Regular Vitamin Research Articles

Effects of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 on growth performance, serum parameters, fecal microbiota, and metabolites in weaned piglets fed diets with low calcium and phosphorus.

With the development of intensive farming, long-term exposure of pigs to poor light conditions is not conducive to the production of vitamin D3 , and vitamin D3 deficiency could affect absorption and metabolism of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3 ) has higher bioactivity than regular vitamin D3 . This study investigated the effects of 25OHD3 on performance, serum parameters, fecal microbiota, and metabolites in weaned piglets fed with low Ca-P diet. It was found that a low Ca-P diet supplemented with 50 μg/kg 25OHD3 (NC + 25-D) improved (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) in phase 2 and in the overall period of the experiment, and increased (P < 0.05) the immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA), catalase (CAT), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and osteocalcin (OC) serum content on day 28 compared with a low Ca-P diet (NC), but no differences were observed between a normal Ca-P diet (PC) and the NC + 25-D diet. Compared with NC, the abundance of Firmicutes was higher (P < 0.05) in PC and NC + 25-D. NC + 25-D decreased (P < 0.05) the abundance of Streptococcaceae compared with PC and NC, and increased (P < 0.05) the abundance of Lachnospiraceae compared with NC. Serum 25OHD3 was negatively correlated with the abundance of fecal Streptococcaceae (P < 0.05), and positively correlated with the abundance of fecal Lachnospiraceae (P < 0.05). Supplementation of 25OHD3 in a low Ca-P diet improved serum immunity, bone biochemical parameters, and fecal microbiota such as decreased Streptococcaceae abundance and increased Lachnospiraceae abundance, which could subsequently promote growth of piglets. The effects were similar to that of a normal Ca-P diet. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Regular vitamin A supplementation: prioritizing the youngest children

Regular vitamin A supplementation: prioritizing the youngest children

A hospital based research to determine the incidence and severity of vitamin d insufficiency in people with type 2 diabetes

Aims: The aim of the study to assess the prevalence and severity of vitamin D deficiency in type 2 DM. Material and methods: A 5 months case-control study was carried out at Dhawan Hospital in Ludhiana, Punjab, India, at the request of the researchers. A total of 240 volunteers participated in the study, with 120 type 2 diabetes patients serving as case participants (Group A) and 120 healthy volunteers serving as control participants (Group B). Laboratory testing on a regular basis CBC, FBS, RBS, PP2BS, haemoglobin A1C, blood urea, serum creatinine, lipid profile, urine albumin, and Vitamin D3 levels were all measured using conventional techniques at the institute's central laboratory, according to the guidelines. Results: When comparing groups A and B, the mean age of group A (case) was 51.42 9.25 years, while the mean age of group B (control) was 50.12 10.18 years. The prevalence of low vitamin D levels in the healthy population was just 19.2 percent, while the prevalence in the diabetic population was 84.2 percent. Vitamin D levels were found to be sufficient, insufficient, and deficient in 18.51 percent, 61.11 percent, and 16.67 percent, respectively, in patients with controlled diabetes according to HbA1C criteria, but only 10.60 percent, 68.18 percent, and 24.24 percent in patients with uncontrolled diabetes, according to the same criteria. In contrast to diabetic patients with managed condition, a higher proportion of diabetic patients with uncontrolled state (24.24 percent) had overt vitamin D insufficiency (16.67 percent). There is a statistically significant relationship between the maintenance of euglycemia and the degree of Vitamin D deficiency in diabetic patients, as shown by a p value less than 0.05. Conclusion: All patients with type-2 diabetes should have their vitamin D levels checked, and those who are found to have insufficiency or shortage of vitamin D should be prescribed vitamin D supplements. In order to avoid vitamin D insufficiency, it is also necessary to maintain tight control over one's diabetic condition.

