consistently found a link between low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and higher risk of cognitive impairment. Results from randomized controlled trials have been mixed, and few have been conducted in the general population. We recruited 21,315 community-dwelling Australians aged between 60 and 84 years to participate in the D-Health Trial, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The intervention was monthly oral doses of 60,000 international units of vitamin D or placebo for 5 years. We assessed cognitive function in a randomly sampled group of participants aged ≥70 years using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS) at 2 and 5 years after randomization. The primary outcome for this analysis was TICS score; the secondary outcome was the proportion of people who had cognitive impairment (defined as TICS score ≤25). We analyzed data using mixed models (linear and logistic). We interviewed 3887 participants at year 2 and 3614 participants at year 5. The mean TICS score at these time points was 32.3 and 32.2, respectively. Vitamin D supplementation did not affect cognitive function as measured by TICS score (mean difference between vitamin D and placebo groups 0.04; 95% CI -0.14 to 0.23), or alter risk of cognitive impairment (odds ratio 1.00; 95% CI 0.75 to 1.33). Monthly bolus doses of vitamin D supplementation neither enhanced nor hindered cognitive function among older adults. Population-wide vitamin D supplementation of older adults that are largely vitamin D replete is unlikely to substantially benefit cognition.

Vitamin D3 Supplementation Prior to Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundThe purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to determine if a one-time dose of vitamin D3 prior to total knee arthroplasty improves function and patient-reported outcomes, while decreasing complications. MethodsOne hundred seven patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty were randomized to receive 50,000 international units vitamin D3 (57 patients) or placebo (50 patients) on the morning of surgery. Power analysis determined 45 patients were required in each cohort to detect a minimal clinically important difference of 6 points in the functional component of the 2011 version of the Knee Society Score (KSS), assuming an alpha of 0.05 and power of 80%. KSS and a Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) were measured preoperatively and at 3 and 6 weeks postoperatively. ResultsThere was no difference in improvement of KSS at 3 weeks (+4.8 points vitamin D3 versus +3.0 points placebo; P = .6) or 6 weeks (+14.5 points vitamin D3 versus +12.4 points placebo; P = .5) from baseline. There was no difference in change in TUGT at 3 weeks (+1.2 seconds vitamin D3 versus +0.6 seconds placebo; P = .6) or 6 weeks (−0.3 seconds vitamin D3 versus −0.9 seconds placebo; P = .6) from baseline. There were 4 complications in the placebo cohort within the first 90 days postoperatively and 5 complications in the vitamin D3 cohort (P = 1.0). ConclusionSupplementation with 50,000 international units vitamin D3 on the day of surgery failed to demonstrate statistical significant differences in functional KSS, TUGT times, or complications in the early postoperative period compared to placebo. Level of EvidenceLevel I, therapeutic study.

High-intensity versus low-intensity resistance training in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial

Objectives To assess whether (i) high-intensity resistance training (RT) leads to increased muscle strength compared to low-intensity RT in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA); and (ii) RT with vitamin D supplementation leads to increased muscle strength compared to placebo in a subgroup with vitamin D deficiency. Design Randomized controlled trial Setting Outpatient rehabilitation centre Subjects Patients with knee OA Interventions 12 weeks of RT at high-intensity RT (70–80% of 1-repetition maximum (1-RM)) or low-intensity RT (40–50% of 1-RM) and 24 weeks of vitamin D (1200 International units vitamin D3 per day) or placebo supplementation. Main measures Primary outcome measure was isokinetic muscle strength. Other outcome measure for muscle strength was the estimated 1-RM. Secondary outcome measures were knee pain and physical functioning. Results 177 participants with a mean age of 67.6 ± 5.8 years were included, of whom 50 had vitamin D deficiency. Isokinetic muscle strength (in Newton metre per kilogram bodyweight) at start, end and 24 weeks after the RT was 0.98 ± 0.40, 1.11 ± 0.40, 1.09 ± 0.42 in the high-intensity group and 1.02 ± 0.41, 1.15 ± 0.42, 1.12 ± 0.40 in the low-intensity group, respectively. No differences were found between the groups, except for the estimated 1-RM in favour of the high-intensity group. In the subgroup with vitamin D deficiency, no difference on isokinetic muscle strength was found between the vitamin D and placebo group. Conclusions High-intensity RT did not result in greater improvements in isokinetic muscle strength, pain and physical functioning compared to low-intensity RT in knee OA, but was well tolerated. Therefore these results suggest that either intensity of resistance training could be utilised in exercise programmes for patients with knee osteoarthritis. No synergistic effect of vitamin D supplementation and RT was found, but this finding was based on underpowered data.

