The effect of a single, large bolus of vitamin D in healthy adults over the winter and following year: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: MD Kearns, Emory University; JNG Binongo, Emory University; D Watson, Emory University; Jessica A. Alvarez, Emory University; D Lodin, Emory University; Thomas R Ziegler, Emory University; Vin Tangpricha, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2015-02-01
• Publisher: Springer Nature [academic journals on nature.com]: Hybrid Journals
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2015 Macmillan Publishers Limited All rights reserved.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2014.209
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
• ISSN: 0954-3007
• Volume: 69
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: 193
• End Page: 197
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported in part by National Institutes of Health grants T32 DK007298-32S1 (JAA); K23 AR054334 (VT); K24 DK096574 (TRZ); and UL1 TR000454 (VT, TRZ).
• Keywords: MARKERS; 25-HYDROXYVITAMIN D; PROPHYLAXIS; DETERMINANTS; SKIN; D DEFICIENCY; CHOLECALCIFEROL; OSTEOPOROSIS; Nutrition & Dietetics; Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; SUPPLEMENTATION; ERGOCALCIFEROL
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Biology, Biostatistics

Abstract

Background/Objectives:Although single, high doses of vitamin D effectively maintain vitamin D sufficiency in several populations, no studies have evaluated healthy adults over winter, during which vitamin D status declines. This study investigated whether high-dose vitamin D 3 given once to healthy adults before winter will (1) prevent the wintertime decline in vitamin D status, (2) promote vitamin D sufficiency 1 year following the dose and (3) prevent the rise of parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations. Subjects/Methods:In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we assessed plasma 25(OH)D and PTH concentrations at baseline, 5, 90 and 365 days after drug administration in 28 healthy adults. In all, >80% of subjects returned at each time point. Results:At baseline, the young, healthy participants had a mean plasma 25(OH)D concentration of 17.5±6.1 ng/ml. Only two subjects exhibited plasma 25(OH)D concentrations >30 ng/ml. At 5 days, subjects randomized to vitamin D 3 had a higher mean plasma 25(OH)D concentration compared with the placebo group (39.1 vs 19.1 ng/ml, P<0.001). Plasma 25(OH)D concentrations returned to baseline at 90 and 365 days in the vitamin D 3 group and remained unchanged in the placebo group. PTH and calcium concentrations were unrelated to changes in 25(OH)D levels and similar between groups over time. Conclusions:A dose of 250 000 IU of vitamin D 3 given once in November resulted in a robust increase in plasma 25(OH)D after 5 days, but it was unable to sustain this increase after 90 days. A larger or more frequent dosing regimen may be needed for long-term vitamin D sufficiency.