Effects on lipid profile of supplementation with vitamin D in type 2 diabetic patients with vitamin D deficiency

Abstract

Background: Epidemiological studies suggest that vitamin D status may have an influence on lipid profile. Patients and methods: We studied consecutive type 2 diabetic patients with vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) lower than 20 ng/ml). They were treated with 16,000 IU of calcifediol orally once a week for a minimum of 8 weeks. Results: A total of 28 patients were treated for a mean time of 84.1 days (range 56-120 days). All patients achieved serum levels of 25(OH)D higher than 20 ng/ml. There was significant reduction in total cholesterol (172.1 ± 32.4 versus 164.4 ± 27.3 mg/dl, p = 0.04). There were nonsignificant reductions in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol and triglycerides. There was no change in HDL cholesterol. Conclusions: Correction of vitamin D deficiency in type 2 diabetic patients decreases total cholesterol. Our results do not rule out reductions in LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.