Hypovitaminosis D in migrant children in Switzerland: a retrospective study

Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is essentially known for its role in the phosphocalcic metabolism and its associated pathologies, such as rickets. In Switzerland, 35 to 50% of children are vitamin D deficient. Due to skin colour, poor nutrition, living conditions and cultural practices, migrant population is particularly at risk. Our aim is to attest the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in children arriving in Switzerland. We retrospectively assessed 528 children’s vitamin D status and parathyroid hormone, phosphate and calcium levels between 2015 and 2018 by electrochemiluminescence and spectrophotometry. Cholecalciferol was considered insufficient under 50 nmol/L and severely deficient below 25 nmol/L. Seventy-three percent of children showed hypovitaminosis D and 28% had a severe deficiency. Highest prevalence of deficiency was found in children from Eastern Mediterranean (80%) and African regions (75%). Severe deficiency was more prevalent in the South East Asian (39%) and Eastern Mediterranean regions (33%) and more frequent in females. Deficiency was more frequent and more severe in winter. Hypovitaminosis D increased with age. Two children presented with all three biological manifestations associated to severe hypovitaminosis D (hyperparathyroidism, hypocalcaemia and hypophosphatemia).Conclusion: A majority of migrant children presented with hypovitaminosis D. They should be supplemented to prevent complications. A strategy could be to supplement all children at arrival and during wintertime without regular vitamin D level checks.What is Known:Hypovitaminosis D is frequent in children and can lead to bone-related complications.Migrant children are particularly at risk of deficiency.What is New:Three-quarters of migrant children evaluated at our migrant clinic in Geneva’s children hospital are deficient in vitamin D, one third severely.A strategy to correct the deficiency would be to supplement all migrant children at arrival and in winter.

In Vitro Dissolution Evidence for Sustained and Prolonged Release of Vitamin C in a Phosphatidyl Choline-Enriched Lipid Encapsulation

ObjectivesIn vitro dissolution tests are valuable first-step tools in the development of bioavailable delivery systems, making it possible to assess the performance of novel technologies in releasing active ingredients through the amount dissolved in a dissolution medium. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether phosphatidyl choline-enriched lipid encapsulation releases the majority of vitamin C as ascorbic acid past the stomach in a standard in vitro dissolution procedure and to assess the release profile. MethodsA novel phosphatidyl choline-enriched lipid encapsulation that is solid at room temperature was tested for dissolution in a standard dissolution apparatus according to compendial United States Pharmacopeia methods, as per Good Manufacturing Practices for dietary supplements. One serving (included 1000 mg ascorbic acid) was placed into vessels containing simulated gastric fluid (0.1 M HCl) for 120 minutes then changed to simulated intestinal fluid (buffered 2% sodium lauryl sulfate, pH 6.8) for an additional 360 minutes. Aliquots were tested for ascorbic acid concentration at 8 time points by titration. The data was compared with 1000 mg of regular ascorbic acid in a capsule format. ResultsThe phosphatidyl choline-enriched lipid encapsulation released 36% of the vitamin C at 2 hours in the acid phase and released 56% at 3 hours, 67% at 4 hours, 85% at 6 hours and 98% at 8 hours in the intestinal phase. Regular vitamin C filled capsules released 100% of the vitamin C at 30 minutes. ConclusionsThe dissolution results indicated that phosphatidyl choline-enriched lipid encapsulation can pass the stomach and release the majority of vitamin C in the small intestine. The encapsulation demonstrated a sustained and prolonged release of vitamin C over an 8 hour period. The release profile observed in this in vitro study suggests phosphatidyl choline-enriched lipid encapsulation may improve nutrient absorption and bioavailability which requires further testing including human clinical trials. Funding SourcesThis study was supported by Lonza (Greenwood, SC) and Ritual (Natals Inc, Los Angeles, CA).

Vitamin C May Increase the Recovery Rate of Outpatient Cases of SARS-CoV-2 Infection by 70%: Reanalysis of the COVID A to Z Randomized Clinical Trial.

