Plasma Vitamin Research Articles

Role of maternal and neonatal plasma vitamin D levels on development of neonatal sepsis in term infants

Background: Neonatal sepsis is characterized by signs and symptoms of infection with or without accompanying bacteremia in the first month of life and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. There is overwhelming experimental evidence that vitamin D has an important role in the regulation of both the innate and acquired immune systems. Therefore, low vitamin D status is expected to be one of the risk factors for neonatal sepsis. Methods: Between September 2016 and July 2018 term infants with clinical and laboratory findings of Neonatal Sepsis who were>37weeks of gestational age and were admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Sheri-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Soura, Srinagar and healthy infants (controls) who presented to our out-patient clinic for routine evaluation with no signs of clinical and laboratory infection were taken up for study. Blood for neonatal and maternal vitamin D levels was obtained from all infants and their mothers at the postpartum period at the time of hospital admission. Results: A total of 92 mother-neonatal pairs (46 cases and 46 controls) were enrolled in the study. In the study group the mean neonatal vitamin D level was 12.90 ng/ml and the mean maternal vitamin D level was 22.90 ng/ml. In the control group the mean neonatal vitamin D level was 25.99 ng/ml and the mean maternal vitamin D level was 37 ng/ml. Mean maternal and neonatal vitamin D levels were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group. Conclusions: There was a highly significant correlation between neonatal and maternal vitamin D levels in both study and control groups in our study. Thus, it was concluded that babies born to mothers with inadequate vitamin D levels have inadequate vitamin D levels.

Effect of Vitamin D on Fasting Blood Sugar and HbA1c in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

ABSTRACT:Objective: To evaluate the impact of vitamin D supplementation on fasting blood sugar & HbA1c in Type-2 diabetes mellitus patients.Methodology: This was an analytical case control study and was carried out by the Pharmacology Department at the Basic Medical Sciences Institute (BMSI, JPMC) with the collaboration of Diabetic OPD, JPMC, Karachi for the duration of 6 months. In this study 80 patients were selected by non-probability purposive sampling method and open EPI 3.01 version was used to estimate the sample size.Results: The study revealed that pre and post plasma vitamin D proportions in the intervention group were significant (P<0.001) as compared to the group labeled as control which did not show any difference at the end of study (P=0.16). However, there was an insignificant relationship between Vit D and HbA1c with no improvement observed in glycemic control (P=0.74) or HbA1c levels (P=0.20) in the intervention group.Conclusion: According to the study's findings, vitamin D addition has improved plasma vitamin D3 levels and improved insulin sensitivity in patients with T2DM. The current analysis did not find a significant contribution to reducing HbA1c or enhancing glycemic control in individuals with T2DM.

Placental expression and methylation of angiogenic factors in assisted reproductive technology pregnancies from India.

This study aims to examine the gene expression and DNA methylation patterns of angiogenic factors in the placentae of Indian women who underwent assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures and their association with maternal one-carbon metabolites and birth outcome. Placental gene expression and DNA methylation of angiogenic factors (VEGF, PlGF, FLT-1, KDR) in Indian women who underwent ART procedures (n = 64) and women who conceived naturally (Non-ART) (n = 93) was investigated using RT-qPCR and Epitect Methyl-II PCR assay kits. Maternal plasma one-carbon metabolites were assessed by CMIA technology. Gene expression of FLT-1 and KDR was higher (p < 0.05) in the ART placentae. Placental global DNA methylation levels were higher (p < 0.01) and DNA methylation levels of VEGF promoter were lower (p < 0.05) in ART compared to non-ART women. Maternal plasma folate and vitamin B12 levels were higher (p < 0.01) in the ART group. Gene expression of PlGF was negatively associated with maternal plasma folate (p < 0.05) whereas KDR was positively associated with maternal plasma homocysteine (p < 0.05). Gene expression of KDR was positively associated with chest circumference of the baby (p < 0.05). Hypomethylation of VEGF and increased expression of FLT-1 and KDR was observed in the placentae of women who underwent ART procedure.

Exploring the relationship between vitamin C deficiency and protein-energy malnutrition in adult hospitalised patients: A cross-sectional study.

