A preliminary transcriptome analysis suggests a transitory effect of vitamin D on mitochondrial function in obese young Finnish subjects. Issue 5 (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Einarsdottir, Elisabet; Pekkinen, Minna; Krjutškov, Kaarel; Katayama, Shintaro; Kere, Juha; Mäkitie, Outi; Viljakainen, Heli
• Is Part Of: Endocrine connections. Volume 8:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: 559
• Page End: 570
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: vitamin D -- gene expression -- obesity -- transcriptome -- mitochondrial function -- intervention; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; 616.4005
• DOI: 10.1530/EC-18-0537
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2049-3614

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: The effect of vitamin D at the transcriptome level is poorly understood, and furthermore, it is unclear if it differs between obese and normal-weight subjects. The objective of the study was to explore the transcriptome effects of vitamin D supplementation. Design and methods: We analysed peripheral blood gene expression using GlobinLock oligonucleotides followed by RNA sequencing in individuals participating in a 12-week randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled vitamin D intervention study. The study involved 18 obese and 18 normal-weight subjects (of which 20 males) with mean (±s.d. ) age 20.4 (±2.5) years and BMIs 36 (±10) and 23 (±4) kg/m 2, respectively. The supplemental daily vitamin D dose was 50 µg (2000 IU). Data were available at baseline, 6- and 12-week time points and comparisons were performed between the vitamin D and placebo groups separately in obese and normal-weight subjects. Results: Significant transcriptomic changes were observed at 6 weeks, and only in the obese subjects: 1724 genes were significantly upregulated and 186 genes were downregulated in the vitamin D group compared with placebo. Further analyses showed several enriched gene categories connected to mitochondrial function and metabolism, and the most significantly enriched pathway was related to oxidative phosphorylation (adjusted P value 3.08 × 10 −14 ). Taken together, our data suggest an effect of vitamin D supplementation on mitochondrial function in obese subjects. Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation affects gene expression in obese, but not in normal-weight subjects. The altered genes are enriched in pathways related to mitochondrial function. The present study increases the understanding of the effects of vitamin D at the transcriptome level.