Interest in the potential effects of vitamin C for respiratory virus infections traces back to the 1940s (1–3). Numerous effects of vitamin C on the immune system have been demonstrated, which provide the rationale to investigate its effect on infections (4). The most comprehensive summary of the placebo-controlled trials on vitamin C and respiratory virus infections is the Cochrane review on vitamin C and the common cold (2). The Cochrane review identified 31 comparisons that examined the effect of regular vitamin C supplementation of at least 0.2 g/day on 9745 episodes of respiratory virus infections occurring during the supplementation period. In adults the duration of colds was reduced by 7.7% (95% CI 3.7% to 11.8%, P = 0.00018) and in children by 14.2% (95% CI 7.3% to 21.1%, P = 0.000053) [2; Analysis 2.1]. These findings indicate that vitamin C has physiological effects, though the review did not demonstrate treatment effects on virus infections that had already started (2). Based on two trials that compared two different vitamin C doses in separate trial arms (5, 6), a dose-response relationship for the effect of vitamin C was indicated, with a prediction that doses of 6-8 g/day may shorten viral upper respiratory infections by some 20% (2, 3, 7, 8). Given the previous research on vitamin C, we read with great interest the report on the COVID A to Z Randomized Clinical Trial (COVID A to Z trial) which investigated the effects of 8 g/day vitamin C on the recovery from outpatient SARS-CoV-2 infection (9). However, we unfortunately found several methodological shortcomings in the trial. Here we describe our major concerns and statistical reanalysis of the findings. In addition to the usual care and the vitamin C arms, the trial included zinc, and zinc with vitamin C arms. These two arms are not considered in this commentary, however, major problems in the zinc intervention are described in the Supplement .

تأثیر تمرین هوازی و مکملگیری ویتامین D بر میزان Fas و c-FLIP کبدی رتهای قرار گرفته در معرض آب اکسیژنه

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of regular aerobic exercise and vitamin D supplementation on hepatic apoptosis in rats exposed to oxygenated water (H2O2). Methods: For this purpose, 60 adult male Wistar rats weighed 220±20 g were randomly divided into ten groups (n=6 in each group) including: control group (C), H2O2 (H), double H2O2 (2H), H2O2 + Vitamin D3 Supplement (HD), double H2O2 + Vitamin D3 Supplement (2HD), H2O2+ Exercise (HE), double H2O2+ Exercise (2HE), H2O2 + Vitamin D3 Supplement + Exercise (HDE), double H2O2 + Vitamin D3 + Exercise (2HDE) and Dimethyl Sulfoxide + Saline (DMSO). Then, the animals were exposed to oxidative stress (intraperitoneal injection of H2O2 3 times a week), vitamin D3 (intraperitoneal injection daily) and daily treadmill exercise for 8 weeks (duration of training sessions 30 to 60 min, at speeds of 8 to 20 m/min). The rats were sacrificed 24 hours after the last training session and liver tissue was extracted and Fas and c-FLIP protein concentration was measured by ELISA method. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the between groups differences. Results: The results showed that Fas protein levels were higher in the H, 2H, HD and 2HD groups compared to the control group (P<0.05) and of c-FLIP protein level was lower in the H and 2H groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). The 2HE and 2HDE groups also showed less Fas protein level compared to the 2H group (P<0.05). In addition, the HE group compared to the H group and 2HE and 2HDE groups compared to the 2H group showed higher levels of c-FLIP protein concentration (P<0.05). Conclusion: Overall, the results of the present study showed that exposure of rats to H2O2 initiates apoptotic cascade in liver tissue. However, regular treadmill exercise was able to attenuate this effect to a large extent, but vitamin D3 supplementation did not.

Synergistic Effects of Exercise Training and Vitamin D Supplementation on Mitochondrial Function of Cardiac Tissue, Antioxidant Capacity, and Tumor Growth in Breast Cancer in Bearing-4T1 Mice.

Both regular exercise training and vitamin D consumption are beneficial for patients with cancer. The study investigated the effects of interval exercise training (IET) or/and vitamin D supplementation on the gene expression involved in mitochondrial function of heart tissue, tumor size, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in breast cancer (BC) model mice. We assigned random 40 female NMRI mice to five equal groups (n = 8); the healthy control group (H.C), cancer control group (Ca.C), cancer with the vitamin D group (Ca.VD), cancer exercise group (Ca.Ex), and cancer exercise along with the vitamin D group (Ca.Ex.VD). Forty-eight hours after treatment, we anesthetized the animals and performed the isolation of heart tissue and blood serum for further studies. The results showed that the lowest mean body weight at the end of the treatments was related to Ca.C (p = 0.001). Vitamin D treatment alone has increased tumor volume growth by approximately 23%; in contrast, co-treatment with exercise and vitamin D inhibited tumor growth in mice (P = 0.001), compared with the cancer control (12%). TAC levels were higher in the group that received both vitamin D and exercise training (Ca.Ex.VD) than in the other treatment groups (Ca.VD and Ca.Ex) (p = 0.001). In cardiac tissue, vitamin D treatment induces an elevation significantly of the mRNA expression of Pgc1−α, Mfn-1, and Drp-1 genes (p = 0.001). The study has shown the overexpression of vitamin D in female mice, and synergistic effects of IET with vitamin D on weight loss controlling, antitumorigenesis, improvement of antioxidant defense, and the modulation of gene expression. The synergistic responses were likely by increasing mitochondrial fusion and TAC to control oxidative stress. We recommended being conducted further studies on mitochondrial dynamics and biogenesis focusing on risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with BC.

