Linking the metabolic syndrome and obesity with vitamin D status: risks and opportunities for improving cardiometabolic health and well-being

Figures & data

Table 1 Findings reported in a meta-analysis of the effects of vitamin D supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with T2DM⁵⁵

Outcome	N	Condition	GDM included?	WMD (95% CI)	p
Hs-CRP	14	T2DM	No	−0.73 (−1.07, –0.39)	0.000
Hs-CRP	28	All	Yes	−0.27 (−0.35, –0.20)	<0.001
Nitric oxide concentration	7	T2DM	No	4.3 (1.0, 7.7)
Total serum antioxidant capacity	11	All	Yes	57 (33, 81)	0.28
Glutathione concentrations	12	All	Yes	83 (44, 121)	0.43
Malondialdehyde concentration	11	T2DM	No	−0.43 (−0.62, –0.25)	0.04

Notes:p-value from Egger’s test (if <0.05, indication of publication bias).

Abbreviations: N, number of studies; NA, not applicable; T2DM, type 2 diabetes mellitus; GDM, gestational diabetes mellitus; WMD, weighted mean difference; CI, confidence interval.

Table 2 Beneficial actions of vitamin D₃ bioactive metabolites on various risk factors influencing cardiometabolic health outcomes

Factor or marker	Beneficial actions of vitamin D3 bioactive metabolites
Circulating glucose levels	Improves glucose uptake from the blood stream
Insulin sensitivity	Improves insulin sensitivity hence reduces insulin resistance
Leptin	Reduces circulating obesity-induced hyperleptinemia hence decreases its negative effects associated with inflammation, insulin resistance, hypertension, and oxidative stress
Hypertension	Regulates blood pressure and critical for the renin-angiotensin system
BMI and weight loss	Mild reduction effects on body mass observed primarily in women; more significant effects observed with concurrent calcium supplementation.
Adipocyte function, growth and storage	Depends on state of differentiation of pre-adipocyte or mature adipocyte; enhances β-oxidation of fatty acids and triglycerides; prevents against high-fat diet-induced adipogenesis
Dyslipidemia	Improved lipid profiles especially downregulation of plasma triglycerides and reduction in triglyceride accumulation in the liver.
Inflammation	Significant anti-inflammatory effect resulting in the reduction of CRP, interleukins and pro-inflammatory cytokines which would otherwise increase noncommunicable disease risk and comorbidities such as cancer.

Mansournia MA , Ostadmohammadi V , Doosti-Irani A , et al. The effects of vitamin D supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in diabetic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Horm Metab Res . 2018;50(6):429–440. doi:10.1055/a-0630-1303 29883970

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