Association between Serum 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 and Carotid Plaques and Intima-Media Thickness

Abstract

Introduction Many epidemiological studies have found that low vitamin D level is associated with cardiovascular diseases. But the optimal level for cardiovascular health remains unclear. The present study aimed to assess the association between 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 concentration and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis.

Methods 1,815 Korean participants aged 19-86 who underwent medical checkups were enrolled between March 2006 and December 2009. Cross-sectional relationships between quintiles of serum 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 concentration and common carotid artery (CCA) structures using ultrasonography (CCA intima-media thickness [IMT], occurrence, numbers, and volume of plaque) were investigated adjusting for possible confounders.

Results Among female participants, occurrence of plaque, numbers and volumes of CCA plaques showed the J or U shaped association with 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 concentration. In the concentration of 3rd quintile (31.8-38.8 pg/ml) and 4th quintile (38.9-48.5 pg/ml), participants showed decreased adjusted Odds ratio (aOR) for occurrence of CCA plaque (aOR 0.26, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09–0.74, 3rd quintile and aOR 0.38, 95% CI, 0.15–0.94, 4th quintile, respectively) in multivariate logistic regression model. Similarly, deceased number and volume of CCA plaque were demonstrated in of 3rd and 4th quintile (p=0.022 and 0.023 for number of plaque, and p =0.030 and 0.020 for volume of plaque in analysis of covariance [ANCOVA], respectively). Among male participants, we found no association between occurrence, numbers and volumes of CCA plaques and 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 concentration. We found no significant association between CCA IMT and 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 concentration both in ANCOVA and in multivariate logistic regression analysis in the whole participants.

Conclusions The results of present study indicate that adequate vitamin D concentration, not too low or too high level, is associated with decrease of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis among Korean women, but not among Korean men. Further studies are needed to elucidate optimal levels of vitamin D for cardiovascular health.