Role of Vitamin D in the Metabolic Syndrome

1Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by the combination of central (intraabdominal) obesity, hypertension (HT), hyperglycemia, elevated serum levels of triglycerides and cholesterol, reduced levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), and insulin resistance (IR). However, the definition and treatment of this syndrome remain controversial. MetS is associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and one of the variables most widely cited by clinicians to explain the etiopathology of this syndrome is IR.

2The prevalence of MetS has increased over the past few years, which has been attributed not only to the aging of populations but also to the increase in obesity rates associated with lifestyle changes, including less healthy eating habits and lower physical activity levels. MetS is now considered a pandemic in developed countries and a source of major public health concern.

3Researchers have proposed that reduced serum vitamin D levels are related to an increased risk of MetS. The objective of the present study was to examine available scientific evidence on the relationship of vitamin D deficiency with the onset and development of MetS. These data will support the development of effective public health strategies to prevent MetS and promote a healthy lifestyle.

4MetS is a set of metabolic conditions that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The components of MetS have been defined in various guidelines and consensus agreements and currently comprise central (intraabdominal) obesity, HT, IR, and dyslipidemia.

5The prevalence of MetS is estimated to be 25% worldwide, varying widely as a function of sex, age, and ethnicity. A marked increase has been observed over recent years in its prevalence among young adults. Due to this situation, the control of HDL levels has been proposed as a preventive measure against MetS to reduce the incidence of associated diseases.

6The etiologies for MetS are overweight/obesity, lack of physical activity, and genetic predisposition. The accumulation and dysfunction of adipose tissue result in IR, which plays a decisive role in MetS development. The distribution of adipose tissue is also considered an important factor, and the abdominal localization of excess adipose tissue has been most closely associated with IR. The consequent microvascular damage can give rise to vessel wall inflammation and HT, components of MetS.

7Vitamin D is a fat-soluble prohormone that plays an essential role in bone mineral metabolism, being involved in calcium and phosphorus metabolism and skeletal homeostasis. The main source of vitamin D is cholecalciferol or vitamin D3, synthesized by sunlight on the skin from 7-dehydrocholesterol, for which cholesterol is a precursor. It is also available in the diet from animal (cholecalciferol) and vegetable (ergocalciferol) foods. Regardless of the source, vitamin D requires two hydroxylations in the organism to become biologically active, the first in the liver and the second in the kidney, resulting in the form known as 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D or calcitriol (Figure 1).

8In the past, vitamin D was almost exclusively associated with bone health; however, numerous other functions have gradually emerged, and deficiency of this vitamin has been associated with a higher risk of certain autoimmune diseases. These extraskeletal actions are enabled by the presence of vitamin D receptors and hydroxylation enzymes in the cells of different human tissues and by differences in vitamin D production depending on the tissue in which it is expressed. Therefore, the fact that the vitamin D receptor and the enzyme 1α-hydroxylase are expressed in different tissues (kidney, pancreas, prostate, or immune system) shows the possible action of this vitamin on these tissues. Thus, changes in the expression of vitamin D receptors may be associated with the development of MetS and its different components. Vitamin D has also been attributed to hormonal activity, including endocrine, autocrine, and paracrine functions. In addition to all these activities, vitamin D has other functions of pleiotropic nature such as its anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-fibrotic effects, preventive action against cardiovascular and renal diseases, diabetes mellitus, or cancer through different mechanisms of action widely described.

9Interest in this vitamin has intensified over recent years due to the high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D, described as a worldwide epidemic. Based on the levels of vitamin D, we can talk about insufficiency when 25(OH)D of 21–29 ng/mL, mild deficiency when levels are between 10 and 20 ng/mL, moderate deficiency between 9 and 5 ng/mL, and severe deficiency when vitamin D levels are lower than 5 ng/mL. The very high percentage of individuals with hypovitaminosis D has highlighted the need to implement preventive strategies.

10Numerous authors have addressed the possible association between micronutrient deficiency and metabolic disorders, including MetS. Various pathophysiologic mechanisms have been proposed to underlie the effect of vitamin D on MetS components. One plausible explanation is that vitamin D affects insulin secretion and sensitivity, which play a key role in MetS development. The vitamin D receptor is expressed by β cells in the pancreas and in musculoskeletal and adipose tissues, among other peripheral tissues, and vitamin D deficiency can compromise the capacity of β cells to convert pro-insulin into insulin. Another pathophysiological mechanism could be related to the association between obesity and vitamin D deficiency. The two most accepted hypotheses are vitamin D sequestration and volumetric dilution. In the first case, this vitamin is sequestered in adipose tissue, increased in obese individuals, which also influences a greater volumetric dilution, according to which 25(OH)D, a fat-soluble molecule, would be distributed among fat, muscle, liver, and serum, decreasing serum vitamin D levels. Other possible explanations for this relationship described may be poor dietary habits, decreased sun exposure, the difference in gene expression in vitamin D metabolizing enzymes, and impaired hepatic 25-hydroxylation.

