Tal Grunwald1, Shruti Fadia1, Bruce Bernstein2, Matthew Naliborski1, Shufang Wu1, Francesco De Luca1. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Section of Endocrinology and Diabetes, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Section of General Pediatrics, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest that vitamin D may play a role in cardiovascular and metabolic health. Oxidative stress has also been implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease. Evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to the occurrence of oxidative stress. This study aimed to determine whether treatment and correction of vitamin D deficiency in obese children led to changes in their metabolic profile, independent of changes in adiposity. In addition, we aimed to determine whether vitamin D deficiency and oxidative stress are causally related in obese children. METHODS: In the retrospective arm, chart review identified 32 obese children who experienced normalization of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency with vitamin D supplementation. We then correlated laboratory and anthropometric data with vitamin D levels. In the prospective arm of the study, urinary 8-isoprostane and hydrogen peroxide were measured before and after correction of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency and correlated to vitamin D levels in seven patients. RESULTS: In our predominantly Hispanic population of obese children in an urban setting, we demonstrated a cause-effect relationship between vitamin D deficiency and oxidative stress. In contrast, we found no association between vitamin D status, adiposity, and markers of insulin sensitivity, nor any effect of vitamin D treatment on the same parameters. CONCLUSIONS: These discordant findings suggest a differential effect of vitamin D on cardiovascular risk factors such as oxidative stress and insulin resistance. To confirm these findings, further prospective studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up are warranted.
BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest that vitamin D may play a role in cardiovascular and metabolic health. Oxidative stress has also been implicated in the development of cardiovascular disease. Evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to the occurrence of oxidative stress. This study aimed to determine whether treatment and correction of vitamin D deficiency in obesechildren led to changes in their metabolic profile, independent of changes in adiposity. In addition, we aimed to determine whether vitamin Ddeficiency and oxidative stress are causally related in obesechildren. METHODS: In the retrospective arm, chart review identified 32 obesechildren who experienced normalization of vitamin Ddeficiency or insufficiency with vitamin D supplementation. We then correlated laboratory and anthropometric data with vitamin D levels. In the prospective arm of the study, urinary 8-isoprostane and hydrogen peroxide were measured before and after correction of vitamin Ddeficiency/insufficiency and correlated to vitamin D levels in seven patients. RESULTS: In our predominantly Hispanic population of obesechildren in an urban setting, we demonstrated a cause-effect relationship between vitamin Ddeficiency and oxidative stress. In contrast, we found no association between vitamin D status, adiposity, and markers of insulin sensitivity, nor any effect of vitamin D treatment on the same parameters. CONCLUSIONS: These discordant findings suggest a differential effect of vitamin D on cardiovascular risk factors such as oxidative stress and insulin resistance. To confirm these findings, further prospective studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up are warranted.