Nature of the Vitamin A Activity of Annatto Seed (Bixa orellana L.)

The high vitamin A activity of the petroleum ether extract of the annatto seed has been confirmed. It ranges from 1,000 to 2,000 international units of vitamin A per gram of extract. It was found that a standard mixture of 3-percent acetone in petroleum ether did not remove any vitamin A-active material from a magnesium oxide-hyflo supercel column, on which a petroleum ether extract of annatto had been chromatographed. The only solvent among those tried, that effectively removed the material which was left absorbed on the column after elution with acetone-petroleum ether was methanol. The methanol extract exhibited a biological activity of about the same order of magnitude as the original petroleum ether extract, that is, 1,000 to 2,000 international units of vitamin A.

1378The effect of vitamin D supplementation on acute respiratory infection -analysis of the D-Health Trial

Abstract Background Observational studies link vitamin D deficiency with acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) but results from randomised controlled trials are heterogeneous. Methods We used data from The D-Health Trial (N = 21,315); ARTI was a pre-specified trial outcome. Participants were men and women aged 60 to 79 years (with volunteers aged up to 84 years), supplemented with monthly doses of 60,000 international units of vitamin D and followed for up to 5 years. Participants were asked to report occurrence of ARTI over the previous month via annual surveys, and a subset of participants completed 8-week respiratory symptom diaries in winter. We used regression models to estimate odds ratios, rate ratios and rate differences. Results Vitamin D supplementation did not reduce the risk of ARTI (survey OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.02; diary OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.15). Analyses of diary data showed that vitamin D reduced the average duration by 0.5 days (95% CI 0.2 to 0.7 days) and the average number of days with severe symptoms by 0.4 days (95% CI 0.3 to 0.6 days). Conclusions Monthly bolus doses of 60,000 IU of vitamin D did not reduce the overall risk of ARTI but slightly reduce the duration of symptoms in the general population. Key messages The reduction in the duration of symptoms suggests a potential impact of vitamin D on the immune response to infection.

Dietary vitamin D supplementation improves haematological status following consumption of an iron-fortified cereal: an 8-week randomised controlled trial

AbstractVitamin D, a secosteroid, has recently been implicated in the stimulation of erythroid precursors and ultimately the rate of erythropoiesis. However, there are a paucity of randomised controlled trials (RCT), investigating the effect of vitamin D supplementation iron status, especially in populations at risk of iron deficiency. An eight-week, double-blind RCT was carried out in 50 female (mean age (± SD): 27 ± 9 years), iron-deficient (plasma ferritin concentration < 20 μg/L) participants, randomised to consume an iron-fortified cereal containing 9 mg of iron, with either a vitamin D supplement (1,500 international units (IU)/day, 38 μg/day) or placebo. The effect of dietary vitamin D supplementation on haematological indicators was investigated. Blood samples were collected at baseline, 4-weeks and 8-week timepoints for measurement of iron and vitamin D status biomarkers. The effect of intervention was analysed with a mixed-model repeated measures ANOVA using IBM SPSS statistical software (Version 21, IBM Corporation, New York, USA). Significant increases were observed in two haematological parameters: haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit level from baseline to post-intervention in the vitamin D group, but not in the placebo group. The increase from baseline to post-intervention in haemoglobin concentration in the vitamin D group (135 ± 11 to 138 ± 10 g/L) was significantly higher than in the placebo group (131 ± 15 to 128 ± 13 g/L) (P ≤ 0.05). The increase in haematocrit level from baseline to post-intervention was also significantly higher in the vitamin D group (42.0 ± 3.0 to 43.8 49 ± 3.4%) compared to the placebo group (41.2 ± 4.3 to 40.7 ± 3.6%) (P ≤ 0.05). Despite non-significant changes in plasma ferritin concentration, this study demonstrates that dietary supplementation with 1,500IU vitamin D, consumed daily with an iron-fortified cereal led to improvement in haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit levels in women with low iron stores. Further long-term studies are required, however, these findings suggest a potential role for improvement of vitamin D status as an adjunct therapy for recovery of iron status in iron-deficient populations.

