Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 2, 2026
Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells
Published on: December 27, 2017
Inverse relationship between vitamin D levels and platelet indices in Korean adults
Yon Chul Park1, Jin Kim1, Min Seok Seo2
1a Department of Family Medicine , Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine , Wonju , Korea.
Insights
Vitamin D deficiency is linked to higher platelet count and mean platelet volume in adults. Lower vitamin D levels correlate with increased platelet indices, suggesting a potential connection to disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Hematology
- Public Health
Background:
- Vitamin D deficiency is a global health concern linked to various diseases.
- Elevated platelet indices, such as platelet count (PC) and mean platelet volume (MPV), are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between vitamin D deficiency and platelet count (PC) and mean platelet volume (MPV) in adults.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 3190 adults categorized into vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency groups.
- Statistical analyses included Pearson's correlation, t-tests, ANOVA, and multivariate linear regression, adjusting for confounding factors.
Main Results:
- A significant inverse correlation was observed between vitamin D levels and both PC and MPV.
- After adjusting for multiple covariates, lower vitamin D levels remained significantly associated with higher PC and MPV.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D levels are inversely associated with platelet count and mean platelet volume in adults.
- These findings suggest a potential link between vitamin D status and platelet activation, which may have implications for cardiovascular and metabolic health.
Background And Aims:
Vitamin D deficiency and increased platelet indices are associated with increased rate or risk of several diseases such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome, respectively. We investigated whether vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased platelet count (PC) and mean platelet volume (MPV).
Methods And Results:
The study included 3190 subjects older than 20 years. Subjects were divided into three groups based on their vitamin D levels: vitamin D deficiency (<10.0 ng/ml); insufficiency (10-20 ng/ml); and sufficiency (>20.0 ng/ml). The associations between platelet indices and various parameters were analyzed by Pearson's correlation analysis and t-tests. Then, multivariate linear regression analyses were done correcting for associated parameters. PC and MPV showed a negative correlation with vitamin D groups by ANOVA and multiple linear regression. PC was inversely related with vitamin D group after adjusting for sex, age, regular exercise, white blood cell count, total cholesterol, hemoglobin, and creatinine levels (β ± SE = -3.461 ± 1.512, P = 0.022). MPV was also inversely related with vitamin D group after adjusting for regular exercise, hemoglobin level, and total cholesterol level (β ± SE = -0.080 ± 0.026, P = 0.002), and this relationship remained statistically significant after adjusting for regular exercise, hemoglobin level, total cholesterol level, diabetes, hypertension, and body mass index (β ± SE=-0.082 ± 0.026, P = 0.002).
Conclusion:
PC and MPV are inversely associated with vitamin D levels in adults.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Structure and Function of Platelets
Platelets are continually replenished, circulating in the bloodstream for 9-12 days before being removed by phagocytes, primarily in the spleen. A microliter of circulating blood contains between 150,000 and 450,000...
01:25Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
01:22Connective Tissue Cell Types
Fat cells (adipocytes), smooth muscle cells (myoblasts), and bone cells (osteoblasts) are some connective tissue cell types. Some immune system cells...
01:18Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...
01:23Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin...