25(OH)D3 and cardiovascular risk factors in female nonhuman primates.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if interindividual differences in plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) (25(OH)D(3)) have pathophysiologic significance, we evaluated a cohort of female monkeys, seeking to identify associations with clinically relevant cardiovascular risk factors, including age, abdominal obesity (waist circumference), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).

METHODS

One hundred fifty-five female vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus) aged 3-25 years consumed a typical western diet for 7-8 weeks that provided a woman's equivalent of approximately 1000 IU/day of vitamin D(3). Measurements of vitamin D(3) and HDL-C concentrations, as well as waist circumference, were obtained.

RESULTS

Among young monkeys (aged 3-5 years), compared to older monkeys (aged 16-25 years), the mean plasma 25(OH)D(3) concentrations were 82.3±3.2 ng/mL and 58.6±2.9 ng/mL (p<0.0001), respectively. Plasma 25(OH)D(3) concentrations had a range of 19.6-142.0 ng/mL (mean±standard error [SE] 66.4±1.7 ng/mL). 25(OH)D(3) concentrations were inversely associated with age (p<0.0001) and waist circumference (p=0.016) and were positively correlated with HDL-C (p=0.01). However, when statistically controlling for age, none of these relationships remained significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher plasma concentrations of 25(OH)D(3) were associated with more favorable cardiovascular risk factors, with inverse associations observed between 25(OH)D(3) and abdominal obesity, HDL-C, and age. These associations were no longer significant when controlling for age.