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Результаты многочисленных исследований, проведенных с момента открытия витамина D (VD), подчеркивают его ключевую роль в регуляции обмена кальция и фосфора, обеспечении здорового метаболизма костной ткани. Необходимо подчеркнуть, что биологическая роль VD не ограничивается только лишь регуляцией костного метаболизма. Научные исследования последних двух десятилетий существенно расширили наши представления о роли VD в организме человека. Исследование внескелетных эффектов VD позволило обнаружить его способность влиять на генном и молекулярном уровне на синтез ряда факторов, которые участвуют в пролиферации и дифференцировке различных клеток и в регуляции их апоптоза. Нарушение регуляции витамином экспрессии вышеуказанных факторов увеличивает вероятность злокачественного роста различной локализации. Накопленные к настоящему времени данные свидетельствуют о важных эффектах VD на функционирование сердечно-сосудистой системы. Доказано, что низкая концентрация 25(OH)D является независимым фактором риска развития таких сердечно-сосудистых нарушений, как ишемическая болезнь сердца, инфаркт миокарда, сердечная недостаточность, инсульт, гипертензия. Многочисленные исследования подтверждают также роль витамина D в патогенезе сахарного диабета и развитии метаболического синдрома, включающего гипертонию, ожирение, инсулиновую резистентность и толерантность к глюкозе.За прошедшие 3 десятилетия накоплено огромное количество фактов, свидетельствующих о важном значении VD для иммунного ответа. Подтверждением значимости VD в иммунной регуляции являются данные о корреляции низких уровней VD с повышенной восприимчивостью к различным инфекциям, а также с развитием аутоиммунной и аллергической патологии.Таким образом, дефицит или недостаточность VD приобретает значимость предиктора развития широкого спектра патологических состояний, а также способствует увеличению показателей как общей смертности, так и летальности от сердечно-сосудистой патологии, онкопатологии и заболеваний органов дыхания.

The article describes the data on vitamin D metabolism. The causes and clinical picture of its deficiency, the role of the latter in the development of rickets, osteoporosis, some diseases of childhood are discussed. The guidelines on the treatment and prevention of vitamin D deficiency in the population of Central Europe countries relative to the recommended doses of vitamin D preparations are presented., В статье приведены данные о метаболизме витамина D. Рассматриваются причины и клиническая картина его дефицита, роль последнего в развитии рахита, остеопороза, ряда заболеваний детского возраста. Приведены данные методических рекомендаций по лечению и профилактике дефицита витамина D у населения стран Центральной Европы относительно рекомендованных доз препаратов витамина D., У статті наведені дані про метаболізм вітаміну D. Розглядаються причини й клінічна картина його дефіциту, роль останнього в розвитку рахіту, остеопорозу, ряду захворювань дитячого віку. Наведені дані методичних рекомендацій із лікування та профілактики дефіциту вітаміну D в населення країн Центральної Європи щодо рекомендованих доз препаратів вітаміну D.

Мета: вивчити частоту поліморфізму гена VDR у дітей із бронхіальною астмою та встановити кореляційні зв’язки з рівнем вітаміну D, кальцію й клінічними проявами захворювання в дітей. Матеріали та методи. У дослідженні взяли участь 42 дітини з бронхіальною астмою середнього або тяжкого ступеня, які перебували на обліку в Одеському міському алергологічному центрі. Середній вік дітей становив 7,6 ± 1,3 року. До групи контролю увійшло 20 здорових дітей без будь-якої соматичної патології на фоні гармонійного фізичного розвитку, середній вік становив 7,34 ± 0,36 року. Результати. Вивчення поліморфізму гена VDR у дітей із бронхіальною астмою показало наявність мутацій або гетерозиготного типу успадкування в більшості дітей із даною патологією, мутація була виявлена у 64,3 % обстежених, у 28,5 % хворих виявлено гетерозиготний тип спадкування, 7,2 % мали нормальний розподіл генів. У групі контролю мутації виявлені не були, тільки у 10 % здорових дітей виявлено гетерозиготний тип успадкування, 90 % обстежених мали нормальний розподіл генів. Також встановлений статистично значущий зв’язок між наявністю поліморфізму гена VDR і рівнем вітаміну D. Діти, що мають мутацію VDR, і діти, у яких був виявлений гетерозиготний тип успадкування, мали достовірно нижчий рівень вітаміну D3 в сироватці крові (12,10 ± 0,67 нг/мл і 13,53 ± 0,26 нг/мл відповідно), ніж діти з нормальним розподілом генів (32,17 ± 1,05 нг/мл), р < 0,01 для обох сукупностей. Критерій Пірсона показує, що зв’язок між факторною та результативною ознаками статистично значущий, р < 0,01, критерій χ2 = 9,21. Висновки. Вивчення поліморфізму гена VDR у дітей із бронхіальною астмою показало наявність мутацій або гетерозиготного типу успадкування у більшості дітей із даною патологією. При цьому встановлений статистично значущий зв’язок між наявністю поліморфізму гена VDR і рівнем вітаміну D.

Background: Low blood status in several nutritional compounds, including long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA), carotenoids, and vitamin D, have been associated with a higher risk to develop dementia. Nutritional deficiencies may potentiate each other regarding dementia risk; yet the association of multiple nutritional deficiencies with dementia has been little explored. Objective: To develop an index of micronutritional biological status (MNBS) for the screening of multi-micronutritional deficiencies associated with the risk of dementia in a prospective population-based cohort of older persons. Methods: We included participants from the Bordeaux Three-City study, who were free of dementia at baseline, had blood measurements of LC n-3 PUFA, carotenoids, and 25(OH)D, and who were followed for up to 18 years for dementia. We used penalized splines in Cox models to model dose-response relationships of each nutritional component with the risk of dementia and construct a risk index. Results: 629 participants with an average age of 73.1 years were included in the study. Each increase of 1 SD of the MNBS index was associated with a 46%higher risk of dementia (HR = 1.46, 95%CI 1.23; 1.73). Participants with highest index ([mean+1SD; max]) had a 4-fold increased risk of dementia compared with participants with a low index ([min; mean-1SD]) (HR = 4.17, 95%CI 2.30; 7.57). Conclusion: This index of assessment of micronutritional biological status is a practical tool that may help identify populations with inadequate nutritional status, screen eligible individuals for nutritional prevention in primary care, or for supplementation in preventive trials of dementia.

Infancy is a period of rapid bone growth and mineral accretion; nonetheless, reference data remain scarce for this age group. The purpose of this report is to generate reference data for bone mass in breastfed vitamin D replete infants and investigate patterns of bone mineral accretion and sex differences. This is a secondary analysis from a double-blinded randomized controlled trial (NCT00381914). Healthy term breastfed (exclusively or mixed) infants were randomized to different doses of oral vitamin D supplementation (400-1600 IU/d) and followed prospectively from 1 to 12 mo. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (LC-MS/MS), bone mineral content (BMC; whole body (WB) and lumbar spine (LS)) and bone mineral density (BMD; LS) were measured at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (Hologic Discovery 4500A) with no effect of supplementation on bone outcomes. For the purpose of this analysis, 63 infants with adequate plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D ≥ 50 nmol/L at baseline, were included. Differences over time and between sexes were tested using mixed model repeated measures ANOVA. Infants (31 males, 32 females) were 39.5 ± 1.1 wk gestational age at birth and appropriate for gestational age. WB BMC, LS BMC, and LS BMD increased by 143.2%, 116.8%, and 31.1% respectively across infancy. WB BMC was higher (4.2% - 9.4%; p = 0.03) in males than in females across the study. After adjusting WB BMC for weight, length or head BMC, sex differences were not evident. LS BMC and LS BMD did not vary by sex. LS BMD growth charts for both sexes combined, were generated using LMS chartmaker. WB BMC more than doubles during the first year of life confirming the importance of skeletal growth and the need for age-specific reference data in infancy. Sex differences in BMC, if any, are mostly driven by differences in body size.

