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Title: A randomized study on the effect of Vitamin D3 supplementation on skeletal muscle morphology and Vitamin D receptor concentration in older women

Author
item CEGLIA, LISA - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item NIRAMITMAHAPANYA, SATHIT - Rangsit University
item DA SILVA MORAIS, MAURICIO - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item RIVAS, DONATO - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item HARRIS, SUSAN - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item BISCHOFF-FERRARI, HEIKE - University Of Zurich
item FIELDING, ROGER - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item DAWSON-HUGHES, BESS - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University

Submitted to: Clinical Endocrinology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/7/2013
Publication Date: 12/1/2013
Citation: Ceglia, L., Niramitmahapanya, S., Da Silva Morais, M., Rivas, D.A., Harris, S., Bischoff-Ferrari, H., Fielding, R.A., Dawson-Hughes, B. 2013. A randomized study on the effect of Vitamin D3 supplementation on skeletal muscle morphology and Vitamin D receptor concentration in older women. Clinical Endocrinology. 98(12):E1937-1935.

Interpretive Summary: Studies examining whether vitamin D supplementation increases muscle mass or the concentration of vitamin D receptors in the muscles are lacking. Our objective was to determine whether vitamin D3 supplements of 4000 IU (international units) per day alter the cross-sectional area of muscle fiber (FCSA) and the concentration of vitamin D receptors within muscle cell nuclei. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in a single center. The study featured 21 participants: mobility-limited women 65 years or older. Vitamin D3 supplementation increased the muscle cell nucleus concentration of vitamin D receptors by 30% and increased muscle fiber size by 10% in these women. Further work is needed to confirm these findings in a larger sample and to determine whether our two main findings are related, that is, whether vitamin D increases muscle fiber size by activating the vitamin D receptors. Additionally, it will be important to identify the signaling pathways involved.

Technical Abstract: Studies examining whether vitamin D supplementation increases muscle mass or muscle-specific vitamin D receptor (VDR) concentration are lacking. Our objective was to determine whether vitamin D3 4000 IU/d alters muscle fiber cross-sectional area (FCSA) and intramyonuclear VDR concentration over 4 months. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in a single center. Participants were 21 mobility-limited women (aged greater than or equal to65 years) with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels of 22.5 to 60 nmol/L. Baseline and 4-month FCSA and intramyonuclear VDR were measured from vastus lateralis muscle cross-sections probed for muscle fiber type (I/IIa/IIx) and VDR using immunofluorescence. At baseline, mean (+/-D) age was 78 +/-5 years; body mass index was 27 +/- 5 kg/m2, 25OHD was 46.3 +/- 9.5 nmol/L, and a short physical performance battery score was 7.95 +/- 1.57 out of 12. At 4 months, 25OHD level was 52.5+/-17.1 (placebo) vs 80.0+/-11.5 nmol/L (vitamin D [VD]; P<.01), and change in 25OHD level was strongly associated with percent change in intramyonuclear VDR concentration-independent of group (r = 0.87, P < .001). By treatment group, percent change in intramyonuclear VDR concentration was 7.8% +/-18.2% (placebo) vs 29.7% +/- 11.7% (VD; P = .03) with a more pronounced group difference in type II vs I fibers. Percent change in total (type I/II) FCSA was -7.4% +/- 18.9% (placebo) vs 10.6% +/- 20.0% (VD; P = .048). Vitamin D3 supplementation increased intramyonuclear VDR concentration by 30% and increased muscle fiber size by 10% in older, mobility-limited, vitamin D-insufficient women. Further work is needed to determine whether the observed effect of vitamin D on fiber size is mediated by the VDR and to identify which signaling pathways are involved.