High prevalence of severe vitamin D deficiency in combined antiretroviral therapy-naive and successfully treated Swiss HIV patients

To evaluate the prevalence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency in HIV-positive patients, a population at risk for osteoporosis.

Preference for formulations containing calcium and vitamin D(3) in childhood: a randomized-sequence, open-label trial

Children who experience adverse reactions to cow's milk or who have diseases predisposing them to low bone mass are often prescribed a supplementation of calcium and vitamin D(3), but adherence can be poor. Age-specific preferences for different formulations may exist and at least partially explain poor compliance.

Association of a common vitamin D-binding protein polymorphism with inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis (UC), are multifactorial disorders, characterized by chronic inflammation of the intestine. A number of genetic components have been proposed to contribute to IBD pathogenesis. In this case-control study, we investigated the association between two common vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) genetic variants and IBD susceptibility. These two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in exon 11 of the DBP gene, at codons 416 (GAT>GAG; Asp>Glu) and 420 (ACG>AAG; Thr>Lys), have been previously suggested to play roles in the etiology of other autoimmune diseases.

Acceptance of two liquid vitamin D₃ formulations among mothers with newborn infants: a randomized, single-blind trial

In Switzerland, children are prescribed 7.5-12.5 μg per day of vitamin D(3) dissolved in alcohol, but many families do not adhere to the recommendation. The aim of the trial was to compare the acceptance of vitamin D(3) dissolved in alcohol or in medium-chain triglycerides among mothers of Swiss newborn infants. The acceptance was tested in 42 healthy newborn infants (20 girls and 22 boys) aged between 2 and 7 days. Their neonatal body weight ranged between 2.225 and 4.150 kg, and the gestational age between 36 1/7 and 41 3/7 weeks. The blinded mothers rated the facial reaction of their children by pointing on a facial hedonic scale. Thirty eight of the 41 mothers, who brought the comparison to completion, assigned a better score to the oily preparation with no difference in the remaining three cases (P < 0.0001). The acceptance for the oily preparation was significantly better both among mothers whose babies were initially presented the alcoholic preparation and among mothers whose babies were initially presented the oily preparation. Furthermore, the acceptance for the oily preparation was better irrespective of gender of the infant or parity of the mother. In conclusion, from the perspective of mothers, Swiss newborn infants prefer the taste of the oily vitamin D(3) preparation over the alcoholic preparation.

Effects of dietary supplementation with synthetic vitamin D-3 and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol on blood calcium and phosphate levels and performance in laying hens

We investigated the effects of different dietary vitamin D regimen on selected blood parameters in laying hens. Supplementation with vitamin D-3 only was compared with a combination of vitamin D-3 and its metabolite 25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol (25(OH)D-3). Blood concentrations of total calcium, phosphate and 25 (OH)D-3 were determined. Four thousand one-day-old LSL chicks were split in two treatment groups and distributed to eight pens. The control group was given a commercial animal diet containing 2800 IU synthetic vitamin D-3 in the starter feed and 2000 IU synthetic vitamin D-3 in the pullet feed. The experimental group was fed the same commercial diet in which half the synthetic vitamin D-3 content had been substituted with 25(OH)D-3 (Hy center dot D (R)). At 18 weeks of age, pullets were transferred to the layer house. At the ages of 11, 18 and 34 weeks, between 120 and 160 blood samples were collected from both the control and the experimental groups, respectively. The experimental group had higher levels of 25 (OH)D-3 than the control group at all three ages. Serum calcium levels did not differ between the treatment groups at any age. With the onset of laying, calcium levels rose significantly. Whereas blood serum concentration at 18 weeks was 3 mmol/L in both treatment groups, it increased to 8.32 mmol/L in the control group and to 8.66 mmol/L in the experimental group at week 34. At weeks 11 and 34, phosphate was significantly lower in the experimental group. In conclusion, HyD (R) significantly affected serum phosphate and 25(OH)D-3 levels. No effects of (25(OH)D-3 supplementation on performance, shell quality and fractures of keelbones were found.

