Calcium, Vitamin D and Anabolic Steroid in Treatment of Aged Bones: Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Long-Term Clinical Trial

Abstract

In a double-blind trial, 327 patients (57 men) over 65 (mean age 79.5) years received all possible combinations of calcium carbonate 3 g, vitamin D3 1000 iu, methandienone 2.5 mg and/or placebos daily for 9 months. The higher incidence of bone fractures in the placebo group was not significant. Serum calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were followed: the greatest changes occurred with methandienone, which thus reduced osteoporotic activity and increased the muscular mass most effectively; calcium carbonate had the poorest effect. Surprisingly, coronary mortality was higher among those taking all three active substances. With two treatments the increase was not significant, but when both the groups receiving a combination of any two of the treatments were compared with those taking only one or neither of these two treatments, a significant increase in coronary deaths was seen, most significant (P less than 0.001) in those receiving vitamin D3 and methandienone.

Vitamin D and Cardiovascular Disease: An Appraisal of the Evidence

“…Among the sparse randomized trials that have assessed CHD, or CHD risk factors, as a secondary or tertiary outcome, there has been no correlation identified for CHD and few for CHD risk factors (Table 1) 46–58 . In a study of 327 men and women over the age of 65, those receiving Vitamin D 3 actually had an increased risk of coronary death ( P < 0.001) 58 .…”

“…Among the sparse randomized trials that have assessed CHD, or CHD risk factors, as a secondary or tertiary outcome, there has been no correlation identified for CHD and few for CHD risk factors (Table 1) 46–58 . In a study of 327 men and women over the age of 65, those receiving Vitamin D 3 actually had an increased risk of coronary death ( P < 0.001) 58 . In a double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized clinical trial in the United Kingdom, conducted among 2,686 men and women 65–85 years of age, study participants received 100,000 IU of supplemental vitamin D 3 every 4 months (equivalent to ∼833 IU daily) for 5 years 46 .…”

Vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women

“…6 In the final nonrandomized prospective study, 327 participants (57 men and 270 women), all older than 65 years (mean age, 79.5 y), were identified and analyzed. 44 The participants were followed for 9 months as they received all possible combinations of calcium carbonate (3 g), vitamin D 3 (1,000 IU), methandienone (2.5 mg), and placebo. Methandienone, an orally effective anabolic steroid, can lead to dramatic increases in protein synthesis, glycogenolysis, and muscle strength within a short space of time.…”

“…Although coronary mortality was higher among those taking all three active substances (21%; 10 of 47), a significant increase in coronary deaths was seen in those receiving vitamin D 3 and methandienone (P G 0.001). 44 In light of the paucity of information described previously, we believe that two types of additional data are needed: (1) well-designed, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled studies and (2) well-designed animal studies that can control for many confounding variables. Currently, the VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL) is designed to test the effects of vitamin D 2,000 IU/day and U-3 fatty acid supplements on cancer and CVD in 20,000 men and women.…”

“…However, a causal relationship remains to be established, and a randomized control trial with CHD as the prespecified outcome is needed. 44 Many questions regarding vitamin D supplementation and CHD risk remain unanswered. One simple question that has not been answered is, BIs elevated plasma vitamin D concentration necessary for health benefits or is it simply a marker or genetic indicator of health?…”