Skeletal and Hormonal Responses to Vitamin D Supplementation During Sunlight Deprivation in Antarctic Expeditioners

Overview

Journal Osteoporos Int

Specialties Endocrinology
Orthopedics

Date 2012 Jan 5

PMID 22215183

Citations 5

Authors

S Iuliano-Burns

J Ayton

S Hillam

G Jones

K King

S MacLeod

E Seeman

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Unlabelled: Sunlight deprivation results in vitamin D deficiency but serum vitamin D levels can be maintained above 50 nmol/L when supplemented with 50,000 IU at least every alternate month.

Introduction: Antarctic expeditioners are exposed to prolonged sunlight deprivation resulting in vitamin D deficiency. We hypothesised that monthly dosing of 50,000 IU vitamin D (~1,600 IU daily) will increase serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), suppress parathyroid hormone (PTH) and improve bone mineral density (BMD), 50,000 IU alternate months (~800 IU daily) will maintain these measures, while a single 50,000 IU dose pre-departure (~1,00 IU daily) will not be protective.

Methods: This was a randomised double-blind study involving 110 healthy adults: 91 males, mean age 41 years (range 24-65 years) working in Antarctica for up to 12 months, who we administered 50,000 IU vitamin D3 monthly, alternate months or a single dose pre-departure. Serum 25(OH)D, PTH, osteocalcin, CTx and calcium were assessed at baseline, mid- and end of expedition. Proximal femur and lumbar spine BMD were assessed pre- and post-expedition.

Results: Baseline 25(OH)D was 59 ± 14 nmol/L. By mid-expedition, 25(OH)D increased by 7 nmol/L in those supplemented monthly (p < 0.05) and remained unchanged in those supplemented in alternate months. In those given a single dose pre-departure, 25(OH)D decreased by 8 nmol/L (p < 0.05) and PTH increased by 27% (p < 0.09). Serum osteocalcin increased by ~22% in all groups but BMD remained unchanged. If serum 25(OH)D was >50 nmol/L at baseline, 25(OH)D was maintained above this level with all regimens. If 25(OH)D was <50 nmol/L at baseline, monthly or alternate month regimens were needed to achieve levels >50 nmol/L, the single pre-departure dose was ineffective.

Conclusion: During sunlight deprivation of up to 12 months, serum 25(OH)D levels can be maintained above 50 nmol/L when expeditioners are provided with 50,000 I U at least every alternate month.

Citing Articles

Vitamin D status and supplementation in Antarctica: a systematic review and meta- analysis.

Cabalin C, Iturriaga C, Perez-Mateluna G, Echeverria D, Camargo Jr C, Borzutzky A Int J Circumpolar Health. 2021; 80(1):1926133.

PMID: 33983101 PMC: 8128169. DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2021.1926133.

Effects of Supplemental Vitamin D on Bone Health Outcomes in Women and Men in the VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL).

LeBoff M, Chou S, Murata E, Donlon C, Cook N, Mora S J Bone Miner Res. 2020; 35(5):883-893.

PMID: 31923341 PMC: 7217747. DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.3958.

Association between 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, Parathyroid Hormone, Vitamin D and Calcium Intake, and Bone Density in Healthy Adult Women: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the D-SOL Study.

Mendes M, Hart K, Lanham-New S, Botelho P Nutrients. 2019; 11(6).

PMID: 31167443 PMC: 6628165. DOI: 10.3390/nu11061267.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the response of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration to vitamin D supplementation from RCTs from around the globe.

Mo M, Wang S, Chen Z, Muyiduli X, Wang S, Shen Y Eur J Clin Nutr. 2019; 73(6):816-834.

PMID: 30872787 DOI: 10.1038/s41430-019-0417-x.

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Reid I, Bolland M Osteoporos Int. 2014; 25(10):2347-57.

PMID: 24846318 DOI: 10.1007/s00198-014-2749-7.

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