The effects of vitamin D repletion on endothelial function and inflammation in patients with coronary artery disease

Vasc Med. 2012 Dec;17(6):394-404. doi: 10.1177/1358863X12466709.

Abstract

Adequate vitamin D levels may promote cardiovascular health by improving endothelial function and down-regulating inflammation. The objective of this pilot trial was to investigate the effects of vitamin D repletion on endothelial function and inflammation in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Using a double-blind placebo wait-list control design, 90 subjects with CAD and vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/ml) were randomized 1:1 to 50,000 IU of oral ergocalciferol or placebo weekly for 12 weeks. Endothelial function (reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry, RH-PAT), circulating adhesion molecules, and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured at baseline and 12 weeks. The median increase in serum 25-vitamin D from baseline was 26 ± 17 ng/ml in the active group and 4 ± 8 ng/ml in the placebo group (between-group difference = 22 ng/ml, p < 0.001). The median within-subject change in RH-PAT score was 0.13 ± 0.73 with active treatment and -0.04 ± 0.63 with placebo (between-group difference = 0.17, p = 0.44). Within-group and between-group differences in intercellular adhesion molecule levels were greater with placebo (between-group difference = 6 ng/ml, p = 0.048). Vascular cell adhesion molecule levels decreased in both groups by a similar magnitude (median difference between groups = 8.5 ng/ml, p = 0.79). There was no difference between groups in magnitude of reduction in interleukin (IL)-12 (-8.6 ng/ml, p = 0.72) and interferon-gamma (0.52 ng/ml, p = 0.88). No significant differences in blood pressure, e-selectin, high-sensitivity c-reactive protein, IL-6 or the chemokine CXCL-10 were found with treatment. In conclusion, repleting vitamin D levels in subjects with CAD failed to demonstrate any benefits on surrogate markers of cardiovascular health. These results question the role of vitamin D supplementation in modifying cardiovascular disease.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Coronary Artery Disease / complications
  • Coronary Artery Disease / drug therapy*
  • Dietary Supplements / adverse effects
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperemia / metabolism
  • Inflammation / complications
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Vitamin D