N05081: Vitamin D status and associated health outcomes: towards an evidence basis for defining vitamin D status sufficient to reduce risk of chronic disease
Monday 8 September 2008
Background
This research project will examine the relationship between vitamin D status and markers of bone turnover, cardiovascular health and metabolic health.
Research Approach
The project will analyse serum samples arising from a randomised controlled intervention study (FSA project N05063) of 240 younger (20-40 years) and 240 older adults (65+ years). Subjects were supplemented at levels of either 0, 5, 10 or 15 µg/day vitamin D3. The serum samples will be analysed for markers of:
- bone turnover (NTx, CTx, osteocalcin, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase)
- cardiovascular health (high sensitivity C reactive protein, fibrinogen, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, cell adhesion molecule, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, CD40L)
- metabolic health (fasting insulin and glucose, fasting serum total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides)
The project will also determine subjects' vitamin D receptor genotype and vitamin D binding protein phenotype in order to assess their effect on baseline vitamin D status and on metabolic response to increased vitamin D intakes.
The analysis of markers within this project is part-funded by the Irish Government Department of Food and Agriculture.