Bone density and bone health alteration in boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: a prospective observational study.

Boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) are at increased risk for compromised bone health, manifesting as low-impact trauma long bone fractures and vertebral compression fractures. In a prospective observational study, we studied bone health parameters in North Indian boys with DMD. We consecutively enrolled ambulatory boys with DMD on glucocorticoid therapy. Bone health was evaluated with X-ray spine, Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), serum calcium, vitamin D3 (25[OH]D), 1,25-dihyroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]2D3), serum osteocalcin, osteopontin, and N terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (Ntx) levels. A total of 76 boys with DMD were enrolled. The median age was 8.5 (interquartile range [IQR] 7.04-10.77)years. Among these, seven (9.2%) boys had long bone fractures, and four (5.3%) had vertebral compression fractures. Fifty-four (71%) boys underwent DXA scan, and among these 31 (57%) had low bone mineral density (BMD, ≤-2 z-score) at the lumbar spine. The mean BMD z-score at the lumbar spine was-2.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]=-1.8,-2.8), and at the femoral neck was-2.5 (95% CI=-2,-2.9). 25(OH)D levels were deficient in 68 (89.5%, n=76) boys, and 1,25(OH)2D3 levels were deficient in all. Mean serum osteocalcin levels were 0.68±0.38ng/mL (n=54), serum osteopontin levels were 8.6±4.6pg/mL (n=54) and serum Ntx levels were 891±476nmol/L (n=54). Boys with low BMD received glucocorticoids for longer duration, in comparison to those with normal BMD (median, IQR [16.9(6-34) months vs. 7.8(4.8-13.4) months]; p=0.04). Bone health is compromised in North Indian boys with DMD. BMD at the lumbar spine is reduced in more than half of boys with DMD and nearly all had vitamin D deficiency on regular vitamin D supplements. Longer duration of glucocorticoid therapy is a risk factor for low BMD in our cohort.

Protective effect of nano vitamin D against fatty degeneration in submandibular and sublingual salivary glands: A histological and ultrastructural study

BackgroundPoor nutritional habits and a low level of physical activity are associated with obesity, leading to increased caloric and fat intakes. A high-fat diet can significantly impact oral health through the accumulation of lipids in the salivary glands, which ultimately affect salivary gland function. Recently, an increasing number of supplement nano-formulations, such as nano vitamin D, have become available. However, only few studies have explored the effects of nano vitamin D on the maintenance of oral health. ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare the histological effects of nano vitamin D to those of regular vitamin D on fatty degeneration in submandibular and sublingual salivary glands using a rat model. MethodsTwenty-four adult male albino Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into the following groups: untreated group, high-fat diet group, high-fat diet and regular vitamin D group, and high-fat diet and nano vitamin group.Thereafter, samples of the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands were dissected for histological and electron microscopic studies. Morphometric digital image analysis was used to quantitatively measure the changes in the size and number of acini and secretory granules. ResultsRegular vitamin D had a partial protective effect. However, vitamin D could fully restore cellular structures to their normal state, thereby protecting against fatty degeneration of the salivary tissue and immune cell infiltration, particularly in the submandibular serous tissue. Nano vitamin D was more efficacious than regular vitamin D at restoring the number and size of submandibular serous secretory granules. ConclusionEmploying nano vitamin D as a supplement to high-fat diets could protect against high-fat diet-induced salivary gland damage in rats.

The effect of regular resistance exercise, vitamin D, and calcium supplements on the gastrocnemius muscle in rats in the post-menopausal period: An experimental study.

