Impact of the length of vitamin D deficiency on cardiac remodeling.

This study was aimed to evaluate the influence of vitamin D (VD) deficiency on cardiac metabolism, morphology, and function. Thus, we investigated the relationship of these changes with the length of the nutrient restriction. Male weanling Wistar rats were allocated into 4 groups: C2 (n=24), animals were fed an AIN-93G diet with 1000 IU VD/kg of chow and were kept under fluorescent light for 2 months; D2 (n=22), animals were fed a VD-deficient AIN-93G diet and were kept under incandescent light for 2 months; C4 (n=21) animals were kept in the same conditions of C2 for 4 months; and D4 (n=23) animals were kept in the same conditions of D2 for 4 months. Biochemical analyses showed lower β-hydroxyacyl coenzyme-A dehydrogenase activity and higher lactate dehydrogenase activity in VD-deficient animals. Furthermore, VD deficiency was related to increased cytokines release, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and fibrosis. Echocardiographic data showed left ventricular hypertrophy and lower fractional shortening and ejection fraction in VD-deficient animals. Difference became evident in the lactate dehydrogenase activity, left ventricular weight, right ventricle weight, and left ventricular mass after 4 months of VD deficiency. Our data indicate that VD deficiency is associated with energetic metabolic changes, cardiac inflammation, oxidative stress, fibrosis and apoptosis, cardiac hypertrophy, left chambers alterations, and systolic dysfunction. Furthermore, length of the restriction influenced these cardiac changes.

Associations of vitamin D deficiency with postoperative gait and mortality among patients with fractures of the proximal femur

To assess whether serum vitamin D concentration is associated with gait status and mortality among patients with fractures of the proximal femur, six months after suffering the fracture. Consecutive patients aged ≥65 years with fractures of the proximal femur, who were admitted to the orthopedics and traumatology ward of our service between January and December 2011, were prospectively evaluated. Clinical, radiological, epidemiological and laboratory analyses were performed, including vitamin D. The patients underwent surgery and were followed up as outpatients, with return visits 15, 30, 60 and 180 days after discharge, at which the outcomes of gait and mortality were evaluated. Eighty-eight patients were evaluated. Two of them were excluded because they presented oncological fractures. Thus, 86 patients of mean age 80.2 ± 7.3 years were studied. In relation to serum vitamin D, the mean was 27.8 ± 14.5 ng/mL, and 33.7% of the patients presented deficiency of this vitamin. In relation to gait, univariate and multivariate logistic regression showed that vitamin D deficiency was not associated with gait recovery, even after adjustment for gender, age and type of fracture (OR: 1.463; 95% CI: 0.524-4.088; p = 0.469). Regarding mortality, Cox regression analysis showed that vitamin D deficiency was not related to its occurrence within six months, even in multivariate analysis (HR: 0.627; 95% CI: 0.180-2.191; p = 0.465). Serum vitamin D concentration was not related to gait status and/or mortality among patients with fractures of the proximal femur, six months after suffering the fracture.

Níveis séricos de vitamina D associados com indicadores da síndrome metabólica na população brasileira

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Celular e Molecular) - IBRC

Remodelação cardíaca induzida plea deficiência de vitamina D em ratos. -

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Influência da suplementação de dieta com diferentes doses de vitamina D sobre variáveis cardíacas em ratos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Vitamin D serum levels are associated with handgrip strength but not with muscle mass or length of hospital stay after hip fracture

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between serum levels of 25(OH) vitamin D-3 with midupper arm muscle circumference (MUAMC), handgrip strength and length of hospital stay (LOS) after hip fracture.Methods: In total, 102 consecutive patients with hip fracture over the age of 65 were admitted to the orthopedic unit and prospectively evaluated. All of the patients were treated according to specific protocols depending on the type of fracture. Anthropometric measurements and handgrip strength were performed, and blood samples were taken for serum biochemistry and 25(OH) vitamin D-3 analysis within the first 72 h of admission. All of the patients were followed during their hospital stay, and the length of stay was recorded.Results: Of the patients, two were excluded because of pathologic fractures. In total, 100 patients with a mean age of 80 +/- 7 y were included in the analysis. Among these patients, 73% were female, and 37% had vitamin D deficiency. The median LOS was 7 (5-11) d. Patients with vitamin D deficiency had lower handgrip strength in univariate analysis. In the multiple linear regression analysis with robust standard error, serum vitamin D levels adjusted by age and sex were associated with handgrip strength but not with MUAMC and LOS after hip fracture.Conclusions: In conclusion, vitamin D serum levels were associated with handgrip strength but not with muscle mass or length of hospital stay after hip fracture. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D in psoriatic patients

Studies have shown a relationship between vitamin D and psoriasis. We compared serum levels of vitamin D of 20 psoriasis patients and 20 controls. The median vitamin D level was 22.80 +/- 4.60 ng/ml; the median in the cases was 23.55 +/- 7.6 ng/ml, and in controls 22.35 +/- 3.10 ng/ml (p = 0.73). Only 2 cases and 4 controls had sufficient levels of vitamin D, although without statistical significance between the groups (p = 0.608). Levels were lower in women with psoriasis compared with those in male patients (20.85 +/- 6.70 x 25.35 +/- 2.90 ng/ml, p = 0.03), a finding that was not observed among controls.