Purpose: To quantitatively evaluate the retinal structural parameters of pediatric patients who were determined to be deficient in vitamin D. Design: Prospective, cross-sectional study. Methods: Retinal structural parameters, including the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), central macula, retinal layer, and choroidal thicknesses, central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE), and central retinal vein equivalent (CRVE), in pediatric subjects with vitamin D deficiency (group 1) and those without (group 2) were compared. Results: Group 1 comprised 70 individuals, while group 2 comprised 80 individuals. The mean peripapillary RNFL (except for the nasal superior sector [P = .037]), central macula, and retinal layer thicknesses were also determined to be similar in both groups (P > .05 for both groups). The mean choroidal thickness was lower in the subfoveal (P = .006) and nasal 3000-µm–diameter areas (P = .004) in group 1. The mean CRAE was determined to be lower (P = .031) and the CRVE was higher in group 1 (P = .005); it was determined that there was a significant correlation between the vitamin D level and both the CRAE (r = 0.447, P < .001) and CRVE (r = −0.320, P = .013). Conclusion: Choroidal thinning, a decrease in the CRAE, and increase in the CRVE were structural changes that occurred in the pediatric subjects who had vitamin D deficiency. The alterations in these parameters became more prominent in pediatric subjects who were determined to have lower vitamin D levels.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-05-01T09:47:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2022-01-01 This study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of vitamin D (VD) on the NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasomes in placental explants from preeclamptic (PE) and normotensive (NT) pregnant women. Placental explants from eight PE and eight NT pregnant women were cultured with or without hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), VD or H2O2 + VD. Gene and protein expression of NLRP1, NLRP3, HMGB1, caspase-1, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-18 were determined by qPCR and Western blotting/ELISA. Compared to NT pregnant women, the endogenous gene expression of NLRP1, NLRP3, HMGB1, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-18 was significantly higher in explants from PE and became decreased after VD treatment. Similarly, VD decreased the protein expression of NLRP1, NLRP3, caspase-1, HMGB1, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-18 in PE. Placental explants from NT cultured with H2O2 showed increased gene and protein expression of NLRP1, NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β, TNF-α and HMGB1, while H2O2 was also able to increase TNF-α and caspase-1 gene expression in PE. Treatment with H2O2 + VD decreased gene/protein expression of NLRP1, NLRP3, caspase-1, HMGB1, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-18 in PE and NT explants with H2O2. NLRP1 and NLRP3 are upregulated in the PE. VD may play an immunomodulatory role in the placental inflammation and downregulates oxidative stress induced in vitro by H2O2. Botucatu Medical School Sao Paulo State University (Unesp) Institute of Biosciences Sao Paulo State University (Unesp) Botucatu Medical School Sao Paulo State University (Unesp) Institute of Biosciences Sao Paulo State University (Unesp)

Aging of the immune system, or immunosenescence, alters the viral immune response in the elderly, especially when frailty exists. Research findings have demonstrated an imbalance in pro- and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, reduced production and diversification of T lymphocytes, and an alteration in immunovigilance and antibody synthesis. In this context, nutrition has a role in combating sarcopenia and frailty. Some food components that contribute to immune-competence are protein, vitamin D, n-3 fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins (vitamins C and E), zinc, selenium and iron. In times of a pandemic, nutritional recommendations for immune-competence in the elderly should be based on clinical studies. In this article, immunosenescence and its relationship to nutrition are addressed, including interventions studied in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background The role of vitamin D in depression has been gaining increased research interest. However, little is known about the independent associations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) and D2 (25(OH)D2) with depressive symptoms. The goal of this study was to examine the metabolites of vitamin D and their associations with depression. Methods This study was conducted in US females using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2014. Depressive symptoms were assessed using a nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire, and serum 25(OH)D3 and 25(OH)D2 levels were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Linear regression and generalized additive models were applied to evaluate the associations between 25(OH)D3, 25(OH)D2 and depression. Results A negative association between serum 25(OH)D3 and depressive symptoms was observed in the fully adjusted model. This association was also found among widowed, divorced, separated, and never-married individuals. The association between 25(OH)D2 and depressive symptoms was not statistically significant, but the dose-response analysis revealed an inverted U-shaped relationship between them with an inflection point at 56.2 nmol/L. To the left of the inflection point, we detected a positive association between 25(OH)D2 and depressive symptoms, whereas a negative association was observed to the right of the inflection point. Limitations The study used a cross-sectional approach, so causation cannot be determined. Conclusions Our study shows an inverse linear association between serum 25(OH)D3 and depressive symptoms in US females. The association between 25(OH)D2 and depression follows an inverted U-shaped curve with the inflection point at 56.2 nmol/L.

Purpose To evaluate the correlation between vitamin D level and erectile dysfunction (ED) in male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) patients. Materials and methods We analyzed data from 534 male patients who were tested for LUTS from 2014 to 2017. LUTS severity was classified into mild (≤7) or moderate to severe (≥8) based on total IPSS scores. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level of less than 20 ng/mL. The severity of ED was dichotomized into mild (≥17 points) or moderate to severe (≤16 points) depending on total IIEF-5 scores. The association of the serum 25(OH)D level with moderate to severe ED was assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results In the entire cohort, moderate to severe ED was significantly associated with age ≥60 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.762; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.011-3.073) and moderate to severe LUTS (OR, 2.075; 95% CI, 1.134-3.789), but not with serum 25(OH)D level (OR, 1.001; 95% CI, 0.979-1.023). Whereas, in the subgroup consisting of moderate to severe LUTS patients over 60 years (n=223), either low serum 25(OH)D level (OR, 0.944; 95% CI, 0.903-0.986) or vitamin D deficiency (OR, 2.949; 95% CI, 1.118-7.782) was the independent risk factor of moderate to severe ED as a result of each multivariate analysis. Conclusions Low vitamin D status closely correlated with moderate to severe ED in elderly men with moderate to severe LUTS.

Mechanisms linking ingested pollutants to increased incidence of allergy are poorly understood. We report that mice exposed to low doses of cadmium develop higher IgE responses following oral allergen sensitization and more severe allergic symptoms upon allergen challenge. The environmentally relevant doses of this pollutant also induced oxidative/inflammatory responses in the gut of SPF, but not germ-free mice. Interestingly, the increased IgE responses correlated with stimulation of the vitamin D3-metabolizing enzymes CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 in the gut and increased luminal levels of oxidized vitamin D3 metabolites that are not ligands of the vitamin D receptor. Inhibition of CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 via oral administration of pharmacological inhibitors reduced IgE responses induced in mice orally exposed to cadmium. Our findings identify local alteration of vitamin D signaling as a new mechanism for induction of IgE responses by environmental pollutants. They also identify vitamin D3-metabolizing enzymes as therapeutic targets for the treatment of allergy.