Background Menopause is the natural termination of menstruation which affects the quality and important aspects of women's life.Objective To evaluate the effect of regular resistance training (Ex) with vitamin D (Vit. D) and calcium (Ca) supplements in the postmenopausal period on muscle tissue in rats.Materials and Methods In this experimental study, 72 female Wistar rats (8-10-wk old) were randomly divided into control, placebo, Vit. D, Ca, Ex, Ca + Vit. D, Ex + Ca, Ex + Vit. D, and Ex + Ca + Vit. D groups. Control and placebo groups were fed with a standard diet and sesame oil, respectively. Two month after the ovariectomy, Ex, Ca (35 mg/kg), and Vit. D (10000 IU) were administred in all groups except the control. The number of muscle and inflammatory cells, fiber diameter, endomysium thickness, and degenerative collagen fiber area were assessed through hematoxylin-eosin staining.ResultsMuscle cell number was increased in the Ex + Vit. D + Ca, Vit. D + Ex, and Vit. D groups compared to the control group; also, inflammatory cell number showed significant increase in the Ex + Vit. D + Ca (12 5.46), Vit. D + Ex (14 3.25), Ex (13 4.08), Vit. D (11 3.26), Ca + Vit. D (10 1.01), and Ca + Ex (9 2.87) groups. Muscle fiber diameter in the Ex + Vit. D + Ca and Vit. D + Ex groups was higher than the other groups. Endomysium thickness was significantly decreased in the Ex + Vit. D + Ca and Vit. D + Ex groups compared to the control and placebo groups (p 0.001). Degenerative collagen fiber area showed a significant increase in the Ex + Vit. D + Ca and Vit. D + Ex groups (p 0.001) comparison with the control group.Conclusion Regular resistance exercise, Vit. D, and Ca supplements can improve muscle morphological features in the postmenopausal period.

Investigating the Changes of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Interleukin-10 After 8 Weeks of Regular Pilates Exercise and Vitamin D Intake in Overweight Men: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background and Aim: Weight gain and vitamin D deficiency are associated with increased systemic inflammation and chronic diseases. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of regular Pilates training associated with Vitamin D intake on Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in overweight males. Methods &amp; Materials: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 52 overweight men aged 45-55 years. Volunteers were firstly selected through the convenience sampling method. Then, they were divided into Pilates training, Pilates training + vitamin D supplementation, vitamin D supplementation (combined), and control groups (n=13/group). The provided Pilates training program was performed for 8 weeks (with the intensity of 50%-75% of reserve heart rate, 3 sessions/week). The supplement and combined groups also received 50000 units of oral vitamin D weekly for 8 weeks. The serum levels of variables were determined using the ELISA method. The obtained data were analyzed by Paired Samples t-test, one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Kruskal–Wallis test at the significant level of &lt;0.05. Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee at Islamic Azad University, Babol Branch, Iran (Code: IR.IAU.BABOL.REC.1398.088). Also, this study was approved by the Iranian Clinical Trial Registration Center (Code: IRCT20190831044650N2) Results: The collected results indicated that 8 weeks of Pilates training, vitamin D intake, and the combined intervention were associated with a significant increase in IL-10 (P&lt;0.001) and a decrease in TNF-α (P&lt;0.001). Additionally, the presented combination intervention was associated with further alternations in the research variables, compared to the other two interventions; however, in the exercise group, the decrease in TNF-α level was more than that in the vitamin D intake group (P=0.012). Conclusion: It seems that in overweight combined with vitamin D deficiency stats, the anti-inflammatory effects of Pilates training, vitamin D supplementation interventions, and a combination of the two methods can be attributed in part to up-regulation IL-10 and TNF-α reduction; however, the effectiveness of the combined intervention on the development of inflammation was greater than that of the other two interventions. Furthermore, the effect of Pilates training on reducing TNF-α was stronger than that of vitamin D supplementation.

Effect of regular resistance exercise, vitamin D, and calcium supplements on the bone mineral content and density in postmenopausal model of rats: An experimental study

