BACKGROUND & AIMS: Vitamin D supplementation has the potential to alleviate the cardiovascular damage in diabetic patients. The present study was designed to evaluate long term impact of high doses of vitamin D on arterial properties, glucose homeostasis, adiponectin and leptin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In randomized, placebo-controlled study 47 diabetic patients were assigned into two groups: Group 1 received oral daily supplementation with vitamin D at a dose of 1000 U/day for 12 months. Group 2 received matching placebo capsules. Blood sampling for metabolic parameters, including fasting glucose, lipid profile, HbA1C, insulin, hs-CRP, 25 OH Vit D, adiponectin and leptin was performed at baseline and at the end of the study. Insulin resistance was assessed by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). Central aortic augmentation index (AI) was evaluated using SphygmoCor.

RESULTS

The two groups were similar at baseline in terms of hemodynamic parameters. After 12 months, AI decreased significantly during the treatment period in patients received vitamin D (p < 0.0001) and did not change in placebo group. Glucose homeostasis parameters, leptin as well as leptin adiponectin ratio did not change in both groups. 25 OH Vit D level significantly increased (p = 0.022) and circulating adiponectin marginally increased (p = 0.065) during 12 month treatment period in active treatment and did not change in placebo group.

CONCLUSIONS

High doses of vitamin D supplementation in diabetic patients was associated with significant decrease in AI during one year treatment. This beneficial vascular effect was not associated with improvement in glucose homeostasis parameters.