Effect of vitamin D replacement on insulin sensitivity in subjects with vitamin D deficiency

Vinaya Simha, Muhammad Mahmood, Mohammmed Ansari, Craig W. Spellman, Pankaj Shah

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background and Objective: Low vitamin D levels correlate with measures of insulin resistance and prevalence of diabetes mellitus, but there are limited and conflicting data on changes in insulin resistance after vitamin D replacement. The objective of the current study was to examine whether vitamin D replacement improves insulin sensitivity. Methods: In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study, 12 healthy subjects with plasma 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D) levels of less than 20 ng/mL were treated with ergocalciferol, 50,000 units, orally once a week for 8 weeks or matching placebo. The main outcome measure was insulin-stimulated glucose infusion rate during the last 20 minutes of a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic glucose clamp study. Results: At baseline, plasma 25(OH)D levels were similar between the ergocalciferol and placebo groups (13.3 ± 3.8 and 15.7 ± 2.4 ng/mL, respectively; P = 0.3) but were higher in the ergocalciferol group at 8 weeks (18.8 ± 5 vs 12.5 ± 2.2 ng/mL; P = 0.02). Glucose infusion rate was similar between the 2 groups both at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment. Changes in plasma 25(OH)D levels did not correlate with change in glucose infusion rate. Conclusion: Administration of ergocalciferol, 50,000 units, weekly for 8 weeks in subjects with low vitamin D levels improves 25(OH)D levels but does not improve insulin sensitivity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1214-1218
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Investigative Medicine
Volume60
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2012

Keywords

  • Ergocalciferol
  • Glucose clamp
  • Insulin sensitivity
  • Vitamin D deficiency

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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