To explore the prevalence of vitamin C deficiency, 'undetectable' vitamin C status, and scurvy features, in adult hospitalised patients with protein-energy malnutrition diagnosed using validated malnutrition screening and assessment tools commonly used in clinical practice. This study included adult inpatients from four acute hospitals within a single Australian tertiary health service, over a 3.5-year period. A medical file review activity retrospectively determined malnutrition risk and diagnosis, via Malnutrition Screening Tool, Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, Subjective Global Assessment and Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria. Prevalence of vitamin C deficiency and scurvy features was examined in adult patients with plasma vitamin C levels <11.4 μmol/L and <5 μmol/L ('undetectable'), respectively. In the final cohort (n = 364), prevalence of vitamin C deficiency was 30.2%. Malnutrition was present in 76.1% and 79.8% of patients via Subjective Global Assessment (n = 310) and Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria (n = 342) respectively. Patients with high nutrition risk and those diagnosed with severe malnutrition had the highest prevalence of vitamin C deficiency, reported as 32.8% for malnutrition detected via Malnutrition Screening Tool (n = 244), 32.9% via Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (n = 222), 35.8% via Subjective Global Assessment (n = 106), and 34.2% via Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (n = 152). Scurvy features were associated with severe malnutrition in patients with 'undetectable' vitamin C status. Severely malnourished adult hospital patients have a high prevalence of vitamin C deficiency, and scurvy features in those with 'undetectable' vitamin C status. Leveraging existing malnutrition screening and assessment practices may support early identification of patients with vitamin C deficiency during hospitalisation.

Plasma vitamin levels and pathway analysis in boys with autism spectrum disorders

Abnormal feeding behaviors and inadequate nutrient intake of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been reported. This study aimed to examine the plasma vitamin status of boys with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to analyze the association between vitamin status and symptoms of ASD. A total of 45 boys with ASD (age = 3.25 ± 0.68 years) and 45 typically developing (TD) boys (age = 3.33 ± 0.66 years) were enrolled. The developmental levels were evaluated using the Gesell Developmental Schedules (GDS), the severity of ASD was evaluated using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). The plasma vitamin levels were determined using metabolomics method. The Vitamin B1, nicotinamide, pyridoxamine dihydrochloride and Vitamin E were found to be significantly higher in the boys with ASD compared with those without ASD. In addition, no significant differences in vitamin metabolic pathways were found between the ASD group and the TD group.The nicotinamide and pyridoxamine dihydrochloride concentration were found to be negatively correlated with GDS score. In comparison with TD boys, the plasma vitamin concentration of ASD boys was not insufficient. Further studies are required to investigate whether it is necessary to use vitamin nutritional supplements in children with ASD.

Pretreatment plasma vitamin D and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer: evidence from pooled analysis of cohort studies.

Biological evidence has revealed antitumor effect of vitamin D, but whether it could predict the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer (BC) patients remains inconclusive. The aim was to investigate the association between pretreatment vitamin D level and response to NAC and subsequent survival outcomes in BC patients. The authors systematically searched the Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases and clinical trial registries to identify relevant articles from inception to 8 October 2024. Eligible studies investigating the associations between pretreatment plasma vitamin D and response to NAC in BC patients were selected according to the predefined criteria, with the study characteristics extracted by two reviewers. The primary outcome was pathological complete response (pCR), while overall pathological response and event-free survival (EFS) were adopted as secondary outcomes. Summary effect estimates of odds ratios (ORs) or hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs were pooled using a random-effects model. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed based on study characteristics and methodological quality. Six retrospective cohort studies involving 1291 BC patients were included. The authors observed a significant association between pretreatment vitamin D deficiency and 50% increased odds of non-pCR after NAC (OR=1.50, 95% CI: 1.11-2.03, P=0.008) with no heterogeneity (I2=0%). The authors also identified a significant association of vitamin D with the overall pathological response (OR=1.33, 95% CI: 1.01-1.75, P=0.046). A similar association with EFS (HR=1.27, 95% CI: 0.92-1.75, P=0.139) was also noted although the effect estimate was not statistically significant. Sensitivity analyses based on methodological quality showed consistent findings. Pretreatment vitamin D deficiency is associated with an inferior response to NAC in BC patients. Our meta-analysis advocates further prospective studies with large sample sizes before vitamin D supplementation could be administered to improve NAC response and subsequent prognosis of BC patients.