Objective To examine whether parathyroid hormone (PTH) is associated with mortality among U.S. adults. Methods This study included 8286 U.S. adults aged ≥20 years with a measurement of serum intact PTH from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2006 linked to national mortality data through 2015. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models were employed to estimate the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of all-cause and cause-specific (cardiovascular and cancer) mortality according to intact PTH levels (low or low-normal, 74 pg/mL). We also stratified the analyses by serum albumin-adjusted calcium and 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) levels. Results During a median follow-up of 10.1 years, the mean age was 49 years, and 48% were men. After adjusting for potential confounders, both the high-normal and high PTH groups showed higher risks of all-cause mortality than the low or low-normal PTH group (high-normal PTH, aHR, 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1.48; high PTH, aHR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.19-1.69]. When stratified by calcium and 25OHD levels, the association between high PTH and mortality was also found among participants with albumin-adjusted calcium levels of ≥9.6 mg/dL (aHR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.17-2.01) and those with 25OHD levels of ≥20 ng/mL (aHR, 1.46, 95% CI, 1.17-1.82). We found no evidence of the increased cause-specific mortality risks in the high PTH group. Conclusion Higher PTH levels were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, particularly among participants with albumin-adjusted calcium levels of ≥9.6 mg/dL or 25OHD levels of ≥20 ng/mL.

Compared with adult athletes, rather little is known about supplementation behavior in adolescent athletes. This study’s aim was to determine elite adolescent athletes’ supplement use and sources of information relating thereto. A total of 430 (87%) of 496 questioned athletes returned the anonymized questionnaire. Thereof, 84% consumed at least one weekly supplement and 97% indicated some supplement intake during the previous 4 weeks. On average, 13.3 supplement servings were consumed per week. The 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile was 4.5, 10.5, and 20.0 servings per week, with a maximum of 67. The most prevalent supplements in use were multimineral products (41% of all athletes), multivitamins (34%), Vitamin C (34%), and Vitamin D (33%). Male athletes consumed significantly more Vitamin C and D, sports drinks, protein powder, and recovery products compared with female athletes; whereas, women consumed more iron supplements. The three most important motives for supplement use were recovery support (40%), health maintenance (39%), and performance enhancement (30%). The most frequent answers to the question “who recommended that you use supplements” were family/friends (36%), a physician (27%), and a trainer/coach (25%). The main three information sources about the supplements in use were the persons who recommended the supplementation (56%), the internet (25%), and information provided by supplement suppliers (11%). A positive doping attitude was associated with the consumption of performance enhancing supplements (p = .017). In conclusion, this study among elite adolescent Swiss athletes indicates a widespread and large-scale use of dietary supplements, which was associated with a low level of information quality.

Introduction: Although psoriasis and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are associated with systemic inflammation, studies on their potential bilateral relationship are not sufficient. Aim: To investigate vitamin D levels and receptor gene polymorphisms in patients with OSAS and psoriasis and the associations with these diseases. Material and methods: One hundred thirty-seven patients included in the study consisted of 4 different groups: group 1, those with both diseases; group 2, those with OSAS only; group 3, patients with psoriasis only; and group 4, healthy controls. The patients??? serum calcium, phosphorus, AHI, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Psoriasis Area Severity Index, and VDR TagI, ApaI, BsmI polymorphisms were compared. Results: Vitamin D levels of groups 1, 2 and 3 were found to be lower than in controls. There was no statistically significant correlation between VDR TagI, ApaI, BsmI gene polymorphisms of the groups. Vitamin D levels were significantly higher in patients with heterozygous ApaI genotype (A/C) compared to patients with normal (A/A) or homozygous mutant (C/C) genotype (p < 0.05). No relationship was determined between VDR TagI, ApaI, BsmI, and the other parameters. Conclusions: In our study, 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 levels were significantly lower in all disease groups compared to the control group. Although there is no difference between the groups in terms of VDR gene polymorphism, we think that there may be a bidirectional relationship between these diseases based on the low vitamin D levels. Namik Kemal University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit [NKUBAP.02, 18.188] A this study was supported by Namik Kemal University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (Project Number NKUBAP.02.GA.18.188).

Problem The association between serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) level and asthma occurrence in children was controversial. Eligibility criteria The Pubmed, Ovid Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library were systematically searched up to April 13th 2020. All the study measured the serum 25-OHD level in children, or classified the children based on the 25-OHD level into severe vitamin D deficiency, insufficient deficiency and comparing the prevalence of asthma in childhood were included in our study. Sample A total of 35 studies were included in our meta-analysis. Among them, 24 studies were included for analyzing the association between 25-OHD level and asthma, and 12 studies evaluated the treatment effect of vitamin D. Results The children with asthma (5711 participants) had significant lower 25-OHD level than children without asthma (21,561 participants) (21.7 ng/ml versus 26.5 ng/ml, SMD = −1.36, 95% = −2.40--0.32, P = 0.010). Besides, the children with asthma treated with vitamin D supplement had a significantly lower recurrence rate than the placebo group (18.4% versus 35.9%, RR = 0.35, 95%CI = 0.35–0.79, P = 0.002). Conclusions Children with asthma had a lower 25-OHD level than healthy children. Vitamin D supplement could decrease the asthma recurrence rate in the follow-up years. Implications This study implies that lower 25-OHD may cause asthma in childhood.

Adequate vitamin D levels are particularly important in pregnant women for both the maternal and neonatal health. Prior studies have shown a significantly high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) among refugees. However, no study has addressed the prevalence of VDD in pregnant refugees and its effects on neonatal health. In this study, we examined the prevalence of VDD in refugee pregnant women living in Greece and compared our results with Greek pregnant inhabitants. Vitamin D deficiency was frequent in both groups but was significantly more common in refugees (92.2% vs 67.3% of Greek women, p=0.003) with 70.6% of refugees having severe hypovitaminosis D (

Objective Free concentrations of highly protein bound hormones, such as cortisol and thyroxine, are unchanged in critical illness despite substantial decreases in total concentration. Total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration is decreased in critical illness, but the free concentration of 25(OH)D has had less attention. The aim of this study was to compare total and calculated free 25(OH)D concentrations in critically ill patients with healthy controls. Design Case control study. Methods 38 patients with critical illness were compared with 68 healthy controls. 25(OH)D was measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS) and vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) by direct sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Total and calculated free 25(OH)D concentrations were compared using unpaired T-tests. Results Total 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly lower in critically ill patients than controls (37 (95% CI 31 - 43) vs 57 (53 - 60) nmol/L). Calculated free concentrations of 25(OH)D were not lower in critically ill patients than healthy controls (26 (22 - 29) vs 19 (18 - 20) pmol/L). Conclusions Calculated free 25(OH)D concentrations are not decreased in critical illness. Measuring total 25(OH)D concentrations in patients with critical illness potentially underestimates vitamin D and overestimates the number of patients who are deficient in vitamin D. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Aim To identify the association between vitamin D (VD) concentrations and the activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and determine a supplementation dose that allows patients to maintain adequate levels of VD. Methods Longitudinal, observational study. Serum levels of 25-hydroxy-VD were measured in 100 Paraguayan SLE patients from the Hospital de Clinicas between 2016 and 2018. To analyze the response to different doses of VD supplementation, 50 patients received 1000 IU/day and the other 50 patients received 2000 IU. SLE disease activity measured by SELENA-SLEDAIwas scored before and after supplementation. Results The mean age was 27.5 ± 9.8 years, 88.9% of patients presented mild disease activity and 11.1% presented moderate to severe activity. The mean VD concentration was 30.8 ± 11.8 ng/mL. A total of 34% of patients presented VD insufficiency and 13% VD deficiency. There was an inverse relationship between VD concentrations and SLE disease activity (p = 0.03). Increasing levels of serum VD are associated with supplementation of 2000 IU/day (p = 0.0224). Conclusion SLE activity was associated with low levels of VD. In our cohort, SLE patients required a supplementation dose equal to or greater than 2000 IU/day to increase their serum VD.