Association Between Vitamin A Supplementation and Mortality Among Patients with Ebola Virus Disease: An International Multisite Cohort Study

Introduction:Micronutrient supplementation is recommended in Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). However, there is limited data on its therapeutic impacts. This study evaluated the association between vitamin A supplementation and mortality outcomes in EVD patients.Methods:This retrospective cohort study accrued patients with EVD admitted to five International Medical Corps run Ebola Treatment Units (ETU) in two countries from 2014-2015. Protocolized treatments with antimicrobials and micronutrients were used at all ETUs. However, due to resource limitations and care variations, only a subset of patients received vitamin A. Standardized data on demographics, clinical characteristics, malaria status, and Ebola virus RT-PCR cycle threshold (CT) values were collected. The outcome of interest was mortality compared between cases treated with 200,000 International Units of vitamin A on care days one and two and those not. Propensity scores (PS) based on the first 48-hours of care were derived using the covariates of age, duration of ETU function, malaria status, CT values, symptoms of confusion, hemorrhage, diarrhea, dysphagia, and dyspnea. Treated and non-treated cases were matched 1:1 based on nearest neighbors with replacement. Covariate balance met predefined thresholds. Mortality proportions between cases treated and untreated with vitamin A were compared using generalized estimating equations to calculate relative risks (RR) with associated 95% confidence intervals (CI).Results:There were 424 cases analyzed, with 330 (77.8%) being vitamin A-treated cases. The mean age was 30.5 years and 57.0% were female. The most common symptoms were diarrhea (86%), anorexia (81%), and vomiting (77%). Mortality proportions among cases untreated and treated with vitamin A were 71.9% and 55.0%, respectively. In a propensity-matched analysis, mortality was significantly lower among cases receiving vitamin A (RR = 0.77 95%; CI:0.59-0.99; p = 0.041).Discussion:Early vitamin A supplementation was associated with reduced mortality in EVD patients and should be provided routinely during future epidemics.

Estimation of exposure durations for vitamin D production and sunburn risk in Switzerland.

Although overexposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is responsible for cutaneous melanoma and epithelial skin cancer and can cause negative health effects such as sunburn, a "little and often" exposure regime is often suggested to produce naturally recommended vitamin D levels, being essential for skeletal health. This study aimed to quantify solar UV doses needed to trigger 1000 International Units (IU) vitamin D doses and, at the same time, producing sunburn in Switzerland. Solar UV erythema irradiance (in mW/m2) measured at four meteorological stations in Switzerland for the period 2005-2017 were used to evaluate effective solar UV radiation producing 1000 IU vitamin D doses in skin phototype II and III individuals. Daily solar UV exposure durations (in minutes) needed to produce vitamin D with limited sunburn risk were estimated while considering mean vitamin D food intake of the Swiss population and seasonal skin coverage. In summer and spring, with 22% of uncovered skin, 1000 IU vitamin D doses are synthesized in 10-15 min of sun exposure for adults. Exposure durations between erythema risk and 1000 IU vitamin D production vary between 9 and 46 min. In winter and autumn, the recommended vitamin D production without sunburn risks often unachievable, since up to 6.5 h of sun exposure might be necessary considering 8-10% of uncovered skin surface. The vitamin D food intake only represented 10% of the recommended vitamin D production and remained unchanged throughout the year. These findings might clarify why vitamin D deficiency is common in Switzerland. Moreover, exposure durations between recommended vitamin D and increased sunburn risk might only differ by few minutes. Without additional oral vitamin D supplementation, daily doses of vitamin D (1000 IU) are not reachable in autumn and winter months in Switzerland.