Associação entre concentração sérica de vitamina D e alterações da massa muscular esquelética em pacientes com doenças inflamatórias intestinais

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Influência da vitamina D sérica na adiponectina, visfatina e resistina nas alterações histológicas no fígado de pacientes com doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Insuficiência de vitamina D em pacientes infectados pelo HIV tratados com terapia antirretroviral contendo tenofovir

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Serum Vitamins in Adult Patients With Short Bowel Syndrome Receiving Intermittent Parenteral Nutrition

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Season of birth as a risk factor for multiple sclerosis in Brazil

Risk factors for development of multiple sclerosis (MS) are still a matter of debate. Latitude gradient, vitamin D deficiency and season of birth are among the most investigated environmental factors associated with the disease. Several international studies suggest that birth in spring is a substantial risk factor for MS. We investigated the season of birth as a potential risk for MS in different geographical regions of Brazil. We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective study with 2257 clinically definite MS patients enrolled in 13 Brazilian MS clinics in the south, southeast, and northeast regions of Brazil. Demographic and clinical data relating to date of birth and clinical features of the disease were collected and analysed, and subsequently compared with birth date among the general Brazilian population. The distribution of date of birth of MS patients showed an increase in spring and a decrease in autumn, with no difference being observed in the other seasons. In conclusion, season of birth is a probable risk factor for MS in most parts of Brazil. These findings may be related to the role that vitamin D plays in MS pathogenesis. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Negative Effects of Alcohol Intake and Estrogen Deficiency Combination on Osseointegration in a Rat Model

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

POTASSIUM ABSORPTION AND PARTITIONING IN COTTON AS AFFECTED BY PERIODS OF POTASSIUM-DEFICIENCY

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum var. Latifolium) was grown in nutrient media, at two K levels: 58.5 mg/K and 11.7 mg/K. Potassium deficiency (11.7 mg K/g of K) was imposed upon cotton plants at different stages of plant development. A sequence of increasing sensitivity to K deficiency among cotton plant parts was observed: leaves < bolls < roots < stems. When K deficiency symptoms are clearly visible in the leaves, all the other plant parts are already affected. Bolls are a very important component in K partitioning within the cotton plant, but K is required most by the bur itself and is not translocated to seeds or fibers. Cotton could overcome a 30 day deficiency late in the season without significant losses in lint and seed cotton yields.

Protein deficiency during pregnancy and lactation impairs glucose-induced insulin secretion but increases the sensitivity to insulin in weaned rats

We studied glucose homeostasis in rat pups from darns fed on a normal-protein (170 g/kg) (NP) diet or a diet containing 60 g protein/kg (LP) during fetal life and the suckling period. At birth, total serum protein, serum albumin and serum insulin levels were similar in both groups. However, body weight and serum glucose levels in LP rats were lower than those in NP rats. At the end of the suckling period (28 d of age), total serum protein, serum albumin and serum insulin were significantly lower and the liver glycogen and serum free fatty acid levels were significantly higher in LP rats compared with NP rats. Although the fasting serum glucose level was similar in both groups, the area under the blood glucose concentration curve after a glucose load was higher for NP rats (859 (SEM 58) mmol/l per 120 min for NP rats v. 607 (SEM 52) mmol/l per 120 min for LP rats; P < 0.005). The mean post-glucose increase in insulin was higher for NP rats (30 (SEM 4.7) nmol/l per 120 min for NP rats v. 17 (SEM 3.9) nnol/l per 120 min for LP rats; P < 0.05). The glucose disappearance rate for NP rats(0.7 (SEM 0.1) %/min) was lower than that for LP rats (1.6 (SEM 0.2) %/min; P < 0.001). Insulin secretion from isolated islets (1 h incubation) in response to 16.7 mmol glucose/l was augmented 14-fold in NP rats but only 2.6-fold in LP rats compared with the respective basal secretion (2.8 mmol/l; P <0.001). These results indicate that in vivo as well as in vitro insulin secretion in pups from dams maintained on a LP diet is reduced. This defect may be counteracted by an increase in the sensitivity of target tissues to insulin.