Serum vitamin D in sanctuary chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in range countries: A pilot study

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D is essential for skeletal health, calcium homeostasis and general health. The major and more stable form of vitamin D in circulation is 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D); this is the most valuable indicator of vitamin D status. There are studies on laboratory and zoo-housed chimpanzees; however, serum vitamin D status has not been documented in chimpanzees in range countries.

OBJECTIVES

(1) Determine the range of circulating 25-OH-D concentrations in chimpanzees in range countries. (2) Assess the influence of age, sex, and sun exposure on 25-OH-D serum concentrations.

METHODS

Opportunistic blood samples were obtained from 127 clinically healthy chimpanzees. Serum 25-OH-D concentration was measured with a commercially available competitive ELISA.

RESULTS

The median overall 25-OH-D concentration for chimpanzees in range countries was 46.24 nmol/L (range: 17.10-109.23 nmol/L). Males had a significantly lower concentration (40.15 nmol/L) than females (49.61 nmol/L), and infants (37.99 nmol/L) had a significantly lower concentration than adults (46.04 nmol/L). Concentrations of 25-OH-D in chimpanzees in sunnier habitats were significantly higher compared to thick tropical forest habitat.

CONCLUSION

The present constitutes a large dataset of serum 25-OH-D concentrations in range country sanctuary chimpanzees and contributes to document normal ranges. Age, sex, and sun exposure influenced serum concentrations of 25-OH-D in sanctuary chimpanzees.

Vitamin D and chronotype: is there any relationship in individuals with obesity?

PURPOSE

Chronotype is the attitude to perform most of the daily activities in the morning ("morning chronotype", MC) or in the evening ("evening chronotype", EC). The latter, as well as vitamin D deficiency, has been associated with an increased risk of obesity-related complications, likely through the promotion of insulin resistance. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether there is any relationship between vitamin D (25-OH-D) and chronotype in individuals with obesity.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 59 individuals (43.1 ± 13 years; 17M/42F) with obesity. Anthropometric parameters, lifestyle habits, personal medical history, chronotype, insulin resistance, and 25-OH-D were assessed.

RESULTS

Individuals with EC presented significantly higher BMI than MC (p < 0.001), greater waist (p = 0.012), and hip circumferences (p = 0.001). Individuals with EC showed significantly lower insulin sensitivity (p = 0.017) and 25-OH-D than MC. In addition, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and impaired fasting glucose was significantly higher in EC than in MC. 25-OH-D directly correlated with chronotype score (r = 0.351; p = 0.019) whereas inversely with BMI (r = - 0.363; p = 0.016). The regression analysis showed that BMI was most tightly associated with 25-OH-D concentrations (β = - 0.323, p = 0.032), followed by chronotype score (β = 0.340, p = 0.042). Using chronotype score as the dependent variable, BMI significantly predicted a lower chronotype score (β = - 0.586, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The present study showed that 25-OH-D, as well as chronotype, correlate independently with obesity.

Prevalence of vitamin D status and its association with overweight or obesity in a population of Colombian children and adolescents

The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of 25-OH-D status (insufficiency and deficiency) in children and adolescents residing in Bucaramanga, Colombia and to determine its association with excess weight. A case-control study was nested in the SIMBA II cohort in children and adolescents between the ages of 11 and 20 years old. Cases were defined as those children and adolescents with overweight or obesity. The control group was composed of children and adolescents from the same population sample with similar sociodemographic and economic characteristics but without overweight or obesity diagnosis. 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) was quantified in serum using a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between vitamin D status and overweight or obesity adjusted for the main confounding variables. A total of 494 children and adolescents cases were 138 (52⋅17% boys and 47⋅83% girls; median age 16⋅0 [Q1 15; Q3 18]). The median BMI S-Score minors age in the cases was 1⋅36 [Q1 1⋅06; Q3 2⋅00] and BMI (kg/m2) 28⋅0 [Q1 26⋅2; Q3 30⋅8]. The prevalence of vitamin D in the cases was deficiency 16⋅67%, insufficiency 57⋅25%, sufficiency 26⋅09. 25-OH-D insufficiency was associated with overweight or obesity after adjusting for the main confounding variables (OR 1⋅73; 95% CI 1⋅05-2⋅84). Our study concludes that the 25-OH-D insufficiency is common in children and adolescents in Bucaramanga, Colombia, and it was associated with overweight or obesity.

