Vitamin D suppresses proangiogenic factors in patients with ulcerative colitis: A randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Angiogenesis and inflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). This study aimed to assess the effect of vitamin D on serum levels of proangiogenic factors, visfatin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), in patients with UC.

Materials and methods: Ninety patients were randomized to receive either a single intramuscular injection of 300,000 IU vitamin D or normal saline. Visfatin, VEGF, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations were assessed before and 90 days after the intervention.

Results: There were no significant differences in visfatin and VEGF levels between the two groups following supplementation. In patients with vitamin D insufficiency, visfatin increase was significantly lower in the intervention versus placebo group. There was an inverse correlation between serum 25(OH)D and visfatin in the subgroup with vitamin D insufficiency.

Conclusion: Vitamin D might be beneficial in decreasing proangiogenic factors such as visfatin in UC patients with low 25(OH)D levels.

Keywords: Ulcerative colitis; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Visfatin; Vitamin D.