4261 Insulin Sensitizing Effects of Vitamin D Mediated through Reduced Adipose Tissue Inflammation and Fibrosis: Evidence from a Human Randomized Trial and Mice Studies

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Vitamin D [25(OH)D], known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects in other tissues, may also impact adipose tissue. We designed parallel studies in humans and rodents to define the effects of vitamin D on adipose tissue inflammation and fibrosis, and on systemic insulin resistance. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We performed a randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled trial to examine the effects of repleting vitamin D at to two levels (to >30 ng/ml and to > 50 ng/ml) in 25(OH)D-deficient (30 ng/ml) was associated with reductions in adipose tissue expression of inflammatory (0.6-0.7-fold decreased expression of TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS and PAI-1) and pro-fibrotic (0.4-0.8-fold decreased expression of TGF-β1, HiF1α, Collagen I, V, VI and MMP7) factors, decreased collagen VI immunofluorescence (p = 0.02) and improved hepatic insulin sensitivity in humans, with suppression of endogenous glucose production (EGP) (1.28 ± 0.20 vs 0.88 ± 0.18 mg/kg/min, p = 0.03). Compared to wild type (WT), VDR KO mice exhibited increased adipose tissue expression of several pro-inflammatory (Tnf-α, iNos, Pai-1, Mcp-1 and F4/80; 4-10 fold) and pro-fibrotic genes (Tgf-β1, Collagen VI, and Tsp1; 2-4 fold), in concert with hepatic insulin resistance (EGP 10 ± 3 vs 3 ± 2 mg/kg/min in WT, p = 0.021). DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Collectively, these complementary human and rodent studies establish a beneficial role of vitamin D to improve hepatic insulin resistance, likely by restraining adipose tissue inflammation and fibrosis. Thus, normalizing 25(OH)D levels could have metabolic benefits in targeted individuals. CONFLICT OF INTEREST DESCRIPTION: N/A