Vitamin D status is associated with 1,5-anhydro-d-glucitol status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Serum 1,5-anhydro-d-glucitol (1,5-AG) concentrations are short-term hyperglycemia indicators and were used to estimate the effects of serum vitamin D concentrations on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Serum concentrations of 1,5-AG, 25-hydroxyvitamin D₂ (25-OH-D₂), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25-OH-D₃) from 11 026 patients with T2DM, hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Central Hospital of Xuhui District, from January 2012 to June 2015, were retrospectively analyzed. Correlation analyses revealed correlations between 1,5-AG and 25-OH-D₃ (r = 0.05, P < 0.001), age (r = 0.05, P < 0.001), and 25-OH-D₂ + 25-OH-D₃ (25-OH-D₂/D₃) (r = 0.05, P < 0.001). Linear regression analyses revealed associations between 1,5-AG and 25-OH-D₂/D₃ (adjusted R² = 0.003) as well as 25-OH-D₃ (adjusted R² = 0.002). In males with 1,5-AG levels ≤11.55 mg/L, serum concentrations of 25-OH-D₂ (P < 0.001) and 25-OH-D₃ (P = 0.001) were significantly lower than those in diabetic males with 1,5-AG levels >11.55 mg/L. Serum concentrations of 25-OH-D₂/D₃ in patients with T2DM were associated with 1,5-AG retention, suggesting involvement in glycemic control.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Their Association with Vitamin D Deficiency in Mexican Women of Reproductive Age

Based on a nationally representative sample of young Mexican women aged 20 to 49 years (n = 3260), we sought to explore whether cardiovascular risk factors and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were associated with vitamin D deficiency (VDD, defined as 25-OH-D <50 nmol/L). To this end, we obtained sociodemographic, serum and anthropometric data from the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT 2012). Analyses were developed through logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders. The prevalence of VDD was significantly higher in obese women (42.5%, 95% CI; 37.3–47.9) compared to women with a normal body mass index (29.9%, 95% CI; 23.5–37.1, p = 0.05), in those with high total cholesterol (TC) (45.6% 95% CI; 39.4–51.9) compared to those with normal TC levels (33.9%, 95% CI 30–38.1, p = 0.03), and in those with insulin resistance (IR) (44%, 95% CI; 36.9–51.7) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (58.6%, 95% CI 46.9–69.4) compared to those with normal glycemia (no insulin resistance: 34.7%, 95% CI; 30.9–38.8, p = 0.04 and no T2DM: 34.9%, 95% CI 31.4–38.6, p < 0.001). Utilizing individual models to estimate cardiovascular risk according to VDD, we found that the odds of being obese (odds ratio, OR: 1.53, 95% CI 1.02–2.32, p = 0.05), or having high TC levels (OR: 1.43, 95% CI; 1.05–2.01, p = 0.03), T2DM (OR: 2.64, 95% CI; 1.65–4.03, p < 0.001), or IR (OR: 1.48, 95% CI 1.04–2.10, p = 0.026) were significantly higher in women with VDD (p < 0.05). Odds were not statistically significant for overweight, high blood pressure, sedentarism, AMI, high serum concentration of triglycerides, homocysteine, or C-reactive protein models. In conclusion, our results indicate that young Mexican women with VDD show a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors.