On a population basis multiple nutrient deficiencies are common in developing countries, whereas in developed countries obesity and vitamin D deficiency are important health issues. While nutrient deficiencies can lead to disease, the results of clinical trials investigating the influence of supplementing various nutrients such as essential fatty acids, iron, and vitamin A on upper respiratory disease have been mixed. Probiotics may have a role in the treatment of upper respiratory disease, but appropriate probiotic strain/strains, supplement timing, as well as the dosage and method of administration continue to be debated. In clinical practice, many patients report that a milk exclusion diet is beneficial in reducing respiratory mucus production; however, the scientific basis for this remains controversial. Increasing evidence indicates that zinc supplementation is beneficial in the management of upper respiratory infections. A number of clinical trials also indicate that vitamin D supplementation has a potential role in the prevention of upper respiratory disease. Optimal vitamin D levels and dosages remain to be determined.

Dietary factors account for a large proportion of human cancers, particularly overnutrition that results in weight gain and obesity. The evidence linking diet and cancer has been developing since the early 1900s, beginning with early laboratory studies and ecologic studies of cancer rates in different parts of the world. More modern epidemiologic methods, including case–control studies, cohort studies, and randomized controlled trials have helped define in detail the associations between specific dietary factors and cancer. Factors with strong links to an increased risk of various cancers include: overnutrition/obesity, alcohol, red meat, and salt. Factors with strong links to a decreased risk include: fruits, vegetables, fiber, vitamin D, calcium, and folate.

The proximal tubule reabsorbs the bulk of filtered salt and water and is the sole site for reabsorption of many solutes, such as low-molecular weight proteins, amino acids, organic acids, bicarbonate, phosphate, glucose and uric acid. Disorders of the proximal tubule can affect single, specific transport pathways, such as the various aminoacidurias or isolated glucosuria. Other disorders affect multiple pathways, such as Dent disease or Lowe syndrome. Finally, dysfunction can be generalized, so that it affects all transport pathways of the proximal tubule and this is referred to as Renal Fanconi syndrome. Biochemically, these conditions are characterized by the urinary loss of those substances failed to be reabsorbed and this can be used for diagnostic purposes. A common clinical consequence is rickets, due to the loss of phosphate and insufficient 1α-hydroxylation of vitamin D. Disorders of the proximal tubule can be inherited or acquired, and occur isolated or in the context of multi-organ syndromes. Delineating the etiology and precise diagnosis is key to the instigation of proper treatment. In this chapter, we will focus on those disorders that affect multiple or all transport pathways and review the clinical and biochemical features, the pathogenesis and the various diagnoses that need to be considered.

Background: The currently available bone turnover markers are mostly derived from osteoblasts or osteoclasts. Protein markers derived from osteocytes, the most abundant bone cells that can regulate bone turnover activities by other cells, are less explored. Objective: This study aimed to compare the circulating markers of osteocytes and calcium homeostasis between Malaysian postmenopausal women with and without osteoporosis. Method: Postmenopausal women with (n=20) or without osteoporosis (n=20) as determined by dual- energy X-ray absorptiometry were randomly drawn from a bone health cohort. Their fasting blood was collected and assayed by a multiplex immunoassay panel. Results: The results showed that osteoprotegerin and sclerostin levels were significantly lower among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis than the normal control. No significant differences in other markers were observed between the two groups. Sclerostin level correlated positively with spine Bone Mineral Density (BMD), while 25-hydroxyvitamin D correlated negatively with hip BMD in the control group. No significant correlation was observed between other markers with spine or hip BMD. Conclusion: These data provide an insight into the possible roles of osteocyte markers, especially osteoprotegerin and sclerostin, in classifying subjects with osteoporosis. However, the lack of association between these markers and BMD indicates that osteoporosis is a complex and multifactorial condition.

Human kidney organoids possess early glomerular and tubular function. However, little is known about their hormone producing ability. In this report, we show that kidney organoids take up and metabolize inactive 25(OH) vitamin D (25(OH)D3). Uptake of 25(OH)D3 led to a significant upregulation of vitamin D metabolizing CYP24A1 mRNA levels, indicating that kidney organoids possess a feedback mechanism to control active vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D3) levels. They therefore resemble the kidney in its regulation of vitamin D and illustrate the presence of the kidney endocrine system in organoids. These findings underscore the value of kidney organoids for research into the hormonal function of the kidney.

Background: Epidemiological data have shown that vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in Korea. Genetic factors influencing vitamin D deficiency in humans have been studied in Europe but are less known in East Asian countries, including Korea. We aimed to investigate the genetic factors related to vitamin D levels in Korean people using a genome-wide association study (GWAS).Methods: We included 12,642 subjects from three different genetic cohorts consisting of Korean participants. The GWAS was performed on 7,590 individuals using linear or logistic regression meta- and mega-analyses. After identifying significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we calculated heritability and performed replication and rare variant analyses. In addition, expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis for significant SNPs was performed.Results: rs12803256, in the actin epsilon 1, pseudogene (ACTE1P) gene, was identified as a novel polymorphism associated with vitamin D deficiency. SNPs, such as rs11723621 and rs7041, in the group-specific component gene (GC) and rs11023332 in the phosphodiesterase 3B (PDE3B) gene were significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency in both meta- and mega-analyses. The SNP heritability of the vitamin D concentration was estimated to be 7.23%. eQTL analysis for rs12803256 for the genes related to vitamin D metabolism, including glutamine-dependent NAD(+) synthetase (NADSYN1) and 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7), showed significantly different expression according to alleles.Conclusion: The genetic factors underlying vitamin D deficiency in Korea included polymorphisms in the GC, PDE3B, NADSYN1, and ACTE1P genes. The biological mechanism of a non-coding SNP (rs12803256) for DHCR7/NADSYN1 on vitamin D concentrations is unclear, warranting further investigations.

Background: Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is the most common form of adult-onset autoimmune diabetes. Isotretinoin is a very effective treatment for severe acne. There are various reports on the effect of isotretinoin on autoimmunity. We present a case of LADA, probably related to isotretinoin treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this case was the second case of LADA that occurred after isotretinoin treatment. Here we discuss a hypothesis on the pathophysiology of how isotretinoin can induce LADA. Case Presentation: A 55-year-old female was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) one month after the end of a nine-month isotretinoin treatment period. At the time of diagnosis, the patient’s fasting blood glucose level was 257 mg/dL and HbA1c level was 10.3%. Then, she was followed-up for T2DM for two years. Since the patient did not comply with classical T2DM characteristics and C-peptide level was 0.4 ng/ml (0.78-5.18), autoantibody test was performed. The patient was found positive for anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody (>2000 IU/mL). Her oral antidiabetic drug treatment was discontinued and insulin degludec and insulin aspart therapy was started. Three months after this adjustment, HbA1c level decreased to 7.2%. Except 25-hydroxycholecalciferol which was low (10.9 ng/mL), all other laboratory parameters were within normal range. Conclusion: Isotretinoin is known to have some immunomodulating effects. There are some case reports on the relationship between isotretinoin and autoimmune diseases. The negative immune environment that developed due to the long-standing moderate-severe VitD deficiency may have taken a turn toward autoimmunity upon isotretinoin treatment. This hypothesis on how isotretinoin can cause autoimmune diabetes needs to be validated.

