Background: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with indicators of pre-diabetes including, insulin resistance, β-cell dysfunction and elevated plasma glucose with controversial findings from current trials. This study aims to investigate the long-term effect of vitamin D on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in pre-diabetic and highly vitamin-deficient subjects.
Methods: One hundred thirty-two participants were randomized to 30,000 IU vitamin D weekly for 6 months. Participants underwent oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 3-month intervals to determine the change in plasma glucose concentration at 2 h after 75 g OGTT (2hPCG). Secondary measurements included glycated hemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose and insulin, post-prandial insulin, indices of insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR, Matsuda Index), β-cell function (HOMA-β, glucose and insulin area under the curve (AUC), disposition and insulinogenic indices), and lipid profile.
Results: A total of 57 (vitamin D) and 75 (placebo) subjects completed the study. Mean baseline serum 25(OH) D levels were 17.0 ng/ml and 14.9 ng/ml for placebo and vitamin D group, respectively. No significant differences were observed for 2hPC glucose or insulin sensitivity indices between groups. HOMA-β significantly decreased in the vitamin D group, while area under curve for glucose and insulin showed a significant reduction in β-cell function in both groups. Additionally, HOMA-β was found to be significantly different between control and treatment group and significance persisted after adjusting for confounding factors.
Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation in a pre-diabetic and severely vitamin-deficient population had no effect on glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity. The observed reduction in β-cell function in both placebo and vitamin D groups could be attributed to factors other than supplementation.
Trial registration: NCT02098980, 28/03/2014 (www.clinicaltrials.gov).
Keywords: Glucose metabolism; Middle East; Pre-diabetes; Vitamin D; β-Cell function.
© The Author(s). 2019.