Vitamin D plays an important role in bone metabolism and maintaining bone health. Recently, new evidence has revealed that vitamin D affects chronic diseases such as autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vitamin D status and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in an urban Korean population. This study included 8,976 participants (3,587 men and 5,389 women) aged 50 yr and older. Serum 25(OH)D level was measured by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL] was 59.7% and 86.5% in men and women, respectively. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency increased significantly with age in men, but not in women and it decreased from April to July, more prominently in men than in women. These results suggest that sun exposure, intake of vitamin D supplement, and regular physical activities is recommended in an urban Koreans, especially in women.
Aged ; Aging ; Bone and Bones/metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Vitamin D/*blood ; Vitamin D Deficiency/blood/*epidemiology

PURPOSE: Vitamin D deficiency is still common in pregnant women and infants, especially preterm infants. This study evaluated the prevalence, characteristics, and prenatal and postnatal complications associated with vitamin D deficiency in preterm infants. METHODS: Preterm infants (gestational age of <32 weeks, delivered between January 2014 and December 2014) were divided into two groups according to umbilical cord blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations (deficiency group, <20 ng/mL; non-deficiency group, ≥20 ng/mL), and associated factors were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the preterm infants was 14.3±9.7 ng/mL. 80% (78 out of 98) of subjects had vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL), and 45% (44 out of 98) of preterm infants had a severe vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/mL). No seasonal variation was observed in 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration. Mean gestational age and birth weight were lower in the deficiency group. The serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentrations, which reflect bone metabolism, were significantly different between the two groups, but not the serum phosphorous concentrations. Maternal prenatal complications and infant complications were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is high, and it is a persistent problem among Korean mothers and their newborn infants, especially preterm infants. Thus, it is important to prevent vitamin D deficiency by early detection of the deficiency and supplementation of vitamin D.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Birth Weight ; Calcium ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Metabolism ; Mothers ; Pregnant Women ; Prevalence ; Seasons ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; Vitamin D* ; Vitamins*

OBJECTIVETo study the association between vitamin D status and bone mineral density(BMD) in urban postmenopausal women in Beijing.

METHODSA total of 400 community-dwelling women older than 60 (median age 67.8 years) were selected randomly from 17 community of 3 districts in Beijing by cluster sampling method from May to July, 2008. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay, using the DiaSorin kit, America. The objects were assigned into four groups: vitamin D deficient group (group A, 25(OH)D < 25 nmol/L), insufficient group(group B, 25 nmol/L < 25(OH)D < or = 50 nmol/L), normal group (group C, 50 nmol/L < 25(OH)D < or = 75 nmol/L) and enough group (group D, 25(OH)D > 75 nmol/L). The BMD at total, lumbar spine (L(2-4)) and proximal femur were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

RESULTSThe mean concentration of serum 25(OH)D concentration was (36.0 +/- 14.6) nmol/L, BMD at total and proximal femur were respectively (0.829 +/- 0.090) and (0.679 +/- 0.106) g/cm(2). The mean BMD at total of group A, B, C + D were respectively (0.811 +/- 0.077), (0.825 +/- 0.088) and (0.864 +/- 0.112) g/cm(2)(F = 16.93, P < 0.01), and BMD at proximal femur of group A, B, C + D were respectively (0.666 +/- 0.107), (0.673 +/- 0.099) and (0.725 +/- 0.117) g/cm(2)(F = 18.36, P < 0.01). The 25(OH)D level was positively correlated with BMD at total body and proximal femur (r values were 0.17 and 0.18, both P values < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONVitamin D status was highly correlated with BMD at lumbar spine (L(2-4)), proximal femur, pelvis and limbs for the postmenopausal older women.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Density ; China ; Female ; Femur ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause ; Vitamin D ; blood

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; deficiency ; Female ; Hyperlipoproteinemia Type III ; blood ; metabolism ; Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; blood ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Receptors, Calcitriol ; metabolism ; Vitamin D ; blood

