Effects of Vitamin D supplementation on markers for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes: An individual participant data meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Karin M.A. Swart*, Paul Lips, Ingeborg A. Brouwer, Rolf Jorde, Martijn W. Heymans, Guri Grimnes, Martin R. Grübler, Martin Gaksch, Andreas Tomaschitz, Stefan Pilz, Gudny Eiriksdottir, Vilmundur Gudnason, Louise Wamberg, Lars Rejnmark, Christopher T. Sempos, Ramón A. Durazo-Arvizu, Kirsten G. Dowling, George Hull, Zuzana Škrabáková, Mairead KielyKevin D. Cashman, Natasja M. Van Schoor

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Background Evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for the causal role of vitamin D on noncommunicable disease outcomes is inconclusive. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are beneficial or harmful effects of cholecalciferol (vitamin D 3) supplementation according to subgroups of remeasured serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] on cardiovascular and glucometabolic surrogate markers with the use of individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis of RCTs. Design Twelve RCTs (16 wk to 1 y of follow-up) were included. For standardization, 25(OH)D concentrations for all participants (n = 2994) at baseline and postintervention were re-measured in bio-banked serum samples with the use of a certified liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method traceable to a reference measurement procedure. IPD meta-analyses were performed according to subgroups of remeasured 25(OH)D. Main outcomes were blood pressure and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Secondary outcomes were LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol and triglycerides; parathyroid hormone (PTH); fasting glucose, insulin, and C-peptide; and 2-h glucose. In secondary analyses, other potential effect modifiers were studied. Results Remeasurement of 25(OH)D resulted in a lower mean 25(OH)D concentration in 10 of 12 RCTs. Vitamin D supplementation had no effect on the main outcomes of blood pressure and HbA1c. Supplementation resulted in 10-20% lower PTH concentrations, irrespective of the 25(OH)D subgroups. The subgroup analyses according to achieved 25(OH)D concentrations showed a significant decrease in LDL-cholesterol concentrations after vitamin D supplementation in 25(OH)D subgroups with <75, <100, and <125 nmol of -0.10 mmol/L (95% CI: -0.20, -0.00 mmol/L), -0.10 mmol/L (95% CI: -0.18, -0.02 mmol/L), and -0.07 mmol/L (95% CI: -0.14, -0.00 mmol/L), respectively. Patient features that modified the treatment effect could not be identified. Conclusions For the main outcomes of blood pressure and HbA1c, the data support no benefit for vitamin D supplementation. For the secondary outcomes, in addition to its effect on PTH, we observed indications for a beneficial effect of vitamin D supplementation only on LDL cholesterol, which warrants further investigation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1043-1053
Number of pages11
JournalThe American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Volume107
Issue number6
Early online date4 Jun 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2018

Funding

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Program (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement 613977 [ODIN (“Food-based solutions for eradication of vitamin D deficiency and health promotion throughout the life cycle”)]. The funders did not have any role in the implementation of this study.

FundersFunder number
European Union’s Seventh Framework Program
FP7/2007613977
ODIN

    Keywords

    • cardiovascular disease
    • individual participant meta-analysis
    • ODIN
    • randomized controlled trials
    • remeasured 25-hydroxyvitamin D
    • subgroups
    • type 2 diabetes
    • Vitamin D

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