Evaluation of Nutritional and Health Status in Captive Eastern Indigo Snakes (Drymarchon couperi) in Response to Formulated Sausage Diet.

The federally threatened eastern indigo snake (EIS; Drymarchon couperi) is an active ophiophagous snake once found throughout the southeastern US that is now restricted to southeastern Georgia and peninsular Florida. There are concerns regarding the potential impact of overconditioning or nutrient imbalances on the reproductive fitness of breeding programs due to the occurrence of dystocia in nulliparous dams and the differing nutritional profiles of domestic and free-range prey species. We examined the blood cell counts, plasma biochemistry, and circulating plasma levels of nutrients in snakes consuming standard or experimental diets over a one-year period. Treatments included mixed whole laboratory animal prey (rodents, birds), whole prey ground into sausage, or a sausage with similar nutrient profiles measured in prey found in free-ranging EIS stomach contents. Plasma concentrations of vitamin E (maximum = 0.80 mg/mL) and selenium (maximum = 371 ng/mL) were within range of and exceeded values reported in free-ranging EIS (0.0365 mg/mL and 107.45 ng/mL), while plasma vitamin D3 concentrations (maximum = 64.1 ng/mL) were typically below minimum values observed in free-ranging EIS (46 ng/mL). Additional dietary studies initiated on juvenile subjects throughout reproductive maturity would provide an ideal experimental design for studying the linkage between reproductive health and nutrition.

What is the ideal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) threshold value in congenital hypothyroidism screening? Twin study.

Congenital hypothyroidism is the most common preventable cause of intellectual disability. Therefore, the majority of developed countries have aimed to diagnose cases early through screening programs. In these screening programs, levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine are examined in dried blood spots taken between days 3 and 5 of life. While many countries accept TSH threshold value of 8 mU/L, there is still no consensus on the ideal TSH threshold value. As no twin studies on the TSH threshold value have been conducted previously, this study was planned. Eight pairs of twins were included in the study, with one of the twins having plasma TSH value ≥8 mU/L and the other <8 mU/L, measured between days 3 and 5 of life. The study aimed to investigate whether determining threshold TSH value of 8 mU/L would be beneficial by comparing somatic growth, mental development, and neuromotor development between twins. The age, gender, gestational weeks, birth weights, height, weight, and initial TSH values taken between days 3 and 5 of all cases were recorded. The patients' plasma Vitamin B12, folate, 25-OH Vitamin D, ferritin, and hemoglobin levels were measured. After that, they were evaluated by a child and adolescent psychiatry. Finally, the Denver Developmental Test was applied to the cases. There was no significant impairment in somatic growth, mental development, and neuromotor development in the long-term outcomes of cases with plasma TSH ≥ 8 mU/L compared to those with plasma TSH < 8 mU/L among the twins participating in our study.

Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with and without Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Background: Vitamin D has a role in the body's calcium balance and immunodeficiency effects, and stimulates dendric cells, monocytes, T cells, macrophages in pathogenic microbes’ elimination. The variation occurrence as polymorphism on VDR might cause problem in production, transportation, and activity of vitamin D. The gap between the occurrence findings in previous studies shows that there are indication factors of VDR levels that probably associate with the T2DM range in comorbid with pulmonary tuberculosis. To determine vitamin D levels and factors associated with vitamin D deficiency in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients with and without pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB). Method: The design of this study was cross-sectional. T2DM subjects with pulmonary TB were 45 people, and 43 people without pulmonary TB were 43 people. Sampling was done by consecutive sampling from October to December 2017. We collected data through interviews and examination of plasma vitamin D (25-OH) levels by ELISA. Data analysis using the Mann-Whitney test, and chi-square test with a confidence level of 95%. Result: There were 88 T2DM patients who met the inclusion criteria, consisting of 43 T2DM patients without pulmonary TB and 45 T2DM patients with pulmonary TB as the study subjects. There were differences in the distribution of T2DM subjects based on sex and BMI measurements. The mean plasma vitamin D levels in T2DM with pulmonary TB and T2DM without pulmonary TB were 20.08 ng/ml (SD ± 0.83 ng/ml) and 20.29 ng/ml (SD ± 0.81 ng/ml), respectively, we found no significant result in statistic (p = 0.287). Vitamin D deficiency was not associated with the incidence of pulmonary TB in T2DM, whereas female sex, age&gt; 50 years, BMI ? 25.0 kg /m2, and duration of T2DM&gt; 5 years were associated with vitamin D deficiency (p &lt;0.05). This research has contributed in novel findings of the correlation between sex and BMI associated in duration of T2DM impacted the Vitamin D insufficiently. Conclusion: Sex, age, BMI, and duration of T2DM had a significant correlation with vitamin D deficiency in T2DM patients with and without pulmonary TB.