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been recognized as a significant global health problem because of the increased risk of total and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency is common in patients with CKD, and serum levels of vitamin D appear to have an inverse correlation with kidney function. Growing evidence has indicated that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to deteriorating renal function, as well as increased morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD. Recent studies have suggested that treatment with active vitamin D or its analogues can ameliorate renal injury by reducing fibrosis, apoptosis, and inflammation in animal models; this treatment also decreases proteinuria and mortality in patients with CKD. These renoprotective effects of vitamin D treatment are far beyond its classical role in the maintenance of bone and mineral metabolism, in addition to its pleiotropic effects on extra-mineral metabolism. In this review, we discuss the altered metabolism of vitamin D in kidney disease, and the potential renoprotective mechanisms of vitamin D in experimental and clinical studies. In addition, issues regarding the effects of vitamin D treatment on clinical outcomes are discussed.
Animals ; Biological Markers/blood ; Dietary Supplements ; Humans ; Kidney/drug effects/*metabolism ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/*blood/diagnosis/drug therapy/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Vitamin D/*blood/therapeutic use ; Vitamin D Deficiency/*blood/diagnosis/drug therapy/epidemiology

To evaluate the association of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and vitamin D receptors (VDRs) in psoriasis, lesional (PP) and perilesional skin (PN) from psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (AD) patients and healthy controls (NN) were studied by immunohistochemistry. Compared with PN, AD and NN skin, dysregulated expression of TLRs, AMPs and VDR was detected in PP skin. Noteworthy, our results showed altered correlation between TLR2 and VDR expression in PP and PN skin. Human beta defensin 2 (HBD2) and cathelicidin (LL-37) expressions in the PP skin were higher in serum vitamin D sufficient (VDS) groups than serum vitamin D deficient (VDD) groups. Negative correlation was found between TLR2 and VDR expression in the PP skin of VDD groups. However, positive correlation was noted in the PP skin of VDS groups. Based on the present results, therapies targeting the activity of TLRs, AMPs and vitamin D, including modulation of the TLR-VDR pathways, might provide new therapeutic approaches to the psoriasis and other inflammatory skin diseases.
Anti-Infective Agents/*metabolism ; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides/*metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Psoriasis/*metabolism ; Receptors, Calcitriol/metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptors/*metabolism ; Vitamin D/*blood ; beta-Defensins/metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of artificial liver support system(plasma exchange combined with continuous veno - venous hemodiafiltration, PE + CVVHDF) on Gc globulin in patients with liver failure.

METHODS81 patients with liver failure were divided into 4 groups according to the treatment protocols and indicators such as liver function and clinical symptoms. Totally 29 effective cases and 14 ineffective cases in the ALSS group versus 15 effective cases and 23 ineffective cases in the medical group were included. Finally the changes of Gc globulin were observed in four subgroups before and after treatment. The correlation between Gc globulin and IL-10, IL-4, IL-18, TNFa, endotoxin, NO, sVCAM-1and sICAM-1were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.

RESULTSThe effectiveness rate was 67.44% in ALSS group and 34.21% in the medical treatment (P less than 0.01). Gc globulin, one of liver cell protection proteins was notably increased following the artificial liver treatment as compared with the increase in the medical treatment (P less than 0.01). The time-response curve of Gc globulin level had a significant upward trend in the effective group as compared to no significant rise in the ineffective group. Moreover, the Gc globulin was negatively correlated with IL-4, IL-18, TNFa, SVCAM-1, SICAM-1 and NO. In contrast, no correlation existed between Gc globulin and IL-10. The treatment with artificial liver can improve the outcome of the patients with liver failure. The level of Gc globulin was correlated with the curative effect and thus may be used as a potential indicator for curative effect forcast in the patients with liver failure.

Aged ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; blood ; Cytokines ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Failure ; blood ; surgery ; therapy ; Liver, Artificial ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Treatment Outcome ; Vitamin D-Binding Protein ; blood ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: Traditional Japanese food appears to be healthy but contains a small amount of milk products. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients commonly reduce their energy intake to control their blood glucose levels. However, nutritional guidance for diabetes does not emphasize calcium (Ca) consumption. The aim of this study is to estimate the nutritional status of Ca and other nutrients, which affect bone and Ca metabolism, in T2DM patients. METHODS: This observational study was conducted with Japanese T2DM patients (n = 96; M/F = 50/46; age: 61.6 ± 10.1 years). We estimated nutrient intake using a simple food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: Median total energy intake was 1750 kcal/day (1440-1970). Their median daily intake of Ca, vitamin D, and vitamin K was 451 mg (336-560), 10.2 µg (8.5-12), and 206 µg (84-261), respectively. Only 17.7% of the study subjects were found to take more than 600 mg/day of Ca. Protein and salt intake was 78 (64-90) and 10.6 (9.3-12.2) g/day, respectively. Male subjects had more salt, less Ca and vitamin K than female. Daily Ca intake was positively associated with total energy, protein, and lipid intake but not with carbohydrates. Vitamin D intake correlated only with protein intake. CONCLUSION: The daily Ca intake of Japanese T2DM patients appears to be insufficient and could depend on protein and lipid intake. Additionally, these patients should have specific recommendations to ensure sufficient intake of Ca with protein and lipid during energy restriction.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Blood Glucose ; Calcium* ; Carbohydrates ; Energy Intake ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolism ; Milk ; Nutritional Status* ; Observational Study ; Vitamin D ; Vitamin K

