Vitamin D is associated with atheroprotective high-density lipoprotein profile in postmenopausal women

Abstract

BACKGROUND Low vitamin D has been associated with low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, a marker of coronary risk. Whether atheroprotective HDL particle composition accounts for this association and whether fat affects this association is not known. OBJECTIVE To explore the association between HDL particle composition and 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D) in post-menopausal women. METHODS Vitamin D levels and lipoprotein composition were assessed in fasting blood samples of apparently healthy women from a diverse Chicago community. Visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) abdominal fat area were assessed using computed tomography. Total body fat mass was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS We enrolled 78 women (50% black; 50% white), age 48 to 64 years, all of whom were participants in a longitudinal study of fat patterning. They had a mean 25[OH]D of 31 ± 15 µg/L, HDL cholesterol 57 ± 11 mg/dL, and large HDL particle subclass 8.6 ± 3.4 µmol/L. In a multivariable-adjusted regression model, each 5 µg/L higher 25[OH]D predicted 0.57 µmol/L (95%CI 0.20–0.95) higher large HDL particles, independent of race, season, and total HDL particle concentration. This association was only partially confounded by total body fat mass (0.49, 95%CI 0.10–0.89), SAT (0.50, 95%CI 0.11–0.90), or VAT (0.37, 95%CI 0.01–0.74). Age did not significantly influence the strength of associations. CONCLUSIONS Higher 25[OH]D levels are associated with large HDL particles. This association is stronger than that of HDL cholesterol and only partially confounded by body fat. Theoretically, vitamin D may protect against cardiovascular risk by promoting formation of large HDL particles, affecting reverse cholesterol transport.

Improvement in High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in Argentine Indian School Children after Vitamin D Supplementation

“…Reis et al [5] found that vitamin D was associated with HDL-C and adiposity in adolescents. In contrast, a recent study found that the association between vitamin D and HDL-C was independent of adiposity [20]. Consistent with this recent study, we found that the association between vitamin D and HDL-C was independent of BMI in the regression model.…”

Vitamin D deficiency in postmenopausal, healthy women predicts increased cardiovascular events: a 16-year follow-up study

“…Another possible cardio-protective effect of vitamin D may be via lipid regulation, as the association between vitamin D deficiency and a less favourable lipid profile has been reported earlier (1,2,11,13,41). The positive correlation between 25(OH)D and HDL in postmenopausal women also seen in DOPS has previously been investigated and the subclass of large HDL was accounting for the difference (42). The positive correlation between 25(OH)D and HDL and inverse correlation of 25(OH)D with triglycerides are in line with the increased intima media thickness seen in subjects with carotid plaques from The Northern Manhattan Study (43).…”

Assessment of the 10-year risk of cardiovascular events among a group of Sub-Saharan African post-menopausal women

“…As such, these women should receive educational sessions on healthy lifestyles, which revolve around emphasizing regular physical activity, avoiding or stopping smoking, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, maintaining a normal body weight, and adopting a healthy diet [2,19,20]. Omega-3 fatty acids may be administered in high-risk women, as well as folic acid, vitamin K and vitamin D [19,21,22]. On another hand, glucose intolerance and diabetes should be screened, and women suffering from diabetes should receive adequate management to prevent or delay related complications.…”