BackgroundPostmenopausal osteoporosis progressively occurs due to alteration in the estrogen level during the menopause period, and subsequently elevates the risk of fractures.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of regular resistance exercise, vitamin D, and calcium supplements on bone mineral content and density, postmenopausal rats used.Materials and Methods In this experimental study, 72 female Sprague-Dawley rats (8-10 wk: 250 15 gr) were ovariectomized and randomly divided into nine groups (n = 8/each): control, placebo, exercise (EX), exercise with vitamin D supplement (EX + D), exercise with calcium (EX + Ca), exercise with calcium and vitamin D (EX + Ca + D), vitamin D administration (D), calcium administration (Ca), and calcium and vitamin D (Ca + D) groups. Finally, the tail, hip, and lumbar bone mineral content, bone mineral density, bone thickness, and bone cells were evaluated in each group.ResultsThe tail, hip, and lumbar bone mineral density was increased significantly in the EX + Vit D group compared to the control group (p = 0.004, p = 0.007, p = 0.003, respectively). However, there were no significant changes in the bone mineral content of the hips and lumbar among the groups. Besides, bone thickness in the Ex + Vit D group was more than the other groups (p = 0.02). The number of osteoclast cells were decreased in the Ca + Vit D, Ex + Ca, Ex + Vit D, and Ex + Vit D + Ca groups compared to the control group. Osteocyte numbers were increased only in the Ex + Vit D group.ConclusionResistance exercise in combination with vitamin D and calcium have a positive effect on the bone mineral density and bone mineral content and might be able to prevent or delay the osteoporosis among elderly women. However, additional researches are needed to assess the molecular pathways of this process.

Promoting bone health in children and adolescents following solid organ transplantation

Solid organ transplantation in children and adolescents provides many benefits through improving critical organ function, including better growth, development, cardiovascular status, and quality of life. Unfortunately, bone status may be adversely affected even when overall status is improving, due to issues with pre-existing bone disease as well as medications and nutritional challenges inherent post-transplantation. For all children and adolescents, bone status entering adulthood is a critical determinant of bone health through adulthood. The overall health and bone status of transplant recipients benefits from attention to regular physical activity, good nutrition, adequate calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and vitamin D intake and avoidance/minimization of soda, extra sodium, and obesity. Many immunosuppressive agents, especially glucocorticoids, can adversely affect bone function and development. Minimizing exposure to "bone-toxic" medications is an important part of promoting bone health in children post-transplantation. Existing guidelines detail how regular monitoring of bone status and biochemical markers can help detect bone abnormalities early and facilitate valuable bone-directed interventions. Attention to calcium and vitamin D supplementation, as well as tapering and withdrawing glucocorticoids as early as possible after transplant, can provide best bone outcomes for these children. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry can be useful to detect abnormal bone mass and fracture risk in this population and newer bone assessment methods are being evaluated in children at risk for poor bone outcomes. Newer bone therapies being explored in adults with transplants, particularly bisphosphonates and the RANKL inhibitor denosumab, may offer promise for children with low bone mass post-transplantation.

Vitamin D Supplementation Associated to Better Survival in Hospitalized Frail Elderly COVID-19 Patients: The GERIA-COVID Quasi-Experimental Study.

Background. The objective of this quasi-experimental study was to determine whether bolus vitamin D supplementation taken either regularly over the preceding year or after the diagnosis of COVID-19 was effective in improving survival among hospitalized frail elderly COVID-19 patients. Methods. Seventy-seven patients consecutively hospitalized for COVID-19 in a geriatric unit were included. Intervention groups were participants regularly supplemented with vitamin D over the preceding year (Group 1), and those supplemented with vitamin D after COVID-19 diagnosis (Group 2). The comparator group involved participants having received no vitamin D supplements (Group 3). Outcomes were 14-day mortality and highest (worst) score on the ordinal scale for clinical improvement (OSCI) measured during COVID-19 acute phase. Potential confounders were age, gender, functional abilities, undernutrition, cancer, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, glycated hemoglobin, number of acute health issues at admission, hospital use of antibiotics, corticosteroids, and pharmacological treatments of respiratory disorders. Results. The three groups (n = 77; mean ± SD, 88 ± 5 years; 49% women) were similar at baseline (except for woman proportion, p = 0.02), as were the treatments used for COVID-19. In Group 1 (n = 29), 93.1% of COVID-19 participants survived at day 14, compared to 81.2% survivors in Group 2 (n = 16) (p = 0.33) and 68.7% survivors in Group 3 (n = 32) (p = 0.02). While considering Group 3 as reference (hazard ratio (HR) = 1), the fully-adjusted HR for 14-day mortality was HR = 0.07 (p = 0.017) for Group 1 and HR = 0.37 (p = 0.28) for Group 2. Group 1 had longer survival time than Group 3 (log-rank p = 0.015), although there was no difference between Groups 2 and 3 (log-rank p = 0.32). Group 1, but not Group 2 (p = 0.40), was associated with lower risk of OSCI score ≥5 compared to Group 3 (odds ratio = 0.08, p = 0.03). Conclusions. Regular bolus vitamin D supplementation was associated with less severe COVID-19 and better survival in frail elderly.