Effects of daily almond consumption on glycaemia in adults with elevated risk for diabetes: a randomised controlled trial.

The purpose of this study was to examine the potential for sustained almond consumption to reduce HbA1c concentrations among individuals with elevated values. A 16-week randomised, parallel-arm, controlled trial was conducted. Eighty-one adults with elevated HbA1c concentrations (> 5·7 %) were randomly assigned to incorporate 2 oz of raw almonds (A: n 39) or energy-matched snacks (C: n 42) into their daily diets. Body weight, body composition, plasma lipids, HbA1c, plasma vitamin E, glycaemia (by meal tolerance test and continuous glucose monitoring), dietary intake and hedonic responses to test foods were measured at stipulated time points. Participants consuming almonds ingested 253 kcal/d more than participants in the control group (P = 0·02), but this did not result in a significant difference in body weight. No statistically significant differences were observed in HbA1c concentrations, blood chemistries, body composition or glycaemia over time or between groups. However, Healthy Eating Index scores improved within the almond group as compared with the control group (P < 0·001). Additionally, the hedonic rating of almonds within the almond group did not decline as markedly as the control group's reduced liking of the pretzel snack. Alpha-tocopherol increased significantly, and gamma tocopherol tended to decrease in the almond group, indicating compliance with the dietary intervention. Overall, daily ingestion of 2 oz of raw almonds in a self-selected diet for 16 weeks did not alter short-term or longer-term glycaemia or HbA1c concentrations in adults with elevated HbA1c concentrations, but they were well-tolerated hedonically and improved diet quality without promoting weight gain.

Взаємозв’язок активності ферментативної та неферментативної ланок антиоксидантної системи організму залежно від тонусу автономної регуляції

The purpose of the study is to establish the nature of the influence of autonomic nervous regulation on the activity of the antioxidant defense system of broiler chickens. For the study of autonomic nervous regulation, Cobb 500 chickens crossbred were used. Autonomic nervous regulation was studied by variation pulsometry in chickens 30-35 days old, after which reference representatives of three types of tone of autonomic regulation were selected: sympathicotonic, normotonic and vagotonic. It was established that the average value of superoxide dismutase activity in sympathicotonic chickens is statistically higher than in normotonic chickens, which indicates a more active oxygen consumption in sympathicotonic chickens. As a result, the formation of superoxide radical increases, which requires more superoxide dismutase to accelerate its neutralization. In 60-day-old sympathicotonic chickens, indicators of superoxide dismutase activity remain at a lower level than in normotonic chickens, and in vagotonic chickens, a downward trend is noted. The indicator of glutathione peroxidase with the predominance of the sympathetic department of autonomic regulation is statistically lower than vago- and normotonic. A correlation was determined between superoxide dismutase and retinol level in 35-day-old normotonic chickens, which indicates the mutual coordination of the work of the enzymatic and non-enzymatic link of the antioxidant system under the condition of balanced autonomous regulation. However, with age, the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system increases the influence on the relationship between superoxide dismutase and retinol in vagotonic chickens, in contrast to normotonic ones. It was found that the level of relationships between catalase and tocopherol increases with age in chickens with a vagotonic type of autonomous regulation. It has been proven that the level of tocopherol and retinol in 35-day-old vagotonic chickens is higher than that of normotonic chickens. Hens of the sympathicotonic and normotonic groups had a lower level of tocopherol in the blood plasma than in vagotonic hens. The level of retinol in the blood plasma of chickens with vagotonic type of autonomous nervous regulation is higher than that of normotonic and sympathicotonic chickens. This indicates the highest level of antioxidant protection in vagotonic chickens, which forms a solid foundation for higher immune status and growth in such birds.

Circulating Levels of Vitamins A, C, and E-Alpha in Organ Donors After the Neurologic Determination of Death.

