The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Hepcidin, Iron Status, and Inflammation in Pregnant Women in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Iron and vitamin D deficiencies are common during pregnancy. Our aim was to identify whether antenatal vitamin D3 supplementation affects iron status (via hepcidin suppression) and/or inflammation. Using a subset of the UK multicenter Maternal Vitamin D Osteoporosis Study (MAVIDOS)—a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (ISRCTN82927713; EudraCT2007-001716-23)—we performed a secondary laboratory analysis. Women with blood samples from early and late pregnancy (vitamin D3 (1000 IU/day from ~14 weeks gestation n = 93; placebo n = 102) who gave birth in the springtime (March–May) were selected as we anticipated seeing the greatest treatment group difference in change in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentration. Outcomes were hepcidin, ferritin, C-reactive protein, and α1-acid glycoprotein concentration in late pregnancy (25OHD concentration was measured previously). By late pregnancy, 25OHD concentration increased by 17 nmol/L in the vitamin D3 group and decreased by 11 nmol/L in the placebo group; hepcidin, ferritin, and inflammatory markers decreased but no treatment group differences were seen. In late pregnancy, positive relationships between 25OHD and hepcidin and 25OHD and ferritin in the placebo group were observed but not in the treatment group (group × 25OHD interaction, p < 0.02). Vitamin D3 supplementation had no effect on hepcidin, ferritin, or inflammatory status suggesting no adjunctive value of vitamin D3 in reducing rates of antenatal iron deficiency.

The Effect of Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Hepcidin, Iron, and IL-6 Responses after a 100 km Ultra-Marathon

“…Although the differences in 25(OH)D levels between two groups were significant, we did not notice a dissimilarity in hepcidin levels between VD and CON before the run (pre). While few studies have investigated the association of vitamin D with hepcidin, our findings are consistent with the data of a study conducted by Braithwaite et al [44] where pregnant women received 1000 IU of vitamin D 3 per day for 14 weeks. Likewise, in older Mexican adults, circulating 25(OH)D concentrations were not associated with hepcidin levels [45].…”

“…Further, in our study, serum 25(OH)D concentration was 27.82 ± 5.88 ng/mL after supplementation whereas in the trial conducted by Bacchetta et al the value was 43.5 ± 3 ng/mL [23]. Based on data presented in this study and also in the trial conducted by Braithwaite et al, we suppose that vitamin D 3 doses from 1000 IU/day to 10,000 IU/day are too small to increase 25(OH)D concentration to a sufficient level which could support inhibition of the synthesis of hepcidin at rest [44].…”

Anemia of Inflammation with An Emphasis on Chronic Kidney Disease

“…However, the calcitriol form of vitamin D did not reduce serum hepcidin concentrations among individuals with mild to moderate CKD [150]. Similarly, in pregnant women, vitamin D3 supplementation did not influence hepcidin, ferritin, or inflammatory status, indicating no beneficial effect in alleviating iron depletion in the subjects [151]. Further studies are needed to confirm the long-term effect of vitamin D in CKD patients.…”

Lipids and organic acids in three gut locations affect feed efficiency of commercial pigs as revealed by LC–MS-based metabolomics

“…Bile acids facilitate the absorption and metabolism of dietary lipids and fat-soluble vitamins 22 . Vitamin D (VD), as a fat-soluble prohormone steroid, improves calcium absorption, mediates the immune response and tempers inflammation in the intestine 23 . Previous studies have found that oral probiotics can increase VD levels in plasma 24 .…”