Background: In Covid-19 infection, leukopenia, inflammation, and elevated liver enzymes are found in most patients. Also, vitamin D deficiency attenuates the immune system and predisposes a person to being more susceptible to infection. In this context, we aimed to evaluate vitamin D, electrolytes, complete blood count, liver enzymes, urea, creatinine, albumin, CRP and ESR levels in patients with Covid-19. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 118 patients with Covid-19 who were hospitalized from 2020/2/19 to 2020/4/3 in ICU. Serum levels of electrolytes, liver enzymes, blood factors, urea, creatinine, CRP and ESR, as well as anthropometric parameters and serum vitamin D concentration, were measured. Results: A total of 118 patients (80 male and 38 female) were enrolled in the study (65.05±15.75 years). Only 5.08% of patients had no risk factors and 55.9% had ≥ 2 risk factors. Diabetes (44.1%) and obesity (23.7%) were more common among patients. Laboratory findings showed that 80.50% of patients had hyponatremia, but other electrolytes including K, Mg, Ca and P were normal in the majority of participants as well as CBC, Cr, Urea, Alb, ALT and ALKP. The AST concentration increased in most patients (66.94%). All patients had high levels of inflammatory factors such as CRP and ESR. The mean of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels in participants (25.95 ± 14.56 ng/mL) was lower than its levels in the general population. However, it was not statistically significant (P= 0.88). A significant negative correlation was found between vitamin D and ALT (P= 0.02, -0.21) as well as vitamin D and CRP (P= 0.05, -0.17). Conclusion: Due to the regulatory role of vitamin D in the immune system and low levels of vitamin D in Covid-19 infected patients, the evaluation of vitamin D levels and prescribed supplements, if necessary, is suggested.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the frequency of hypovitaminosis D in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) compared to healthy controls and evaluate its association with disease activity, structural damage and Bone Mineral Density (BMD). Methods: Serum 25(OH) D in 30 AS male patients was compared to 30 matched healthy controls. AS disease activity was assessed using AS Disease Activity Score and C - reactive protein (ASDAS- CRP). Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI) and Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI) were used to assess the functional impairment and the spinal mobility, respectively. Radiological damage was scored according to modified Stoke AS Spine Score (mSASSS) and BMD was measured in the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Results: The mean serum 25(OH)D levels in AS patients were significantly lower compared to healthy controls (27.73 ± 14.27 vs. 38.46 ± 8.11ng/ml, P Conclusions: Hypovitaminosis D is prevalent among AS patients and is associated with increased risk of active disease, impaired function, radiographic severity and bone mineral loss. Future studies with a larger sample size are recommended to assess the impact of vitamin D deficiency on radiological progression in AS and to address whether or not vitamin D supplementation will help control the active disease.

OBJECTIVES Eating disorders (EDs) are severe psychiatric conditions characterized by malnutrition, dysfunctional behaviors, and hypovitaminosis D. In various psychiatric conditions, including EDs, preliminary evidence has correlated impulsivity to a low level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. This study aims to reinforce this evidence by examining different facets, both behavioral and psychological, of the impulsivity construct in patients with ED. METHODS A sample of 119 women was evaluated with a validated questionnaire and computerized neuropsychological tasks: the UPPS-P impulsive behavior scale, a go/no-go task, and the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART). A clinical evaluation for EDs and blood sample collection were also performed to assess specific psychopathology and determine the serum level of 25(OH)D. RESULTS Significant correlations were found between serum levels of 25(OH)D and BART scores (p = 0.012) and lack of perseverance (p = 0.034). Moreover, regression analyses showed that higher BART scores may be explained by hypovitaminosis D and higher levels of lack of perseverance in patients with EDs. CONCLUSIONS The specific aspect of impulsivity linked to goal strategy and behaviors may be explained in patients with EDs by hypovitaminosis D. A possible connection to the brain inflammatory system is also discussed, along with possible directions for future research.

Introduction: Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease. Vitamin D deficiency, often associated with osteoporosis and other bone tissue disorders, is spread worldwide. Among other factors, obesity seems to be a major cause of the growing hypovitaminosis D. The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and vitamin D concentrations in postmenopausal women diagnosed with osteoporosis. Materials and Methods: Sixty-nine women with postmenopausal osteoporosis were included in the study. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and vitamin D measures were performed in all patients. Three groups, BMI- dependent, were distinguished: normal weight, overweight and obesity group. Results: Vitamin D deficiency was found in all women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. There was no correlation between BMI and vitamin D level. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is frequent in the population of patients diagnosed with postmenopausal osteoporosis, regardless of their BMI.

OBJECTIVES To determine vitamin D supplementation frequency among children aged 1 to 24 months, factors that influence adherence, and reasons for discontinuation of initiated vitamin D. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire administered to the mothers via face-to-face interview of 560 children aged from 1 to 24 months admitted to outpatient clinics from June to December 2017. RESULTS A total of 351 children were administered vitamin D, and the rate of supplementation in the first year of life was 83%, while it was only 28% between 13 and 24 months. The rate of vitamin D supplementation was higher among exclusively formula-fed children (p

Purpose There is an ongoing debate whether vegetarian (VG) and especially vegan (VN) diets are nutritionally adequate in early childhood. Hence, the Vegetarian and Vegan Children Study (VeChi Diet Study) aimed to assess the food and nutrient intake of VG and VN infants. Methods The study examined the diets of 1–3-year-old VG, VN, and omnivorous (OM) children (n = 430). Dietary intake was assessed via a 3-day weighed dietary record and compared between groups using ANCOVA. Lifestyle data were collected using a questionnaire. Here, the results of micronutrient and fatty acid intakes are presented. Results Most nutrient intakes (with and without supplements) differed significantly between VN children and the two other groups, with a more favourable overall micronutrient intake in VN, followed by VG children, [e.g., the highest intake of vitamin E (8.3 mg/d vs. VG 7.4 mg/d and OM 5.1 mg/d), vitamin B1 (569 µg/d vs. VG 513 µg/d and OM 481 µg/d), folate (143 µg/d vs. VG 116 µg/d and OM 108 µg/d), magnesium (241 mg/d vs. VG 188 mg/d and OM 164 mg/d), and iron (8.9 mg/d vs. VG 7.3 mg/d and OM 6.0 mg/d)] as well as fat quality [highest intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (8.7 E% vs. VG 6.9 E% and OM 4.5 E%) and lowest intake of saturated fatty acids (9.1 E% vs. VG 11.9 E% and OM 14.0 E%)]. In contrast, OM children had the highest intake of vitamin B2 (639 µg/d vs. VG 461 µg/d and VN 429 µg/d), calcium (445 mg/d vs. VG 399 mg/d and VN 320 mg/d), iodine (47 µg/d vs. VG 33 µg/d and VN 31 µg/d), and DHA (35.4 mg/d vs. VG 16.6 mg/d and VN 18.4 mg/d). Without supplementation, OM children had the highest average vitamin B12 intake (1.5 µg/d vs. VG 0.6 µg/d and VN 0.2 µg/d), whereas VN children had the highest average vitamin B12 intake with supplementation (73.8 µg/d vs. VG 1.3 µg/d and OM 1.7 µg/d). Without supplementation, none of the groups’ median intakes met the harmonised Average Requirement (h-AR) for vitamin D and iodine. Moreover, VG and VN children did not achieve h-ARs for vitamin B2, vitamin B12, and iron—if a low absorption of iron is anticipated; VN children also did not do so for calcium. Conclusion In early childhood, VN and VG diets can provide most micronutrients in desirable amounts and a preferable fat quality compared to an OM diet. Special focus should be paid to (potentially) critical nutrients, particularly vitamin D, iodine, and DHA for all children regardless of diet, as well as vitamin B2, vitamin B12, calcium, and iron for VG and VN children. Trail registration This study was registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00010982) on (September 2, 2016).