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A 64-year-old Vietnamese female presents for initial evaluation of osteoporosis with a chief complaint of new left thigh pain of 1 month's duration. She was diagnosed with osteoporosis at age 54, when she was started on alendronate 70 mg once weekly. She continues on weekly alendronate. There is no fracture history. She reached menopause at age 49. She takes 600 mg of calcium carbonate daily and 1,000 international units of vitamin D daily. No family history of osteoporosis. Available dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were reviewed. At age 59, DXA showed the following T-scores: L1 to L4 of -1.9, right femoral of -1.8. At age 62, DXA scan showed a T-score at L1 to L4 of -1.9, right femoral neck T-score -1.8, and total hip T-score -0.5. Bilateral hip X-rays were obtained (Figs. 1 and 2). What is the diagnosis? Fig. 2 View Large Image Figure Viewer

DIETARY VITAMIN D3 INFLUENCE ON SERUM 25-HYDROXY VITAMIN D CONCENTRATIONS IN CAPTIVE SUGAR GLIDERS (PETAURUS BREVICEPS)

A pilot study was performed to investigate the impact of dietary vitamin D on circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) metabolite concentrations in sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps). The study with diets containing 0, 0.2 (low), or 0.4 (moderate) International Units vitamin D3 per gram of dry matter and fed to adults at 2 locations. Serum 25[OH]D concentrations did not differ between animals fed produce only (no added vitamin D–either D2 or D3) for 3 weeks (8.83 ± 0.98 nmol/L), n = 6, or low dietary levels (7.86 ± 3.80 nmol/L), n = 7, continuously for multiple years. Conversely, animals consuming diets containing moderate vitamin D3 levels displayed increased circulating concentrations (15.00 ± 3.59), n = 8, after 3 weeks. Despite the response to diets supplemented with vitamin D, overall metabolite levels were low and may indicate minimal metabolic dependence on this nutrient in sugar gliders, similar to processes documented in other hindgut fermenters.

Effect of Two Different Multimicronutrient Supplements on Vitamin D Status in Women of Childbearing Age: A Randomized Trial

The German Nutrition Society raised in 2012 the recommended daily vitamin D intake from 200 to 800 international units (IU) to achieve 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels of at least 50 nmol/L, even when endogenous vitamin D synthesis is minimal such as in winter. We aimed to evaluate this recommendation in women of childbearing age. This is a single-center, randomized, open trial conducted from 8 January to 9 May 2016 in Esslingen, Germany. We randomized 201 apparently healthy women to receive for 8 weeks a daily multimicronutrient supplement containing either 200 IU (n = 100) or 800 IU vitamin D3 (n = 101). Primary outcome measure was serum 25(OH)D. 196 participants completed the trial. Increases in 25(OH)D (median with interquartile range) from baseline to study end were 13.2 (5.9 to 20.7) nmol/L in the 200 IU group, and 35.8 (18.2 to 52.8) nmol/L in the 800 IU group (p < 0.001 for the between group difference). At study end, levels of ≥50 nmol/L were present in 70.4% of the 200 IU group and in 99% of the 800 IU group. Participants on hormonal contraceptives had higher baseline levels and a stronger increase in 25(OH)D. In conclusion, daily supplementation of 800 IU vitamin D3 during wintertime in Germany is sufficient to achieve a 25(OH)D level of at least 50 nmol/L in almost all women of childbearing age, whereas 200 IU are insufficient.