The antioxidant effects of vitamins may attenuate the oxidative stress on organs imposed by ischemia-reperfusion injury during the process of organ transplantation from brain-dead donors. Circulating levels of vitamins A, C, and E-α in donors after brain death and their relationships to donor demographics, management, organ utilization, and recipient outcomes are largely unknown. An observational, prospective, cohort study of 84 consecutive brain-dead organ donors managed at a single organ procurement recovery center was conducted. Vitamin levels were drawn immediately prior to procurement. Levels of serum vitamins A and E-α and plasma vitamin C were below normal in 80%, 85%, and 92% of donors and deficient in 40%, 62%, and 63%, respectively. Vitamin C deficiency was associated with a longer time between death and specimen collection (P = .004). Death from head trauma and stroke were associated with lower levels of vitamin A than from anoxic causes (P = .003) and smokers had greater vitamin C deficiency (P = .03). During donor management, vitamin C deficiency was associated with longer vasopressor support (P = .03) and normal levels of vitamin E-α were associated with reaching a lower alanine transferase compared to those with subnormal levels (P < .05). Donors deficient in vitamin E-α were less likely to have a liver recovered for transplantation (P = .005). Vitamin levels were not associated with the recipient outcomes examined. Circulating vitamins A, C, and E-α is profoundly low in brain-dead organ donors, associated with relevant demographic features of the donor, and may influence donor management and organ utilization.

The relationship between bone mineral density, vitamin D level, and sleep quality in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: a relation-seeker type study.

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between bone mineral density, vitamin D level, and sleep quality in female patients with osteoporosis. This descriptive correlational study included a total of 318 women diagnosed with osteoporosis. The data were collected using a patient identification form, including items for the plasma vitamin D level and bone mineral density score obtained by the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry method, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The mean age of the women was 56.49±5.68 years, and their femoral neck T mean score, an indicator of bone mineral density, was -2.94±0.31. Only 6.3% of the women had adequate vitamin D levels. In addition, according to their Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores, 85.8% of the women had poor sleep quality. In the study, no significant difference was found between the women's bone mineral densities and vitamin D levels according to sleep quality (p>0.05). However, there was a weak negative correlation between the duration of osteoporosis, body mass index, and sleep quality (p<0.05). There was no association between the vitamin D level, bone mineral density, and sleep quality, but the duration of osteoporosis was negatively associated with sleep quality. Accordingly, it may be recommended to provide education and counseling to postmenopausal women diagnosed with osteoporosis on issues such as sunbathing, vitamin D and calcium preparation intake, weight control, and non-pharmacological treatment approaches by making necessary individual-specific plans to improve sleep quality.

Vitamin B12 responsive developmental and epileptic encephalopathy due to a novel mutation in the FUT2 gene: a case report

BackgroundVitamin B12 deficiency is a recognised cause of neurological manifestations, including peripheral neuropathy, behavioural changes, and seizures. However, developmental and epileptic encephalopathy due to vitamin B12 deficiency is very rare. Here, we report an infant with vitamin B12-responsive developmental and epileptic encephalopathy due to a novel mutation in the fucosyltransferase 2 (FUT2) gene responsible for vitamin B12 absorption.Case presentationAn 11-month-old girl of non-consanguineous parents presented with recurrent episodes of seizures since four months. Her seizures started as flexor epileptic spasms occurring in clusters resembling infantile epileptic spasms syndrome with hypsarrhythmia in the electroencephalogram. She was treated with multiple drugs, including high-dose prednisolone, vigabatrin, sodium valproate, levetiracetam and clobazam, without any response, and she continued to have seizures at 11 months. She had an early developmental delay with maximally achieving partial head control and responsive smile at four months. Her development regressed with the onset of seizure; at 11 months, her developmental age was below six weeks. On examination, she was pale and had generalised hypotonia with normal muscle power and reflexes.Her full blood count and blood picture revealed macrocytic anaemia with oval and round macrocytes. Bone marrow aspiration showed hypercellular marrow erythropoiesis with normoblastic and megaloblastic maturation. Due to the unusual association of refractory epilepsy and megaloblastic anaemia, a rare genetic disease of the vitamin B12 or folate pathways was suspected. The whole exome sequencing revealed a homozygous missense variant in exon 2 of the FUT2 gene associated with reduced vitamin B12 absorption and low plasma vitamin B12 levels, confirming the diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. She was started on intramuscular hydroxocobalamin, for which she showed a marked response with reduced seizure frequency.ConclusionWe report a novel variant in the FUT2 gene associated with vitamin B12-responsive developmental and epileptic encephalopathy and megaloblastic anaemia. This case report highlights the importance of timely genetic testing in children with refractory developmental and epileptic encephalopathy to identify treatable causes.

