Vitamin D supplementation affects serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, insulin resistance, and biomarkers of oxidative stress in pregnant women.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the effects of vitamin D supplementation on serum calcium concentrations and metabolic profiles in healthy pregnant women.
Results Summary
Vitamin D supplementation significantly increased serum calcium concentrations compared to placebo (+0.20 mg/dL vs. -0.12 mg/dL). The study also found improvements in metabolic markers, oxidative stress, and blood pressure.
Population
48 healthy pregnant women aged 18-40 years at 25 weeks of gestation.
Effective Dosage
400 IU/d cholecalciferol.
Duration
9 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
400 IU/d cholecalciferol supplements | increase | serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D | pregnant women aged 18-40 y old at 25 wk of gestation | +3.7 μg/L | increases in serum concentrations were greater | #1 |
400 IU/d cholecalciferol supplements | increase | calcium | pregnant women aged 18-40 y old at 25 wk of gestation | +0.20 mg/dL | increases in serum concentrations were greater | #2 |
vitamin D supplementation | decrease | serum hs-CRP | pregnant women aged 18-40 y old at 25 wk of gestation | -1.41 μg/mL | resulted in a significant decrease | #3 |
vitamin D supplementation | decrease | insulin concentrations | pregnant women aged 18-40 y old at 25 wk of gestation | -1.0 μIU/mL | resulted in a significant decrease | #4 |
vitamin D supplementation | increase | Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index score | pregnant women aged 18-40 y old at 25 wk of gestation | +0.02 | resulted in a significant increase | #5 |
vitamin D supplementation | increase | plasma total antioxidant capacity | pregnant women aged 18-40 y old at 25 wk of gestation | +152 mmol/L | resulted in a significant increase | #6 |
vitamin D supplementation | increase | total glutathione concentrations | pregnant women aged 18-40 y old at 25 wk of gestation | +205 μmol/L | resulted in a significant increase | #7 |
vitamin D supplements | decrease | fasting plasma glucose | pregnant women aged 18-40 y old at 25 wk of gestation | -0.65 mmol/L | led to a significant decrease | #8 |
vitamin D supplements | decrease | systolic blood pressure | pregnant women aged 18-40 y old at 25 wk of gestation | -0.2 mm Hg | led to a significant decrease | #9 |
vitamin D supplements | decrease | diastolic blood pressure | pregnant women aged 18-40 y old at 25 wk of gestation | -0.4 mm Hg | led to a significant decrease | #10 |
Unfavorable metabolic profiles and oxidative stress in pregnancy are associated with several complications. This study was conducted to determine the effects of vitamin D supplementation on serum concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), metabolic profiles, and biomarkers of oxidative stress in healthy pregnant women. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 48 pregnant women aged 18-40 y old at 25 wk of gestation. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 400 IU/d cholecalciferol supplements (n = 24) or placebo (n = 24) for 9 wk. Fasting blood samples were taken at study baseline and after 9 wk of intervention to quantify serum concentrations of hs-CRP, lipid concentrations, insulin, and biomarkers of oxidative stress. After 9 wk of intervention, the increases in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and calcium concentrations were greater in the vitamin D group (+3.7 μg/L and +0.20 mg/dL, respectively) than in the placebo group (-1.2 μg/L and -0.12 mg/dL, respectively; P < 0.001 for both). Vitamin D supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in serum hs-CRP (vitamin D vs. placebo groups: -1.41 vs. +1.50 μg/mL; P-interaction = 0.01) and insulin concentrations (vitamin D vs. placebo groups: -1.0 vs. +2.6 μIU/mL; P-interaction = 0.04) and a significant increase in the Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index score (vitamin D vs. placebo groups: +0.02 vs. -0.02; P-interaction = 0.006), plasma total antioxidant capacity (vitamin D vs. placebo groups: +152 vs. -20 mmol/L; P-interaction = 0.002), and total glutathione concentrations (vitamin D vs. placebo groups: +205 vs. -32 μmol/L; P-interaction = 0.02) compared with placebo. Intake of vitamin D supplements led to a significant decrease in fasting plasma glucose (vitamin D vs. placebo groups: -0.65 vs. -0.12 mmol/L; P-interaction = 0.01), systolic blood pressure (vitamin D vs. placebo groups: -0.2 vs. +5.5 mm Hg; P-interaction = 0.01), and diastolic blood pressure (vitamin D vs. placebo groups: -0.4 vs. +3.1 mm Hg; P-interaction = 0.01) compared with placebo. In conclusion, vitamin D supplementation for 9 wk among pregnant women has beneficial effects on metabolic status.