Effects of Calcium, Vitamin D, and Hormone Therapy on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in the Women's Health Initiative: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

To analyze the treatment effect of calcium+vitamin D supplementation, hormone therapy, both, and neither on cardiovascular disease risk factors. We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial among Women's Health Initiative (WHI) participants. The predefined primary outcome was low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Between September 1993 and October 1998, a total of 68,132 women aged 50-79 years were recruited and randomized to the WHI-Dietary Modification (n=48,835) and WHI-Hormone Therapy trials (n=27,347). Subsequently, 36,282 women from WHI-Hormone Therapy (16,089) and WHI-Dietary Modification (n=25,210) trials were randomized in the WHI-Calcium+Vitamin D trial to 1,000 mg elemental calcium carbonate plus 400 international units vitamin D3 daily or placebo. Our study group included 1,521 women who participated in both the hormone therapy and calcium+vitamin D trials and were in the 6% subsample of trial participants with blood sample collections at baseline and years 1, 3, and 6. The average treatment effect with 95% confidence interval, for LDL-C, compared with placebo, was -1.6, (95% confidence interval [CI] -5.5 to 2.2) mg/dL for calcium+vitamin D alone, -9.0 (95% CI -13.0 to -5.1) mg/dL for hormone therapy alone, and -13.8 (95% CI -17.8 to -9.8) mg/dL for the combination. There was no evidence of a synergistic effect of calcium+vitamin D+hormone therapy on LDL-C (P value for interaction=.26) except in those with low total intakes of vitamin D, for whom there was a significant synergistic effect on LDL (P value for interaction=.03). Reductions in LDL-C were greater among women randomized to both calcium+vitamin D and hormone therapy than for those randomized to either intervention alone or to placebo. The treatment effect observed in the calcium+vitamin D+hormone therapy combination group may be additive rather than synergistic. For clinicians and patients deciding to begin calcium+vitamin D supplementation, current use of hormone therapy should not influence that decision. ClinicalTrials.gov, https://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00000611.

Improved infant hemoglobin (Hb) and blood glucose concentrations: The beneficial effect of maternal vitamin A supplementation of malaria-infected mothers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

One hundred and fifty-two malaria-infected pregnant women whose pregnancies had advanced to the 6th month were randomised into two study groups – supplemented and placebo groups, after obtaining their approved consents. Ten thousand international units of vitamin A soft gels were administered to the supplemented group three times per week. Vitamin A soft gels devoid of their active ingredients were administered thrice weekly to the placebo group. Two hundred thousand international units of vitamin A was administered to the supplemented groups within 8 weeks postpartum. Placebo was given to the control group at same time after delivery. The regimen was continued in the two groups at three-month intervals until 12 months. Quarterly, 3 ml of venous blood was collected from each infant in the two groups and was used for the estimation of hemoglobin concentrations and determination of blood glucose levels. Hemoglobin concentrations were estimated using hemiglobincyanide method while the blood glucose levels were determined with a glucometer. Analysis of variance, Fisher’s least significant difference and t-test were used for data analysis. Statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. Both hemoglobin concentrations and blood glucose levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the supplemented group than in the placebo group. The malaria infection mitigating effects of maternal vitamin A supplementation have been established in the present study and supported by previous studies. Vitamin A supplementation, fortification of foods with vitamin A and diversification of diets, are advocated for maintenance of good health and protection against some infectious diseases.

Vitamin D3 Treatment Influences PGE2 and TGFβ in Normal and Increased Breast Cancer Risk Women.

We reported that vitamin D3 increased transforming growth factor (TGF)β2 and decreased prostaglandin (PG)E2 in the breast of normal-risk women, suggesting a protective effect. We determined if the findings held for higher risk women. Seventy-eight women received daily for one month/menstrual cycle: placebo, 400 international units (IU) vitamin D3, 2,000 IU vitamin D3 or 2,000 IU vitamin D3/400 mg celecoxib. Nipple aspirate fluid (NAF) and/or serum were analyzed for PGE2, TGFβ1,-2, vitaminD binding protein (DBP) 25(OH)D; and plasma for celecoxib. 25(OH)D increased (p<0.001) in women receiving 2,000 IU vitamin D3. Two thousand IU vitamin D3 lowered NAF PGE2 in normal-risk women (p=0.029), whereas 2,000 IU vitamin D3/celecoxib lowered NAF PGE2 in high-risk women (p=0.063). Serum TGFβ1 was influenced by treatment (p=0.011). NAF TGFβ2 increase correlated with increase in 25(OH)D. DBP serum levels were higher than matched NAF, regardless of race, and did not appreciably change with treatment. Vitamin D3 influenced TGFβ1 and -β2 expression. PGE2 response to vitamin D3 treatment was influenced by a participant's breast cancer risk. The implications of these observations regarding breast cancer risk should be further evaluated.

