Background. Vitamin D deficiency is widespread throughout the world. Several reports have incriminated vitamin D deficiency as the cause of rickets, osteomalacia, and other chronic diseases. Recent studies have suggested a possible link between deficiency of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and dyslipidemia. Aim. To investigate the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency and dyslipidemia in Indian subjects. Methodology. We recruited 150 asymptomatic consecutive subjects from patients' attendees at the Departments of Neurology and Medicine in Yashoda Hospital, Hyderabad, India. Study period was from October 2011 to March 2012. All subjects underwent 25-hydroxyvitamin D assay by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay, fasting blood sugar and lipid profile, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and C-reactive protein (CRP). Results. Out of 150 subjects, men were 82 (54.6%), and mean age was 49.4 (±15.6) years. Among risk factors, hypertension was noted in 63/150 (42%), 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency in 59/150 (39.3%), diabetes in 45/150 (30%), dyslipidemia in 60 (40%), smoking in 35/150 (23.3%), and alcoholism in 27/150 (18%). Deficiency of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was significantly associated with dyslipidemia (P = 0.0001), mean serum glucose (P = 0.0002) mean CRP (P = 0.04), and mean alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency was independently associated with dyslipidemia (odds ratio: 1.9; 95% CI : 1.1–3.5). Conclusions. We found that deficiency of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was independently associated with dyslipidemia in Indian subjects.

Background and PurposeVitamin D deficiency is common across all age groups and may contribute to cardiovascular diseases. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency causing ischemic stroke has been documented in recent reports.AimTo investigate the association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency with ischemic stroke and subtypes.MethodsWe recruited 250 consecutive ischemic stroke patients and 250 age and sex matched controls attending the Department of Neurology, at Yashoda hospital, Hyderabad, India, from January 2011 to December 2012. All ischemic stroke patients underwent stroke subtyping. We measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D by chemiluminescence test, serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in cases and controls.ResultsOut of 250 stroke patients, 190 (76%) were men and mean age was 58.4±11.1 years (age range-26-89 years). 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency was observed in 122 (48.8%) stroke patients and 79 (31.6%) controls (P=0.001). Among stroke patients, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency was found in 54.9% (50/91) of patients with large artery atherosclerosis, 54% (20/37) in cardioembolic stroke, 44.4% (20/45) in small artery diseases, 42.8% (15/35) in stroke of other determined etiology and 40.4% (17/42) in stroke of un-determined etiology. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed an independent association of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency with ischemic stroke (odds ratio: 1.6; 95% CI 1.2-2.8). The association was strongest with large artery atherosclerosis (odds ratio: 2.4; 95% CI 1.6-3.5) and cardioembolic stroke (odds ratio: 2.0; 95% CI 1.0-3.2).ConclusionsWe found that 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency had an independent association with ischemic stroke. The association was established in large artery arthrosclerosis and cardioembolic stroke.

Background: Recent evidence points to a possible link between the inflammatory modulatory protein S100B protein and the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Objective: To investigate the elevated levels of serum S100B protein among AD in a South Indian cohort and its correlation with severity of cognitive impairment. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 AD patients and 100 age and sex matched healthy controls. Diagnosis of AD was made by a qualified neurologist using NINCDS ADRDA criteria. Measurement of serum S100B protein was performed using solid phase sandwich ELISA method in both cases and controls. Results: Significantly higher prevalence of elevated serum S100B protein 44(44%) (p<0.0001), hypertension 52(52%) (p=0.02), diabetes mellitus 58(58%) (p=0.002), thyroid dysfunction 28(28%) (p=0.009), positive CRP 46(46%) (p<0.0001) and lower mean Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) values 20.4±5.1 (p<0.0001) were seen in AD patients compared to controls. Elevated S100B protein levels were significantly associated with Clinical dementia rating (CDR) score 2(34%) (p=0,05) and score 3 (61.3%) (p=0.03) compared to normal levels. After multivariable logistic regression analysis positive C-Reactive Protein (odds: 3.2; 95%CI: 2.8-9.8)(p=0.001), elevated S100B protein (odds: 9.0;95%CI:2.2-35.8) and diabetes mellitus (odd:1.2;95%CI:1.0-4.9)(p<0.0001), were significantly associated with AD. Conclusion: In our study, we established an independent association of elevated serum S100B protein levels with AD. Elevated S100B protein levels higher in CDR score 3.