JoVE - Journal of Visualized Experiments
JoVE Visualize
Contact Us

Effects of vitamin D supplementation on the glycaemic indices, lipid profile and liver function tests in patients with cirrhosis: a double-blind randomised controlled trial

  • 0Student Research Committee, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Bmj Nutrition, Prevention & Health +

|

January 30, 2025

|

January 30, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Vitamin D supplementation improved key health markers in cirrhosis patients. This study showed significant reductions in fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance, alongside increased vitamin D levels.

Area Of Science

  • Hepatology
  • Endocrinology
  • Nutritional Science

Background

  • Liver cirrhosis is a progressive, life-threatening condition.
  • Vitamin D deficiency is common in cirrhosis patients.
  • Limited research exists on vitamin D supplementation's effects in this population.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To evaluate vitamin D supplementation's impact on lipid profiles, glycemic indices, and liver function in cirrhosis patients.
  • To investigate changes in serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin-D3 (25(OH)D3) levels.

Main Methods

  • A 12-week, double-blind, randomized controlled trial involving 60 cirrhosis patients.
  • Participants received weekly 50,000 IU vitamin D3 or placebo.
  • Assessed serum 25(OH)D3, glycemic indices (insulin, HbA1c, FBG, HOMA-IR), lipid profile, and liver function tests pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results

  • Vitamin D supplementation significantly increased serum 25(OH)D3 levels (p<0.001).
  • Significant reductions were observed in fasting blood glucose (FBG) (p=0.006) and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p=0.001).
  • No significant differences in baseline variables between groups.

Conclusions

  • Vitamin D supplementation effectively improves glycemic control, specifically FBG and HOMA-IR, in patients with liver cirrhosis.
  • Supplementation also successfully elevates serum 25(OH)D3 levels in this cohort.

Keywords:

Related Concept Videos

Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis 01:23

5.0K

The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
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...

Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents 01:20

524

Hyperlipidemia, a medical condition often referred to as high cholesterol, is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the bloodstream. When present in excess, these lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, can lead to serious health complications, often involving cardiovascular diseases. Illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and pancreatitis have all been linked to untreated hyperlipidemia. This means controlling and regulating cholesterol and triglyceride...

Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors 01:23

165

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) is a serine protease widely distributed in the body. It's involved in the inactivation of GLP-1 and GIP hormones, which are crucial for insulin regulation. DPP-4 inhibitors, such as sitagliptin (Januvia), saxagliptin (Onglyza), linagliptin (Tradjenta), alogliptin (Nesina), and vildagliptin (Galvus), help increase the proportion of active GLP-1, enhancing insulin secretion. These inhibitors work by competitively binding to DPP-4. This binding causes a...

Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder 01:26

419

Liver and gallbladder diseases are a significant health concern, with prominent conditions including cirrhosis, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and gallstones. Jaundice is a common manifestation of liver and biliary disease.
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not...

Liver Physiology 01:30

413

The liver, an essential organ in the human body, performs over 200 vital functions that can be broadly categorized into metabolic, hematological, endocrine regulation, and bile production.
Metabolic Regulation:
The liver is the central organ involved in regulating blood composition. It stabilizes blood glucose levels, maintaining them within the range of  70–110 mg/dL. When these levels drop, the liver breaks down glycogen reserves and releases glucose into the bloodstream. It can...

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones 01:26

164

Biguanides, particularly metformin (Glucophage), are insulin sensitizers that enhance glucose uptake, thereby reducing insulin resistance. Unlike sulfonylureas, metformin doesn't prompt insulin secretion, which helps to curb hypoglycemia risk. Metformin is beneficial in treating conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome due to its insulin-resistance reduction capability. The drug's primary action involves curtailing hepatic gluconeogenesis, a significant contributor to high blood...