1304 Effects of supplementing pasteurized waste milk with vitamins A, D and E on fat-soluble vitamin status, growth, and health of calves

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a milk supplement, MILKADE® (Stuart Products, Inc.), on growth, health and fat-soluble vitamin status of calves fed pasteurized whole milk. The MILKADE supplement contained 50,000 international units (IU) vitamin A as retinyl-palmitate, 50,000 IU vitamin D3, and 500 IU vitamin E as RRR-α-tocopherol per milliliter of product. Forty Holstein calves (19 bulls, 21 heifers) were enrolled at birth and assigned to either control (n = 18, no supplement), 0.25 mL MILKADE (0.25ADE, n = 12), or 0.5 mL MILKADE (0.5ADE, n = 10) treatments. Calves were provided 2.85 L of pasteurized waste milk twice per day and the supplement was added individually to the calves' milk at the morning feeding. Feed intake and health scores were recorded daily. Bodyweight and height and serum samples were collected weekly from birth until 3 wk (bulls) or 6 wk (heifers) of age. Responses to treatments were analyzed as repeated measures. Serum retinol concentrations averaged near 400 ng/mL during the trial and were not different (P = 0.45) between treatment groups. In contrast, control calves were vitamin D deficient throughout the trial with average 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D concentrations < 10 ng/mL of serum, whereas, 25(OH)D concentrations of 0.25ADE and 0.5ADE calves reached 90 and 150 ng/mL of serum, respectively, after 3 wk (P < 0.001). Similarly, serum α-tocopherol concentrations of control calves remained below 1.5 μg/mL throughout the trial but reached approximately 4.5 μg/mL of serum for both 0.25ADE and 0.5ADE groups after 5 wk (P < 0.05). There was a treatment effect on overall body weight (P = 0.004) such that 0.25ADE and 0.5ADE calves weighed less than control calves (49.3 kg and 46.4 kg vs. 52.1 kg, P = 0.013 and P < 0.001, respectively) at 3 wk of age. However, there was no difference in BW of heifers at week 6 of the trial (P = 0.171). There was no difference in feed intake or fecal and respiratory scores between groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, calves fed pasteurized whole milk are deficient in vitamins D and E. Daily intakes for vitamins A and E were within ranges determined optimal for calves. Upper limits for supplemental vitamin D have not been established but the high serum 25(OH)D of the supplemented calves indicates vitamin D intakes above 10,000 IU/d are perhaps excessive for neonatal calves.

Vitamin D Adequacy and Improvements of Comorbidities in Persons with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is alarmingly high among people with developmental disabilities. In addition to enhancing mineral metabolism, vitamin D affects neuro-modulation, muscle coordination, immunity, infections and autoimmune disorders. Peer-reviewed papers from PubMed, Medline, and other research databases were searched using key words to collate relevant evidence in preparation of this evidence-based review. Per the guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), general interpretations of results are included taking into consideration the risk–benefits, broader evidence, and implications for practicing clinicians. Many clinicians consider the minimum level of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] required for optimal health in the normal population to be 30 ng/mL (75 nmol/L), whereas a lesser number consider the level to be 20 ng/mL. However, evolving data suggest that for vulnerable populations, such as those with autoimmune disease, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, and persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities, 40 ng/mL (100 nmol/L) might be considered the minimum level. To reach this level, most people requires adequate sun exposure and/or a daily oral supplementation of between 1,000 and 5,000 International Units of vitamin D. This review explores vitamin D requirements for the musculoskeletal and non-skeletal systems and its adequacy in relationship to common disorders affecting persons with intellectual disabilities.