Clinical Management of Low Vitamin D: A Scoping Review of Physicians' Practices

The role of vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of non-skeletal health issues has received significant media and research attention in recent years. Costs associated with clinical management of low vitamin D (LVD) have increased exponentially. However, no clear evidence supports vitamin D screening to improve health outcomes. Authoritative bodies and professional societies do not recommend population-wide vitamin D screening in community-dwelling adults who are asymptomatic or at low risk of LVD. To assess patterns of physicians’ management of LVD in this conflicting environment, we conducted a scoping review of three electronic databases and the gray literature. Thirty-eight records met inclusion criteria and were summarized in an evidence table. Thirteen studies published between 2006 and 2015 across seven countries showed a consistent increase in vitamin D lab tests and related costs. Many vitamin D testing patterns reflected screening rather than targeted testing for individuals at high risk of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. Interventions aimed at managing inappropriate clinical practices related to LVD were effective in the short term. Variability and controversy were pervasive in many aspects of vitamin D management, shining a light on physicians’ practices in the face of uncertainty. Future research is needed to inform better clinical guidelines and to assess implementation practices that encourage evidence-based management of LVD in adult populations.

Vitamin D status and dietary intake in a Swedish COPD population

INTRODUCTION

Emerging evidence indicates that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a poorer vitamin D status than the general population, possibly affecting several comorbidities. In northern latitudes, these problems could be even more accentuated in wintertime because of the low ultraviolet B radiation.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the dietary intake of vitamin D and the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) in a COPD population compared with a reference group in Swedish settings.

METHODS

Ninety-eight COPD patients (forced expiratory volume in 1 s/vital capacity ratio < 0.65) recruited from the outpatient clinics at the university hospitals in Gothenburg and Uppsala, Sweden were included in this cross-sectional study. The reference group (149 individuals) was randomly selected from the Swedish National Registry. The serum concentrations of 25-OH-D, intact parathyroid hormone, creatinine and calcium were measured. A trained dietitian conducted a dietary history interview to evaluate food intake of vitamin D, prescribed drugs and supplements containing vitamin D.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The mean serum concentration of 25-OH-D was significantly higher in the reference group (57.6 ± 23 nmol/L) compared with the COPD group (51.5 ± 22 nmol/L) (P = 0.039). The dietary intake was predominantly below the recommendations in both groups. Mean total daily intake of vitamin D and mean daily supplementation of vitamin D was significantly higher in the COPD group (P = 0.012 and P = 0.030, respectively). Low intake of vitamin D and low serum levels of 25-OH-D are common in both COPD patients and an elderly Swedish population. Monitoring vitamin D status and possibly routinely treating COPD patients with vitamin D and calcium should be considered to minimise the risk of severe vitamin D deficiency among COPD patients.

The relationship of serum vitamin D with pre-eclampsia in the Iranian women

Vitamin D deficiency may be a risk factor for negative outcome in pregnancy, such as pre-term labour, low birthweight, intrauterine growth retardation and gestational diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D and pre-eclampsia. This was a case-control study of 59 pre-eclamptic women and 59 healthy pregnant women selected in two hospitals in Ahvaz, Iran. Women with term singleton pregnancy, nulliparous and of reproductive age were selected. Venous blood samples (2 mL) were taken and the level of 25-dihydroxy vitamin D (25-OH-D) was measured. If the levels of 25-OH-D were less than 10 ng mL(-1), between 10 ng mL(-1) and 29 ng mL(-1) and more than 30 ng mL(-1), they were considered as indicating deficient, insufficient and normal 25-OH-D concentrations, respectively. The independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, chi-square and logistic regression were used for analysing the data. Vitamin D deficiency was significantly higher in the pre-eclampsia group [odds ratio (OR) = 24.04, confidence interval (CI) = 2.10-274.8, P = 0.01]. Older women (30-35 years) were more likely to develop pre-eclampsia compared with the control group (OR = 10.36, CI = 2.18-49.09, P = 0.003). The results showed that women with body mass index (BMI) <20 were more likely to develop pre-eclampsia. The ages between 20 years and 30 years and normal BMI were not the risk factors for pre-eclampsia. Vitamin D deficiency has a statistically significant relationship with pre-eclampsia. It seems that the serum vitamin D levels are low in Iranian women because of their particular lifestyle and they may need more than 400 IU day(-1) vitamin D supplement during pregnancy.