The effect of regular fitness training, sex hormones, and turnover of selected bone markers on sclerostin levels in young women.

Regular physical activity (PA) is a recognized factor stimulating bone formation. In recent years, osteocytes have been shown to be involved in the metabolism of bone tissue in addition to osteoblasts and osteoclasts. The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of regular fitness training, sex hormones, and selected bone turnover markers on sclerostin levels in young women. The cross-sectional study involved 78 women including 39 who regularly engaged in fitness training (for 1 h three times a week for 3 months) and 39 leading a sedentary lifestyle. Anthropometric measurements and glucose, lipids, insulin, estradiol, testosterone, free testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), vitamin D, osteocalcin, β isomer of C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTx) and sclerostin levels were measured. Activity of women (study group) who were on a high level of PA ranged between 2262 and 6606 MET/min/week (mean, 3843.16; SD = 1230). All of the control group were on low level of PA (198-1617 MET/min/week; mean, 841.06; SD = 302.01). Significantly higher levels of iPTH and β-CTx were observed in the study than in the control group (p < 0.01). We did not observe differences in vitamin D (p > 0.12), osteocalcin (p > 0.23), or sclerostin levels (p > 0.37) between groups. There were significant negative correlations between log10 sclerostin and log10 DHEA levels (r = -0.24; p < 0.05). A multivariate stepwise backward linear regression model for sclerostin as an independent variable, with the explanatory variables physical activity, estradiol, testosterone, and DHEA levels, did not reveal any effect on changes of sclerostin levels. The model with the explanatory variables vitamin D, iPTH, β-CTx, and osteocalcin also did not show effects on changes of sclerostin levels. Our results show that regular fitness training, sex hormones, vitamin D, iPTH, β-CTx, and osteocalcin did not influence circulating sclerostin levels in young women.

Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency among University Students in Uşak, Turkey

Vitamin D deficiency is now recognized as a pandemic with implications for multi-organ systems including bone health and immunological processes. Low levels have been associated with several chronic and infectious diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among university students in Usak, Turkey. This cross-sectional study included 100 (44 male and 56 female) university students between January 2020 to February 2020. Demographics, medical history, sunlight exposure, dietary vitamin D intake, body mass index of each individual were recorded in face-to-face interviews. Subjects with known metabolic conditions affecting vitamin D metabolism were excluded. Vitamin D nutritional status was assessed as deficient if 25(OH)D levels were &lt;20ng/mL, insufficient if between 20 and 30 ng/mL, sufficient if ≥30 ng/mL, while &lt;10ng/mL was considered as severe. The mean age for all students was 20.18±1.77(18-30) years. The mean serum 25(OH)D level was 11.60±9.81 among all students (12.22 ± 5.40 ng/mL in males, 11.11±12.24 ng/ml in females). 91 students (91%) were assessed as vitamin D deficient (92.86% among female, 88.64% among male, P &gt;.05). Prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency among male students were 11.36 and 88.64%, respectively. Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent among medical students included in this study and its deficiency especially among female students is alarmingly prevalent. Absence of vitamin D fortified foods in Turkish market is shortcoming. Therefore, preventive strategies parallel to regular vitamin D fortified food consumption is seriously recommended.

Dietary supplementation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol increases tibial mass by suppression bone resorption in meat ducks.