Plasma vitamin D levels are correlated with the pathogenesis of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1-associated diseases.

The active form of vitamin D (VD) exerts hormonal effects by regulating the expression of genes involved in T-cell activity, cell differentiation, and proliferation. Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a causative agent of life-threatening diseases, adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM). Among ATL patients, hypercalcemia is one of the most serious complications due to bone resorption. In this study, wild-type mice administered UV-irradiated HTLV-1-infected cells showed up to 47% decrease of plasma VD level compared with untreated mice. To clarify the effect of HTLV-1 on plasma VD level, 315 samples registered in nationwide cohort study on ATL onset were measured. The VD level in HAM (14.98 ± 8.5 ng/mL) was significantly lower than those in asymptomatic carriers and ATL (p < 0.05). Upon comparing the VD levels in ATL stratified by disease subtypes, acute ATL showed a lower level (15.81 ± 12.0 ng/mL) than chronic and smoldering types (p < 0.05). In the longitudinal observation, VD levels were significantly higher in untreated spontaneous remission cases than in ATL progression cases, in which the VD levels decreased approximately 40% after onset. In cases of relapse after transplantation, the plasma VD level dropped to 38.7% of the pre-relapse level, while in cases of complete remission, the VD level increased with improvement of the performance status. Taken together, these results suggest that plasma VD level is a potential indicator for the onset and relapse of HTLV-1-associated diseases.

Understanding the additional impact of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus on vitamin C requirements in people living with obesity

Obesity and diabetes are known to negatively affect vitamin C status. However, whether the presence of diabetes, in addition to obesity, contributes an additional impact on vitamin C status is currently uncertain. In a cohort of 152 adults living with obesity, we assessed metabolic and nutrient parameters in participants without diabetes (n = 92), and with prediabetes (n = 22) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM; n = 35). Vitamin C concentrations were measured in plasma and leukocytes using HPLC and vitamin C intakes were assessed using 24-hour dietary recall. Metabolic severity scores were derived using gender, ethnicity, height, weight, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, HDL, and triglyceride values. In people living with obesity, those with prediabetes and T2DM had increased metabolic dysregulation and decreased vitamin C status relative to those without diabetes (P < .05). Vitamin C deficiency was observed in a high proportion (23%-32%) of participants with prediabetes and T2DM and ≥50% had hypovitaminosis C. However, there was no difference in vitamin C intake between those without diabetes and those with prediabetes or T2DM (P > .05). There was a significant inverse correlation between plasma vitamin C status and metabolic severity score (r = -0.290, P < .001). Linear regression indicated that for every 1-unit increase in metabolic severity score, there was a 6.5 µmol/L decrease in vitamin C status. Thus, the enhanced metabolic dysregulation observed with prediabetes and T2DM is associated with an increased demand for vitamin C in people living with obesity.

Association of vitamin D status and vitamin D receptor polymorphism in diabetic foot ulcer patients: A prospective observational study in a South-Indian tertiary healthcare facility.

Objective of the study was to find the association of vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms (Fokl, Taql and Apal) with vitamin D levels in diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) patients in South India. In this case-control study, plasma vitamin D levels and VDR genotype frequencies of 70 cases (DFU patients) were compared with 70 diabetic (diabetes mellitus [DM] [non-DFU]) patients and 70 apparently healthy controls (HC) from South India. Plasma vitamin D levels were measured using the ELISA technique, and genotyping of VDR polymorphisms was carried out using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression was used to find the association between DFU versus HC and DFU versus DM traits. Association analysis was performed based on additive, dominant and recessive models with age and gender as covariates. A 45.7% of DFU patients have sufficient vitamin D levels than 48.6% and 40% of DM patients and HC, respectively. Linkage disequilibrium analysis for DFU versus HC and DFU versus DM traits shows that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) Taq1 (rs731236) and Apal (rs7975232) are in strong linkage disequilibrium in DFU patients. The alleles and genotype frequencies were similar in all three groups. Although the additive model does not show statistical significance, age and sex correlate with the three SNPs (Fokl, Taql and Apal). No association was found between VDR gene polymorphisms and vitamin D levels in DFU patients in Southern India. On the other hand, age and sex correlate with the three SNPs.

