Bidirectional associations between circulating vitamin D and cholesterol levels: The Rotterdam Study

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Cardiovascular Health
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Vitamin D sufficiency is linked to reduced cardiovascular disease risk, potentially via improved lipid profiles.
• Previous research on vitamin D and lipid associations shows inconsistent results, with unclear directionality.
• Understanding the bidirectional relationship between vitamin D and cholesterol is crucial for cardiovascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the bidirectional associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and cholesterol concentrations.
• To clarify the direction of influence between vitamin D and lipid levels in an aging population.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 1165 participants (aged 55-88) in the population-based Rotterdam Study.
• Measured serum 25(OH)D, total cholesterol (TC), and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) at two time points, 6 years apart.
• Employed path analyses within cross-lagged models to assess bidirectional associations, adjusting for covariates.

Main Results:

• Higher baseline total cholesterol concentrations were associated with subsequent lower 25(OH)D levels (β = -0.05).
• Baseline 25(OH)D did not predict future total cholesterol concentrations.
• A bidirectional inverse association was observed between HDL cholesterol and 25(OH)D (β = -0.03 in both directions).

Conclusions:

• Total cholesterol may influence 25(OH)D levels, but not vice versa, suggesting a unidirectional relationship.
• The inverse association between HDL cholesterol and 25(OH)D appears to be bidirectional.
• Findings highlight complex interrelationships between vitamin D status and lipid profiles, with implications for cardiovascular risk assessment.