Leg problems often result from the rapid weight gain and poor bone quality in modern ducks, leading to a high risk of fractures and continuous pain. We hypothesized that improving bone quality in combination with delaying weight gain via a low nutrient density (LND) diet probably reverses these skeletal abnormalities. Studies indicated that 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3), a vitamin D3 metabolite, is effective in treating bone-related disorders. Therefore, Exp. 1 evaluated the effects of 25-OH-D3 on tibial mass of meat ducks. Male meat ducklings were fed a standard nutrient density diet (containing a regular vitamin regimen) without or with 25-OH-D3 at 0.069 mg/kg for 35 d. The results showed that 25-OH-D3 supplementation improved the mineral content, microarchitecture and mechanical properties of tibias, and this companied by a decreased serum bone resorption marker and a concomitant decrement in osteoclast-specific marker genes expression. Subsequently, Exp. 2 was conducted to examine the impacts of 25-OH-D3 incorporating an LND diet on tibial quality of ducks under 2 different vitamin regimens (regular and high). Ducklings were allocated to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with 2 kinds of vitamin premixes and without or with 25-OH-D3 at 0.069 mg/kg in LND diets. The high premix had higher levels of all vitamins except biotin than the regular premix. The results demonstrated that high vitamin diets exhibited more significant effects than regular vitamin diets on inhibiting bone turnover and increasing minerals deposition. Tibial mineral content, microarchitecture, and strength of birds under the regular vitamin regimen were increased by 25-OH-D3 supplementation; However, these positive effects were not observed in ducks under the high vitamin regimen. To conclude, 25-OH-D3 supplementation improves tibial mass by suppressing osteoclast-mediated bone resorption in meat ducks, and this positive impact only was observed in regular but not high vitamin regimen when birds fed an LND diet.

Effect of exercise and vitamin D on insulin like growth factor-1 level and skeletal muscle autophagy in diabetic rats

Background: diabetic myopathy is one of chronic complications of diabetes mellitus, which is evidenced by muscle weakness and atrophy. In our research we aimed to evaluate the protective role of exercise and vitamin D on diabetic induced changes in the skeletal muscles. Methods: Fourty male Sprague Dawely rats were divided into control, diabetic, exercised diabetic, vitamin D treated diabetic and combined exercise and vitamin D diabetic rats. Fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, serum IGF-1 level as well as the contractile properties of soleus and tibialis anterior muscles were measured. Also western blot analysis for measuring (LC3) and histopathological examination of both muscles were done. Results: in diabetic rats, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR and LC3 (microtubule associated protein-1 light chain-3) expression in muscles were increased whereas serum IGF-1 level was decreased and the contractile properties of skeletal muscles were deteriorated. Vitamin D treatment decreased fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR and expression of LC3 but it increased serum IGF-1 with improvement in the skeletal muscles contractility. Also exercised diabetic rats revealed improvement in all biochemical parameters, autophagy marker expression with further improvement in the skeletal muscles contractility. Combining exercise and vitamin D treatment showed a more improvement in all studied parameters and the histopathological examination confirmed our results. Conclusion: regular exercise and vitamin D protect the muscles from diabetic induced lesions by improving glycemic state, serum level of IGF-1and suppressing autophagy which finally reflected on the contractile parameters of the muscles.

Effect of Regular Resistance Exercise, Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements in Pre-menopausal Period on the Bone Mineral Density in Rats

Introduction: Menopause is the natural termination of menstruation, which affects the quality, and important aspects of women life. The aim of this study was to investigate regular resistance training along with vitamins D and calcium intake in the pre-menopausal period on bone mineral density (BMD) in rats. Methods: In this experimental study, the rats were randomly divided into control groups, placebo, vitamin D, calcium, resistance training, vitamin D + calcium, vitamin D + resistance training, calcium + resistance training, vitamin D + calcium + resistance training. Control and placebo groups were fed with a standard diet and sesame oil, respectively. Ovariectomy was done after two months of resistance training (Ex), calcium (35 mg/kg) and vitamin D (10000 IU) administration. BMD and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to examine bone total diameter and osteoclast and osteocyte cell numbers. The statistical analysis was done by a one-way analysis of variance (SPSS 20). Results: There was an increasing trend in BMD lumbar of the Ex group (P&lt;0.001) in comparison with the control group. The amount of bone mineral in the whole body in calcium and calcium + resistance groups was higher than the control group (P &lt;0.05). BMC total in the vitamin D, calcium + resistance training, vitamin D + resistance training and calcium + vitamin D + resistance-training groups was lower than the other groups. Osteoclast cell numbers were decreased in Ex, Vit D+Ex (P&lt;0.05), Ca+Vit D, Ca+Ex and Ex+Vit D+Ca groups (P&lt;0.001) compared to the control group, also, osteocyte numbers were decreased in VitD, Ca+Vit D (P&lt;0.05), Ex, Vit D+Ex, and Ex+Vit D+Ca groups (P&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Regular resistance exercise, vitamin D and calcium supplements in pre-menopausal period can improve BMD and BMC and delay the process of osteoporosis in postmenopausal period.