Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2026

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
10:46

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data

Published on: December 9, 2015

Vitamin D supplementation improves cytokine profiles in patients with congestive heart failure: a double-blind,

Stefanie S Schleithoff1, Armin Zittermann, Gero Tenderich

  • 1Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|April 8, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin D supplementation in congestive heart failure (CHF) patients reduced inflammation markers like tumor necrosis factor alpha. However, it did not significantly impact survival rates over 15 months.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Elevated proinflammatory cytokines are implicated in congestive heart failure (CHF) pathogenesis.
  • In vitro studies suggest vitamin D modulates cytokine production, suppressing proinflammatory and increasing anti-inflammatory types.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of vitamin D supplementation on survival and biochemical markers in CHF patients.

Main Methods:

  • A 9-month randomized trial involving 123 CHF patients, assigning them to vitamin D3 plus calcium or placebo plus calcium.
  • Biochemical variables were measured at baseline and 9 months; survival was tracked for 15 months.

Main Results:

  • Vitamin D supplementation significantly increased 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and interleukin 10, while decreasing parathyroid hormone.
  • Proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor alpha remained stable in the vitamin D group but increased in the placebo group.
  • No significant difference in survival rates was observed between the groups over the 15-month follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin D3 demonstrates potential as an anti-inflammatory agent for CHF, modulating the inflammatory environment.
  • The findings suggest a role for the vitamin D-parathyroid hormone axis in CHF progression.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies01:22

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies

Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.
Heart Failure V: Medical Management01:30

Heart Failure V: Medical Management

Medical Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)The primary goals of therapy for patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) include:Relieving symptomsOptimizing volume statusSupporting oxygenation and ventilationMaintaining cardiac output (CO) and end-organ perfusionIdentifying and addressing the cause of ADHFPreventing complicationsProviding patient education on factors precipitating HF exacerbationPlanning for dischargeOngoing monitoring and assessment...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
Heart Failure III: Clinical Manifestations01:26

Heart Failure III: Clinical Manifestations

Heart failure (HF) manifests primarily as dyspnea, fatigue, and fluid retention, resulting in peripheral and pulmonary edema. Symptoms may vary depending on which ventricle is more affected, left or right.Left-Sided Heart FailureAlso known as left ventricular failure, this condition results from the left ventricle's inability to fill or eject sufficient blood into the systemic circulation. It leads to pulmonary congestion, which occurs when the left ventricle fails to eject blood effectively...
Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents

Positive inotropic agents are commonly used as the first line of treatment for heart failure. One such agent is digoxin, derived from the genus Digitalis, which has been known for centuries but effectively utilized since 1785. However, these cardiac glycosides can have potentially toxic effects due to their mechanism of action, which involves inhibiting Na+/K+-ATPase and increasing contractility. Digoxin is absorbed orally and distributed in various tissues, including the CNS. It has a long...