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency and a high mean platelet volume (MPV) are related to cardiovascular disease. We investigated whether vitamin D deficiency is associated with high MPV. METHODS: This study included 434 patients without chronic disease who were not taking vitamin D or calcium supplements. Vitamin D was measured by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay on the Architect-I2000 system (Abbott Diagnostics, USA), and MPV was measured on the Cell-Dyn Ruby analyzer (Abbott Diagnostics). Patients were divided into Groups 1 (138 [men/women, 46/92]), 2 (148 [men/women, 54/94]), and 3 (148 [men/women, 50/98]) according to vitamin D levels of <10 ng/mL, 10-20 ng/mL, and >20 ng/mL, respectively. RESULTS: The vitamin D level in Group 1 (7.7+/-1.9 ng/mL) was lower than that in Group 2 (15.1+/-1.6 ng/mL, P<0.001) and Group 3 (25.6+/-6.3 ng/mL, P<0.001). The MPV in Group 3 (7.5+/-1.0 fL) was lower than that in Group 1 (8.1+/-1.1 fL, P<0.001) and Group 2 (7.9+/-1.0 fL, P=0.009). Linear regression analysis showed that low levels of vitamin D (beta=-0.109, P=0.019) was independently associated with increased MPV. CONCLUSIONS: There was a strong association between a low vitamin D level and a high MPV; therefore, vitamin D deficiency may be associated with increased MPV.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Glucose/analysis ; Blood Platelets/*cytology ; Cell Size ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Luminescent Measurements ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vitamin D/*analysis ; Vitamin D Deficiency/metabolism/pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the relationship between vitamin D status and seasons, disease activity, disease location, growth and steroid treatment in children with Crohn's disease (CD). To search for the risk factors of vitamin D deficiency in CD children. To discuss the role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis and treatments of CD.

METHODSixty CD children (63.3% male) and 121 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects were enrolled. Data including growth, clinical characteristics, time for vitamin D blood test, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C reactive protein, serum 25(OH)D concentration and steroid treatments were collected. The relationship between vitamin D status and disease activity, disease location, growth and steroid treatments in children with CD were analized.

RESULTThe serum concentration of 25(OH)D was 57.2(22.3-246.0) nmol/L, which was significantly lower than that of controls (67.3 (57.3-78.4) nmol/L) (Z=-5.009, P=0.000). Hypovitaminosis D was most prevalent during the winter and spring (November to April, 46.8(31.8-83.4) nmol/L) rather than summer and autumn (May to October, 63.3(22.3-246.0) nmol/L, Z=-1.994, P=0.046). Univariate logistic regression demonstrated that factors increasing the risk of vitamin D deficiency in Crohn's disease were: age over 10 years (OR=4.571, 95% CI: 1.452-14.389), small intestine involved diseases (OR=5.211, 95% CI: 1.278-21.237), high C reactive protein levels (≥8 mg/L) (OR=4.500, 95% CI: 1.094-18.503) and steroid therapy (OR=4.297, 95% CI: 1.413-13.068). Among those risk factors, all but age were determined to be risks of vitamin D deficiency by further multivariate logistic regression. There was no significant correlation between vitamin D deficiency and gender, disease duration, stricture, penetration, perianal disease (fistula, ulcer or abscess), white blood cell counts, hemoglobin, platelet counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum albumin levels, pediatric Crohn's disease activity index and nutrition therapy (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONHypovitaminosis D was prevalent in children with CD. Serum concentration of vitamin D was associated with season. Steroid treatment, small intestine involved disease and high C reactive protein (more than 8 mg/L) are risk factors of vitamin D deficiency in CD children.

C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Crohn Disease ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Vitamin D ; blood ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; complications ; Vitamins ; blood