Vitamin D is an important hormone that is known for the regulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism. Vitamin D deficiency leads to rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults leading to poor bone mineralisation and can also lead to serious dental complications in the same population. Recent studies have shown vitamin D to work as a hormone needed not only in bone and teeth but also in other body organs from intrauterine life up to old age. It has been demonstrated that Vitamin D has various effects on biological processes that deal with cell growth, differentiation, cell death, immune regulation, DNA stability, and neuronal growth. Despite being readily formed in the body through the intervention of the sun, patients are still found to have low vitamin D levels. We review studies done to show how vitamin D works.

Причини вторинного підвищення рівня паратгормона, особливо дефіцит вітаміну D, можуть істотно перешкоджати діагностиці гіперпаратиреозу. Найбільш складна ситуація виникає, коли помірне підвищення рівня паратгормона збігається з дещо підвищеним або нормальним рівнем кальцію в сироватці крові. Ураховуючи переважно хірургічний шлях лікування пацієнтів із первинним гіперпаратиреозом, важливо розрізняти дефіцит вітаміну D і справді первинний гіперпаратиреоз.Мета: розробити метод для диференціації первинного гіперпаратиреозу та вторинного гіперпаратиреозу, пов’язаного з дефіцитом вітаміну D.Матеріали та методи. Ми пропонуємо надійний стандартизований протокол короткострокового лікування ергокальциферолом (3000 МО на добу протягом 45–50 днів) для усунення впливу недостатності вітаміну D на лабораторні критерії первинного гіперпаратиреозу. Зменшення більше ніж на 30 % і нормалізація рівня сироваткового паратгормона без підвищення рівня кальцію сироватки виключають первинний гіперпаратиреоз і необхідність хірургічного втручання.Результати. Було вивчено клінічну групу з 72 відібраних пацієнтів, які відповідають критеріям помірно підвищеного рівня паратгормона, нормального або дещо підвищеного рівня кальцію, із дефіцитом вітаміну D, відсутністю хронічних захворювань нирок або порушення всмоктування. Після 45–50 днів введення вітаміну D у 61 пацієнта (85 %) спостерігали нормалізацію рівня паратгормона без гіперкальціємії. Вони були виключені з клінічної групи первинного гіперпаратиреозу. Ми не спостерігали в подальшому в цій групі випадків прогресування первинного гіперпаратиреозу. Решта пацієнтів (10 із 72) були успішно прооперовані з приводу первинного гіперпаратиреозу, крім одного, який відмовився від операції і досі залишається під наглядом.Висновки. Короткострокове лікування ергокальциферолом може бути цінним і надійним клінічним методом, що дозволяє диференціювати ізольований дефіцит вітаміну D і безсимптомний первинний гіперпаратиреоз, який поєднується з недостатністю вітаміну D.

The authors used the proposed method of mathematical and statistical processing of laboratory data (indicators of electrolyte metabolism and osteomarkers) of archived data of 82 patients with various bone diseases aged 9.90 ± 0.55 years compared the structural changes in the panel of ratios of individual electrolytes and the influence of individual indicators on them in personalized data, on the basis of which a conclusion was made about a single mechanism of coinciding influences in the exchange of bone tissue. At the same time, it was found that the complex of associated links detected by the vitamin influence on the panel of electrolyte ratios may differ signifcantly in some cases from each other. These differences consisted in highly pronounced differences in the activity of vitamin D in relation to various components of osteosynthesis and osteolysis, which are described in the modern literature. On this basis, the authors conclude that the used method (analytical system) allows to identify the functional connections of the dynamics of the indicator of vitamin D in individual cases with the dynamics of other indicators of bone, which signifcantly expands the informativeness of the results of laboratory examination of the patient in determining the leading systems the implementation of functional activity of the vitamin. The presented results justify the possibility of creating and describing different images of vitamin D-related changes in the plasma electrolyte composition, followed by their use in the identifcation of certain disorders of calcium metabolism and/or evaluating the effectiveness of the therapy used in each individual case.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency was associated with an increased risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Vitamin D deficient mothers are more likely to have infants with vitamin D deficiency, affecting their immunity and protection against infection. This study aimed at comparing the concentrations of vitamin D3 and T cell-related cytokines in milk between mothers with confirmed COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, mothers with viral infections suggestive of COVID-19, and mothers without infection. Materials and Methods: Concentrations of vitamin D3 and T cell-related cytokines in milk samples were determined by ELISA from 10 mothers who had a positive COVID-19 PCR test, 10 mothers with viral symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, and 20 mothers without infection. Results: Vitamin D3 concentration in human milk was higher in women without infection than in women with viral symptoms or COVID-19 PCR. Interleukin-2 level in milk was higher in the no-infection group than the COVID-19 PCR group but it did not differ with the viral symptoms group. Vitamin D3 did not correlate with any cytokines in human milk. Prenatal vitamin intake did not affect the vitamin D3 in human milk. The percentage of milk from mothers with

Since vitamin D's discovery, strenuous efforts to investigate its physiological exploit and deficiency on human health were done. Our body synthesizes fat‐soluble vitamin D when get exposed to sunlight. In recent years, experimental data indicate that sunlight exposure and an adequate level of circulating vitamin D can reduce the incidence of cancer. Several in vitro and in vivo studies also suggest vitamin D as a potentially valuable supplement for cancer treatment and prevention. Nevertheless, there need to be adequate clinical studies performed to substantiate the suppressive ability of vitamin D concerning cancer incidence. Thus, understanding the cellular mechanisms of vitamin D can be advantageous for preventing several chronic diseases. Consequently, this review concentrates on different studies that have been conducted to characterize the outcome of vitamin D in reducing cancer incidence and its medication by cellular progression mechanism.

Osteoporosis is an important problem in women's health, one of the consequences of which is bone fracture. This clinical trial was performed in 2015 on 99 (33 patients per group) postmenopausal women referred to the bone mineral densitometry center. The first group received one Agnugol tablet (contains 3.2-4.8 mg dry extract of Vitex agnus castus, the second group received three Salvigol tablets (each contains 100 mg Salvia officinal is dry extract daily and the third group three placebo tablets per day for 3 months. Calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D levels were compared before and after the intervention. Results of paired t-test showed that the mean of calcium and phosphorus level increased after intervention in the Vitex agnus and salvia officinalis extract groups, but there was no significant difference in the control group. LSD follow-up test was used, showing that the mean difference of calcium and phosphorus score between the Vitex agnus, S. officinalis extract and control groups was significant in pairwise comparisons. However, the difference between the score of phosphorus level in Vitex agnus and S. officinalis extract groups was not significant after the intervention. After intervention, the mean of vitamin D increased by 2.4 units in the Vitex agnus group compared to before the intervention. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the Vitex agnus and control groups after the intervention compared to before it. The Vitex agnus was effective in increasing calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D level, while S. officinalis extract was effective in increasing the level of calcium and phosphorus.

