The relationship between circulating vitamin D3 and subclinical atherosclerosis in an elderly Asian population

Abstract

The current evidence regarding the association between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular diseases/metabolic disorders is contradictory and inconclusive. In this large-scale observational study, we investigated the relationship between the serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 [25(OH)D] concentration and subclinical atherosclerosis in an elderly Asian population. In the I-Lan longitudinal study (ILAS), 1798 elderly, aged 50 and older, were enrolled. For each subject, serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 [25(OH)D] concentration and demographic data were recorded. The participants were divided into two groups according to their serum 25(OH)D level (sufficient, > 20 ng/mL and deficient, ≤ 20 ng/mL). Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) was measured at bilateral common carotid arteries. Subclinical atherosclerosis was defined as a mean cIMT > 0.81 mm. The mean subject age was 64 ± 9 years old, and 604 (33.6%) were identified as having serum 25(OH)D level ≤ 20 ng/mL. Subjects with serum 25(OH)D level ≤ 20 ng/mL were younger, more likely to be female and smoker, and had a higher incidence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome, compared to those with serum 25(OH)D level > 20 ng/mL. Additionally, patients with serum 25(OH)D level ≤ 20 ng/mL were associated with a lower risk of subclinical atherosclerosis (crude OR: 0.63, 95% CI 0.50–0.81, p < 0.001), according to univariate analysis. However, after adjusting for gender and age, serum 25(OH)D level ≤ 20 ng/mL was not a significant risk factor for subclinical atherosclerosis. Serum 25(OH)D level ≤ 20 ng/mL was not an independent risk factor for subclinical atherosclerosis in this large elderly Asian population. Association observed in the univariate analysis may be confounded by gender or comorbidities.

Smoking behavior and circulating vitamin D levels in adults: A meta‐analysis

“…There were 36 studies did not have the required data or did not contain sufficiently detailed data and that could not be obtained by contacting the authors. Finally, this meta‐analysis included 24 articles (Alam et al., 2018 ; Bianchi et al., 2012 ; Chaudhuri et al., 2013 ; Cuomo et al., 2019 ; Cutillas‐Marco et al., 2012 ; Díaz‐Gómez et al., 2007 ; Hermann et al., 2000 ; Jorde et al., 2019 ; Kassi et al., 2015 ; Kim et al., 2018 ; Klingberg et al., 2015 ; Li et al., 2016 ; Lokki et al., 2020 ; Lu et al., 2020 ; Mulligan et al., 2014 ; Okan et al., 2020 ; Richard et al., 2017 ; Schierbeck et al., 2012 ; Schmitt et al., 2018 ; Stürmer et al., 2015 ; Supervía et al., 2006 ; Tonnesen et al., 2016 ; Xu et al., 2020 ) (Table 1 ). The 24 studies involved 11,340 participants: 1,399 smokers and 9,941 nonsmokers were included in this meta‐analysis (when quitters are present, they are classified as nonsmokers and compared with current smokers and current nonsmokers).…”

“…There were 36 studies did not have the required data or did not contain sufficiently detailed data and that could not be obtained by contacting the authors. Finally, this meta-analysis included 24 articles (Alam et al, 2018;Bianchi et al, 2012;Chaudhuri et al, 2013;Cuomo et al, 2019;Cutillas-Marco et al, 2012;Díaz-Gómez et al, 2007;Hermann et al, 2000;Jorde et al, 2019;Kassi et al, 2015;Kim et al, 2018;Klingberg et al, 2015;Li et al, 2016;Lokki et al, 2020;Lu et al, 2020;Mulligan et al, 2014;Okan et al, 2020;Richard et al, 2017;Schierbeck et al, 2012;Schmitt et al, 2018;Stürmer et al, 2015;Supervía et al, 2006;Tonnesen et al, 2016;Xu et al, 2020)…”

Leukocyte telomere length as a compensatory mechanism in vitamin D metabolism

“…Vitamin D deficiency is a common risk factor for aging and age-related diseases [ 11 , 27 ]. Telomere length is one of the potential protective mechanisms especially for age-related diseases including cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases [ 28 ].…”

Regional and demographic variations of Carotid artery Intima and Media Thickness (CIMT): A Systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Heredity and certain genotypes [ 27 , 28 ], immunological diseases [ 111 , 112 ], inflammatory cytokines, hematological parameters [ 30 , 112 – 114 ] and vitamin D [ 115 ] have been reported to be potential risk factors for increased CIMTs. In our review, we did not find these to be risk factors probably due to the specific study designs, study populations and outcomes considered by us.…”

“…In our meta-analysis there was a significant difference in the pooled mean CIMT values between the age groups with older age groups having higher CIMT values. Heredity and certain genotypes [27,28], immunological diseases [111,112], inflammatory cytokines, hematological parameters [30,[112][113][114] and vitamin D [115] have been reported to be potential risk factors for increased CIMTs. In our review, we did not find these to be risk factors probably due to the specific study designs, study populations and outcomes considered by us.…”