The association between vitamin D level, lipid profile, and selected pro-inflammatory markers

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D has a well-known role in the regulation of calcium hemostasias and controlling bone metabolism. However, little is known about vitamin D status and its relation to inflammation. Recent studies suggest that vitamin D has an anti-inflammatory effect and causes down regulation of inflammation markers production, which favours less inflammation.

Objective: This study investigates the relationship between low vitamin D status, lipid profile parameters, and inflammation markers.

Methods: In this case-control observational study, 52 participants from two cities (Baghdad and Sulaymaniyah) in Iraq were enrolled. Individuals with normal and abnormal inflammatory process were included in the study. The study population was divided into two groups based on their highly sensitive C -reactive protein (Hs-CRP) level, the control group and the study group. Serum Hs-CRP and 25-hydroxy cholecalciferol [25(OH)D] levels were measured for all participants. The data were evaluated to compare differences in vitamin D status between the two groups.

Results: The overall study population showed Hypovitaminosis D, with a mean 25(OH)D level of 22.6 +15.7 ng/mL. Significantly higher Hs-CRP, ESR, WBC and lower 25(OH)D levels were observed in the study group compared to those in the control group. A higher mean 25(OH)D level was found in the control group compared to the study group (25.1 ng/mL vs. 17.9 ng/mL, p=0.033). The mean values of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein– cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein– cholesterol (LDL-C) were not significantly different across groups.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that there is an association between low vitamin D status and inflammation markers.