Vitamin D insufficiency has been suggested as a risk factor for several metabolic disorders. The objective of the study was to investigate the association between serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and metabolic health markers of Brazilian individuals with normal-weight, overweight or obesity. We hypothesized that serum 25(OH)D would be inversely associated with glycemic, lipid and inflammatory markers indicative of metabolic abnormality. Data of 511 individuals (33-79 years), recruited from a longitudinal investigation (Pró-Saúde Study), were analyzed cross-sectionally. Anthropometric, biochemical, body composition, socio-demographic and lifestyle data were collected. Based on body mass index (BMI; normal weight, overweight, obesity) and metabolic health (metabolically healthy (MH) and metabolically unhealthy (MU)) categories, the participants were classified into 6 phenotypes. Individuals having zero components of the metabolic syndrome were considered as "MH". MH obesity was frequent in 2.0% of the participants and 56.0% exhibited vitamin D insufficiency (20 ng/mL). In the subgroups of the same BMI category, there were no significant differences in 25(OH)D concentrations between individuals classified as MH and MU. After adjustments (including %body fat and BMI), an inverse association was observed between 25(OH)D and visceral adipose tissue (B = -6.46, 95% confidence interval, CI: -12.87, -0.04), leptin (B = -0.09, 95% confidence interval, CI: -0.14, -0.03), insulin (B = -0.21, 95%CI: -0.34, -0.07), HOMA-IR (B = -0.06, 95%CI: -0.10, -0.02), triglycerides (B = -2.44, 95%CI: -3.66, -1.22), and TNF-α (B = -0.12, 95%CI: -0.24, -0.005) only in MU individuals. Our results indicate that the association of 25(OH)D concentrations with a favorable biochemical profile (glycemic, lipidic and inflammatory) seems to depend on the individual's overall metabolic health, suggesting more benefits from higher serum vitamin D in MU individuals, regardless of their adiposity.

Background Vitamin D deficiency is now very common globally. Although ultraviolet B (UVB) light dermal exposure is an important endogenous source of vitamin D, dietary supplementation and routine food fortification are of benefit for increasing serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. However, there remains a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (~40 in Europe and 62% in Iran). We have designed a two-phase study including the production of nano-encapsulated vitamin D3, an assessment of its stability after fortifying dairy products, and a human trial evaluating the effects of fortified dairy products on the physical and mental health of participants. Methods and design: We established the optimal nanocapsule structure for vitamin D fortification of the various dairy products. The second phase of the study was performed as a ten-week, quadruple-blind randomized controlled trial, where milk and yogurt were fortified with vitamin D-containing nano-capsules, with active and control products being distributed to adult participants living in the City of Mashhad. Preliminary results Among 346 subjects who intended to participate in our study, 306 participants were selected according to inclusion criteria. At the end of the trial, seventeen subjects were excluded (with a dropout rate of 5.5%). The mean age of the eligible participants was 41.82 ± 7.81 (51.8% being women). Waist circumferences were 102.59 ± 7.74 and 89.39 ± 7.0 for men and women, respectively. There were no significant differences for weight, waist circumference, BMI, energy intake, and physical activity between the four groups at baseline assessments. Discussion This study will be the first RCT determining the efficacy of vitamin D fortification in dairy products using nano encapsulation technology on several aspects of physical and mental health. The sample size and high quality of methodology of this study demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of nanotechnology in the food fortification industry and general health in the population. The trial registration details registry name: The National Institute for Medical Research Development (NIMAD), registration number: IRCT20101130005280N27, date of registration: 3.9.2018 and the trial was prospectively registered.

Background: Vitamin D and dairy protein may stimulate bone mineralization and linear growth in children, but previous studies show inconsistent results and have not examined their combined effects. Objectives: To investigate combined and separate effects of vitamin D supplementation and high-protein (HP) compared with normal-protein (NP) yogurt intake on children's bone mineralization and linear growth. Methods: In a 2 × 2-factorial trial, 200 healthy, 6-to 8-year-old, Danish, children with light skin (55°N) were randomized to 20 μg/d vitamin D3 or placebo and to substitute 260 g/d dairy with HP (10 g protein/100 g) or NP (3.5 g protein/100 g) yogurt for 24 weeks during an extended winter. Outcomes were total body less head (TBLH) and lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and bone area (BA) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, height, and biomarkers of bone turnover and growth. The primary outcome was TBLH BMD. Results: In total, 184 children (92%) completed the study. The baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was 80.8 ± 17.2 nmol/L, which increased by 7.2 ± 14.1 nmol/L and decreased by 32.3 ± 17.5 nmol/L with vitamin D and placebo, respectively. The baseline protein intake was 15.4 ± 2.4 energy percentage (E%), which increased to 18.3 ± 3.4 E% with HP. There were no vitamin D-yogurt interactions and no main effects of either intervention on TBLH BMD. However, vitamin D supplementation increased lumbar spine BMD and TBLH BMC compared to placebo, whereas HP groups showed lower increments in lumbar spine BMD, TBLH BMC and BA, and plasma osteocalcin compared to NP groups. Height, growth factors, and parathyroid hormone levels were unaffected. Conclusions: Although there were no effects on whole-body BMD, vitamin D increased bone mass and spinal BMD, whereas high compared with normal dairy protein intake had smaller incremental effects on these outcomes. This supports a recommended vitamin D intake of around 20 μg/d during winter but not use of HP dairy products for improved bone mineralization among healthy, well-nourished children. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03956732.

Background and study aim: Vitamin D has extensive anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and insulin-sensitizing ‎properties, in addition to involvement in immune-metabolic pathways within the ‎gut-adipose tissue-liver axis. This study aims to assess the association between ‎vitamin D deficiency, metabolic dysfunction and NAFLD which is still ‎controversial‎‎‎‎‎‎. Patients and Methods: Cross sectional study that included 170 subjects; 85 cases with fatty liver and 85 ‎healthy controls. After measurement of BMI, both studied groups were subjected ‎to the following laboratory investigations: vitamin D, liver enzymes, random ‎blood glucose, HbA1C, cholesterol, TG, LDL, HDL and uric acid‎.‎ Results: Vitamin D deficiency was associated with many metabolic dysfunction ‎parameters. Regarding NAFLD: in univariate analysis, vitamin D deficiency, male ‎sex, overweight and obesity, hypercholesterolemia, hyper-glycaemia, and elevated ‎liver enzymes were the risk factors. Meanwhile multivariate analysis showed that ‎the risk factors included male sex, overweight and obesity. Sensitivity and ‎specificity of vit D deficiency, at a cutoff value of ≤18.5 mg/mL, were 68.24% ‎and 52.92%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of hypertriglyceridemia, with ‎a cutoff value of >113 mg/dL, were 77.65% and 48.24%, respectively. At cutoff ‎value of >5.2%, sensitivity and specificity of HBA1C were 69.41% and 56.47%, ‎respectively‎‎. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with high prevalence of metabolic changes. ‎Thus, early detection and treatment of such deficiency can improve fatty liver ‎disease and its associated metabolic changes, hence, preventing progression into ‎liver cirrhosis‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎.

