Effect of vitamin D on vascular health in hypertensive patients with vitamin D deficiency

Background: Many observational studies have shown association of cardiovascular disease and vitamin D deficiency. However, there is a need for prospective studies to show causal effect of vitamin D and cardiovascular diseases in India. Hence the present study was designed to study the effect of vitamin D on markers of vascular health in hypertensive patients with vitamin D deficiency. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation on markers of vascular health in hypertensive patients with vitamin D deficiency. Methods: Hypertensive patients were screened for vitamin D deficiency defined as 25 OH vitamin D less than 20 ng/mL after written informed consent. Hypertensives deficient with 25 OH vitamin D were recruited for the study to receive cholecalciferol 60000 IU/ week for 8 weeks. The vascular parameters such as blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, arterial stiffness index, malondialdehyde and total antioxidant status were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks of cholecalciferol. The results were analysed using paired‘t’ test. Results: A total of 119 hypertensive patients were screened for vitamin D status. Among them 57 patients were found to be vitamin D deficient (48.7%). Thirty two patients completed the study. The baseline serum 25 OH vitamin D3 was 12.55 ± 5.7 ng/mL and it increased to 40.06 ± 10.53 ng /mL after 8 weeks. Conclusions: The vascular parameters didn’t show any statistically significant difference between baseline and at 8 weeks. However trend for decline was observed for malondialdehyde, right brachial pulse wave velocity.