Impact of Vitamin D Supplementation on Gross Motor Development of Healthy Term Infants: A Randomized Dose-Response Trial

ABSTRACTIn addition to benefits for bone health, vitamin D is implicated in muscle function in children and adults. Aims: To determine if vitamin D dosage positively correlated with gross motor development at 3 and 6 months of age. We hypothesized that higher doses would be associated with higher scores for gross motor skills. Methods: A consecutive sample of 55 healthy, term, and breastfed infants from Montreal, Canada were recruited from a randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation between 2009 and 2012. Infants were randomized to 400 International Units (IU) (n = 19), 800 IU (n = 18) or 1,200 IU (n = 18) vitamin D3/day. Motor performance at 3 and 6 months was quantified by the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). Plasma vitamin D3 metabolites were measured by tandem mass spectrometry. Results: AIMS scores did not differ at 3 months. However, total AIMS scores and sitting subscores were significantly higher at 6 months in infants receiving 400 IU/day compared to 800 IU/day and 1,200 IU/day groups (p < .05). There were weak negative correlations with length and C-3 epimer of 25(OH)D. Conclusions: In contrast to our hypothesis, gross motor achievements were significantly higher in infants receiving 400 IU/day vitamin D. Our findings also support longer infants being slightly delayed.

Ultraviolet light exposure, skin cancer risk and vitamin D production.

The danger of overexposure to solar ultraviolet radiation has been widely reviewed since the 1980s due to the depletion of the ozone layer. However, the benefits of mild exposure of the skin to ultraviolet (UV) light have not been widely investigated. Numerous reports have demonstrated that an association exists between low light exposure to the sun, non-melanoma skin cancer and a lack of vitamin D synthesis. As vitamin D synthesis in the body depends on skin exposure to UVB radiation from the sun (wavelength, 290-320 nm), experimental measurements for this type of solar radiation are important. The present study analyzed data obtained from a laboratory investigating UV radiation from the sun at the University of Tarapacá (Arica, Chile), where systematic experimental UVB measurements had been performed using a calibrated biometer instrument since 2006. These data were compared with skin cancer data from the local population. The results demonstrated that the incidence of skin cancer systematically increased from 7.4 to 18.7 in men and from 10.0 to 21.7 in women between 2000 and 2006 in Arica, respectively; this increase may be due to multiple factors, including the lack of adequate levels of vitamin D in risk groups such as post-menopausal women and senior age. This marked increase may also be due to the high levels of UV radiation measured in this region throughout the year. However, it is not certain that the local population has adequate vitamin D levels, nor that their skin has been predominantly exposed to artificial light that does not allow adequate vitamin D synthesis. Thus, the current study presents the association between skin type IV, the time to induce solar erythema and the time required to produce 1,000 international units of vitamin D.

Vitamin D Supplementation Increases Serum Levels of Soluble Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products Among Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome [30

INTRODUCTION: To examine the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on the changes in serum receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) and serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) among vitamin D–deficient women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: A total of 136 women with (n=68) or without (age-matched control; n=68) PCOS who were diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency were studied. All participants received supplemental oral vitamin D3 (50,000 international units/wk) for 8 weeks, followed by 1,000 international units vitamin D3 supplementation for 16 weeks. All women provided blood samples for the measurements of sRAGE, AMH, and other analytes at baseline and at the end of supplementation (24 weeks). RESULTS: In all participants, there was a negative correlation between body mass index and serum sRAGE levels (r=−0.46, P=.003). In women with PCOS, but not in those in the control group, vitamin D3 supplementation increased serum sRAGE (P<.001) and decreased serum AMH levels (P<.001). The increases in serum sRAGE were positively correlated with the increases in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D after vitamin D3 supplementation in women with PCOS (r=0.72, P<.001). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D3 supplementation in women with PCOS showed a protective effect against the inflammatory action of advanced glycation end products by enhancing the circulating sRAGEs. The normalization in serum AMH induced by vitamin D3 therapy indicates a possible improvement in folliculogenesis.