Vitamin D is important for gonadal function in rodents, and improvement of vitamin D status in men with low sperm counts increases live birth rate. Vitamin D is a regulator of transcellular calcium transport in the intestine and kidney and may influence the dramatic changes in the luminal calcium concentration in epididymis. Here, we show spatial expression in the male reproductive tract of vitamin D receptor (VDR)-regulated factors involved in calcium transport: transient receptor potential vanilloid 5/6 , sodium/calcium exchanger 1, plasma membrane calcium ATPase 1, calbindin D9k, calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), and parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) in mouse and human testis and epididymis. Testicular Casr expression was lower in Vdr ablated mice compared with controls. Moreover, expression levels of Casr and Pthrp were strongly correlated in both testis and epididymis and Pthrp was suppressed by 1,25(OH)2D3 in a spermatogonial cell line. The expression of CaSR in epididymis may be of greater importance than in the gonad in mice as germ cell-specific Casr deficient mice had no major reproductive phenotype, and coincubation with a CaSR-agonist had no effect on human sperm–oocyte binding. In humans, seminal calcium concentration between 5 and 10 mM was associated with a higher fraction of motile and morphologically normal sperm cells, and the seminal calcium concentration was not associated with serum calcium levels. In conclusion, VDR regulates CaSR and PTHrP, and both factors may be involved in the regulation of calcium transport in the male reproductive tract with possible implications for sperm function and storage.

Aim:This study aimed to examine the status of vitamin D in children, to compare vitamin D levels according to the seasons, and to estimate vitamin D testing trends during the years of the study.Materials and Methods:Blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels of 51,560 children aged between 0-18 years who had been admitted to nine hospitals between 2015 and 2017 were evaluated. Comparisons of 25(OH)D levels with age groups, gender, and seasons were made. Additionally, vitamin D testing was compared year by year in terms of frequency.Results:Of the patients, 20% (n=10,611) had vitamin D deficiency and 34% (n=17,385) had vitamin D insufficiency. Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly higher in boys than in girls (p

Relevance: Psoriatic arthritis (PA) is a severe complication of psoriasis, leading to progressive damage to the musculoskeletal system, a decrease in the quality of life and early disability. CASPAR criteria, widely used for PA diagnosis, are highly sensitive and specific. However, some patients with psoriasis score ≥ 3 with CASPAR criteria without an established PA diagnosis. At present, there is a search for PA biomarkers, which could mirror the stages of pathogenesis of joint and enthesis destruction in this disease. Aim: To identify the most significant changes in biochemical parameters in patients with PA, that would be pathophysiologically associated with the disease. Materials and methods: We performed an open label comparative parallel group study in 60 patients with PA and 40 patients with psoriasis without PA. Clinical assessments included filling in the questionnaires, past history, dermatologist consultation, severity of psoriasis by PASI, and PA activity. Clinical chemistry examination included the levels of antibodies to citrullinated peptide, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein (CRP), human leukocyte antigen HLA B27, immunoglobulins A, M, and G, complement system components C3, C4, circulating immune complexes (CIC), as well as bone metabolism parameters (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, seromucoid, alkaline phosphatase (AP), osteocalcin, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, matrix metalloproteinases MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-8, and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (СОМР). Results: Psoriasis was diagnosed in 86.6% (n = 52) of the patients with PA. Family history of psoriasis was confirmed in 55.0% (n = 22) of the patients with psoriasis without PA and in 60.0% (n = 36) of the patients with PA (p = 0.681). Compared to the patients with psoriasis without PA, the patients with PA had higher prevalence of psoriatic onychodystrophy (71.6%, n = 43, vs. 35.0%, n = 14, p = 0.0004), dactylitis (28.3%, n = 17, vs. 5.0%, n = 2, p = 0.004), extra-articular bone proliferation signs (26.6%, n = 16, vs. 5.0%, n = 2, p = 0.006). In the patients with PA, compared to those without PA, there was a significant increase in CRP levels (27.4 vs. 9.5 mg/l, p = 0.002), more than 2-fold increase in IgM and IgG (IgM, 2.35 vs. 1.2 g/l, p = 0.023; IgG, 17.7 vs. 8.45 g/l, p < 0.0001), and CIC (89.3 vs. 29.5 mU/ml, p = 0.0003). Serum phosphorus and magnesium levels in the patients with PA were lower than in the psoriasis patients without PA (phosphorus 0.8 vs. 1.6 mmol/l, respectively, p = 0.045, magnesium 0.5 vs. 1.0 mmol/l, respectively, p = 0.001), with somewhat higher parathyroid hormone levels (67.3 vs. 25.1 ng/ml, respectively, p = 0.013). Osteocalcin levels in the PA patients were by 37.3% lower than in the patients with psoriasis without PA (17.57 vs. 24.13 ng/ml, respectively, p = 0.004). MMP-1 levels in the PA group were 12.3-fold higher than in the non-PA group (37.68 vs. 3.05 ng/ml, respectively, p < 0.0001), and MMP-3 levels were 3.7-fold higher (42.35 vs. 11.36 ng/ml, respectively, p = 0.022). In the patients with PA, AP levels were 2.52-fold higher than in the control group (150.2 vs. 59.5 U/ml, respectively, p = 0.007), and COMP levels were 2.08-fold higher (415.2 vs. 199.5 ng/ml, respectively, p = 0.006). Conclusion: The patients with PA have higher serum CRP, IgM, IgG, CIC, MMP-1, MMP-3, AP, and COMP levels and lower osteocalcin, phosphorus, and magnesium concentrations, than the patients with psoriasis. These parameters are not PA-specific; however, the search for the most sensitive biomarkers of the systemic immune response and bone remodeling seems to be a promising area of research, since identification of such markers would allow for timely prediction and detection of PA in patients with psoriasis.

Background: Observational studies, mostly among White populations, suggest that low vitamin D levels increase colorectal cancer risk. African Americans, who are disproportionately burdened by colorectal cancer, often have lower vitamin D levels compared with other populations. Methods: We assessed predicted vitamin D score in relation to colorectal cancer among 49,534 participants in the Black Women's Health Study, a cohort of African American women followed from 1995 to 2017 through biennial questionnaires. We derived predicted vitamin D scores at each questionnaire cycle for all participants using a previously validated prediction model based on actual 25-hydroxyvitamin D values from a subset of participants. We calculated cumulative average predicted vitamin D score at every cycle by averaging scores from cycles up to and including that cycle. Using Cox proportional hazards regression, we estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for colorectal cancer incidence according to predicted score quartiles. Results: Over follow-up, 488 incident colorectal cancers occurred. Compared with women in the highest quartile of predicted vitamin D score, those in the lowest had an estimated 41% (HR = 1.41; 95% CI, 1.05–1.90) higher colorectal cancer risk. Comparable HRs were 1.44 (95% CI, 1.02–2.01) for colon and 1.34 (95% CI, 0.70–2.56) for rectal cancer. Conclusions: Low vitamin D status may lead to elevated colorectal cancer risk in African American women. Impact: Our findings, taken together with established evidence that vitamin D levels are generally lower in African Americans than other U.S. groups, suggest that low vitamin D status may contribute to the disproportionately high colorectal cancer incidence among African Americans.