6D.06: VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY AND ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Struglia, M.; Stamerra, C.A.; Di Giosia, P.; Giorgini, P.; Capanna, C.; Grassi, D.; Properzi, G.; Ferri, C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hypertension. Volume 33(2015)Supplement 1
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Hypertension -- Periodicals; Hypertension -- Periodicals; 616.132005
• DOI: 10.1097/01.hjh.0000467577.49078.a4
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-5598

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with an inverse correlation between Disease Activity Score (DAS28) and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Vitamin D is known to have a systemic anti-inflammatory action. We aimed to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial activation [high sensitivity C- reactive protein (hs-CRP) and endothelin-1 (ET-1)], flow mediated dilation (FMD) in patients with RA. Design and method: We studied 29 subjects (20 females and 9 males, aged 40 to 80) with RA and coexistent hypovitaminosis D, in treatment with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors. Patients were divided in two groups: 15 subjects treated with oral cholecalciferol (10.000 UI-25drops/week, for 12 weeks), 14 subjects not treated with vitamin D supplementation. Results: We found no differences in anthropometric and metabolic parameters between the two groups. In the subjects treated with cholecalciferol a decrease in PTH was observed (p = 0, 03), associated with no changes of serum calcium and phosphorus. Among patients treated with cholecalciferol hs-CRP (p = 0.03), DAS28 (p = 0.01), ET-1 levels (p = 0.04) decreased after treatment, and FMD increased (p = 0, 02) after treatment. No differences in hs-CRP, DAS28, ET-1 levels and FMD were observed after 12 weeks among subjects that did not receive cholecalciferol therapy. Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation exerts beneficial effects in terms of inflammation biomarker levels and disease activity. Furthermore vitamin D supplementation positively modulates endothelial function, decreasing serum ET-1 and improving FMD. In conclusion, our study shows that vitamin D supplementation improves symptoms and inflammation in RA patients and could reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with RA.