Vitamin B12 status and skeletal muscle function among elderly: A literature review and pilot study on the effect of oral vitamin B12 supplementation in improving muscle function.

The objective of this study is to understand the role of vitamin B12 supplementation in improving skeletal muscle function among the elderly. A literature review in the Medline database was conducted to understand the association between vitamin B12 and muscle function in Section A. In Section B, 28 healthy elderly participants aged ≥60 years were recruited in a cross-sectional design for estimation of plasma vitamin B12 status and assessment of upper limb muscle strength Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and muscle quality (expressed as MVC/total muscle mass). Participants were grouped based on vitamin B12 status into vitamin B12-depleted (<148 pmol/L) and replete (≥148 pmol/L) groups. In a quasi-experimental study design, the vitamin B12-depleted group (n = 14) received daily oral vitamin B12 supplementation of 100 μg for 3 months. All the study measures were repeated post-supplementation. Vitamin B12 deficiency was identified to contribute adversely to muscle strength, quality, and physical performance among older people in the extensive literature review. The pilot intervention study showed significant improvement in MVC and muscle quality (p < 0.050) post-vitamin B12 supplementation, comparable to the vitamin B12-replete group. Vitamin B12 may have a crucial role in the maintenance of muscle function. 3-month oral vitamin B12 supplementation among subclinical vitamin B12 deficient elderly improved muscle strength and quality and reached levels similar to the vitamin B12 replete group.

First trimester prenatal metal mixtures, vitamins, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in the project viva cohort

BackgroundHypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) such as preeclampsia and gestational hypertension are major contributors to maternal and child morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have reported associations with selected metals and vitamins but are limited in sample size and non-prospective study designs. We evaluated prospective associations of metal mixtures with HDP and tested interactions by vitamins. Study DesignWe measured first trimester (median = 10.1 weeks) concentrations of essential (copper, magnesium, manganese, selenium, zinc) and nonessential (arsenic, barium, cadmium, cesium, mercury, lead) metals in red blood cells (n = 1,386) and vitamins (B12 and folate) in plasma (n = 924) in Project Viva, a pre-birth US cohort. We collected diagnosis of HDP by reviewing medical records. We used multinomial logistic regression and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression to estimate individual and joint associations of metals with HDP and interactions by vitamins, after adjusting for key covariates. ResultsThe majority of participants were non-Hispanic white (72.5 %), never smokers (68.5 %) with a mean (SD) age of 32.3 (4.6) years. Fifty-two (3.8 %) developed preeclampsia and 94 (6.8 %) gestational hypertension. A doubling in first trimester erythrocyte copper was associated with 78 % lower odds of preeclampsia (OR=0.22, 95 % confidence interval: 0.08, 0.60). We also observed significant associations between higher erythrocyte total arsenic and lower odds of preeclampsia (OR=0.80, 95 % CI: 0.66, 0.97) and higher vitamin B12 and increased odds of gestational hypertension (OR=1.79, 95 % CI: 1.09, 2.96), but associations were attenuated after adjustment for dietary factors. Lower levels of the overall metal mixture and essential metal mixture were associated with higher odds of preeclampsia. We found no evidence of interactions by prenatal vitamins or between metals. ConclusionLower levels of a first-trimester essential metal mixture were associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia, primarily driven by copper. No associations were observed between other metals and HDP after adjustment for confounders and diet.

Corrigendum: The effects of sex, season, and natural sunlight on plasma vitamin D3 levels in two chelonian species (Testudo hermanni, Trachemys scripta) and their interaction with calcium, phosphate, and magnesium as associated plasma compounds

Corrigendum: The effects of sex, season, and natural sunlight on plasma vitamin D3 levels in two chelonian species (Testudo hermanni, Trachemys scripta) and their interaction with calcium, phosphate, and magnesium as associated plasma compounds