Effect of a single, oral, high-dose vitamin D supplementation on endothelial function in patients with peripheral arterial disease: a randomised controlled pilot study

Apart from its role in bone metabolism, vitamin D may also influence cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was: (1) to determine the effect of a single, oral, high-dose vitamin D supplementation on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and (2) to investigate the impact of this supplementation on coagulation and inflammation parameters.

A genetic validation study reveals a role of vitamin D metabolism in the response to interferon-alfa-based therapy of chronic hepatitis C

Background To perform a comprehensive study on the relationship between vitamin D metabolism and the response to interferon-α-based therapy of chronic hepatitis C. Methodology/Principal Findings Associations between a functionally relevant polymorphism in the gene encoding the vitamin D 1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1-1260 rs10877012) and the response to treatment with pegylated interferon-α (PEG-IFN-α) and ribavirin were determined in 701 patients with chronic hepatitis C. In addition, associations between serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25[OH]D3) and treatment outcome were analysed. CYP27B1-1260 rs10877012 was found to be an independent predictor of sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients with poor-response IL28B genotypes (15% difference in SVR for rs10877012 genotype AA vs. CC, p = 0.02, OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.061–2.188), but not in patients with favourable IL28B genotype. Patients with chronic hepatitis C showed a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (25[OH]D3<20 ng/mL) during all seasons, but 25(OH)D3 serum levels were not associated with treatment outcome. Conclusions/Significance Our study suggests a role of bioactive vitamin D (1,25[OH]2D3, calcitriol) in the response to treatment of chronic hepatitis C. However, serum concentration of the calcitriol precursor 25(OH)D3 is not a suitable predictor of treatment outcome.

Combined effect of 25-OH vitamin D plasma levels and genetic vitamin D receptor (NR 1I1) variants on fibrosis progression rate in HCV patients

Decreased vitamin D levels have been described in various forms of chronic liver disease and associated with advanced fibrosis. Whether this association is a cause or consequence of advanced fibrosis remains unclear to date.

The vitamin D receptor gene bAt (CCA) haplotype impairs the response to pegylated-interferon/ribavirin-based therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients

Chronic hepatitis C infection is a major cause of end-stage liver disease. Therapy outcome is influenced by 25-OH vitamin D deficiency. To further address this observation, our study investigates the impact of the vitamin D receptor (NR1I1) haplotype and combined effects of plasma vitamin D levels in a well-described cohort of hepatitis C patients.

The prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy amongst women with osteoporosis: an international epidemiological investigation

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D is essential for calcium metabolism as well as for fracture prevention, and a recent review suggested that the optimal serum 25(OH)D lies in the region of 50-80 nmol L-1 (20-32 ng mL-1). A high prevalence of inadequacy has been reported in many studies but the prevalence of inadequacy amongst women with osteoporosis in different regions of the world has not been well characterized. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: A multinational study of 18 countries at various latitudes (range 64N-38S) was conducted in 2004 and 2005 to determine the average levels of serum 25(OH)D and the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy. A total of 2606 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (low bone mineral density, history of fragility fracture) seeking routine medical care were enrolled and serum 25(OH)D levels were measured at a single laboratory visit. RESULTS: Mean serum 25(OH)D level was 26.8 ng mL-1 (SE 0.3) and ranged from 7 to 243 ng mL-1. Regional mean values were highest in Latin America (29.6 ng mL-1, SE 0.6) and lowest in the Middle East (20.4 ng mL-1, SE 0.5). Overall, 64% of women had serum levels<30 ng mL-1. Serum parathyroid hormone reached a nadir at serum 25(OH)D levels>35 ng mL-1. In nonequatorial countries, women recruited during the winter months had somewhat lower serum 25(OH)D levels than those recruited during the summer months in some, but not all, countries. CONCLUSIONS: Low levels of serum 25(OH)D are common amongst women with osteoporosis. The results underscore the value of assuring vitamin D adequacy in these women.