11Serum concentrations of vitamin D vary widely among different geographic areas, largely attributable to differences in sun exposure, a key source of vitamin D. Thus, the frequency of hypovitaminosis, and therefore the potential risk of developing diabetes or MetS is higher in populations living further from the equator, and differences in clothing habits, skin color, and the use of sunscreen also play a role. With regard to specific populations, vitamin D deficiency in postmenopausal women seems to be associated with a higher risk of MetS, hypertriglyceridemia, and lower HDL levels. As noted above, deficiency of this vitamin is more frequent in older age groups, with Navarro et al. reporting that levels were inadequate in 50% of individuals aged 18 to 60 years and in 87% in those aged over 65 years. In this context, Xu et al. observed that those subjects with genetically increased 25(OH)D concentration were less at risk of type 2 diabetes.

12A study of non-diabetic young people also showed an inverse relationship between vitamin D levels and the presence of MetS, attributed to the combined effect of obesity and IR. Lee et al. described a higher risk of MetS in Korean men and women aged over 65 years with low 25(OH)D levels. After adjusting for age, area of residence, season, and habits (exercise, tobacco, and alcohol), there appeared a relationship between low vitamin D levels and increased prevalence of MetS, so the lower the vitamin D levels (14.20–18.99 ng/mL in men and 11.20–15.59 ng/mL in women) the higher the prevalence of elevated waist circumference, hypertriglyceridemia, and high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) concentrations. Likewise, Zhu and Heil reported that 25(OH)D levels were inadequate in 50% of the study population, formed by residents of Shanghai, China, aged 19–70 years and were associated with the presence of MetS, observing a linear relationship between 25(OH)D concentrations and serum concentrations of glucose and lipids. They calculated that each increase of 1 ng/mL 25(OH)D was associated with a significant reduction in total cholesterol and LDL and a 54% decrease in the risk of MetS. Subsequent studies also reinforce the possible association between vitamin D deficiency and MetS prevalence.

13Barbalho et al. found that 80% of patients in a cardiology unit had vitamin D deficiency and that all of the patients with hypovitaminosis D had MetS. They also observed significantly higher levels of glycemia, glycosylated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, LDLs, triglycerides, and atherogenic indices and an elevated body mass index in patients with vitamin D deficiency in comparison to those with adequate vitamin D levels. Vimaleswaran et al., meanwhile, noted that increased plasma concentrations of 25(OH)D might reduce the risk of hypertension. Each 25(OH)D-increasing allele of the synthesis score was associated with a change of −0.10 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure and a change of −0.08 mm Hg in diastolic blood pressure. However, some authors question or discuss the association between vitamin D deficiency and components associated with MetS. Likewise, Mehri et al. pointed out that the absence of a long follow-up meant that a causative relationship could not be definitively established between inadequate vitamin D levels and MetS. Teixeira et al. considered vitamin D deficiency to be secondary to the metabolic changes in MetS, although it was associated with IR, which is closely related to the development of MetS. Similarly, Chen et al. described that the Mendelian randomization (MR)-derived odds ratio of genetically determined 25(OH) D for risk of MetS was 0.977, and therefore, it cannot be concluded that genetically conditioned reduction in vitamin D levels can increase the risk of metabolic syndrome or any of its components. All of these authors call for further research to elucidate this relationship.

14In summary, the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and the components of MetS remains a controversial issue because no conclusive scientific evidence is available. Thus, the main findings of the previously cited studies are summarized in Table 1.

15Vitamin D supplementation has been reported to exert a beneficial effect in the treatment of MetS-related diseases, such as lipid profile, insulin resistance and hyperglycemia, obesity, and hypertension (Table 2). This effect could be based on the mechanism of action of vitamin D on different physiological parameters, including improved arterial stiffness; decreased renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity, parathyroid hormone levels, inflammatory cytokines; increased activity of lipoprotein lipase; and improved phospholipid metabolism and mitochondrial oxidation.

16In relation to IR, several studies have shown positive effects of vitamin D supplementation in pre-diabetic patients. In their work, Lemieux et al. demonstrated that supplementation with 5000 IU daily of vitamin D for 6 months increased insulin sensitivity and pancreatic β-cell activity. Other authors showed the benefits of supplementation with 50,000 IU/week of vitamin D for 8 weeks in patients with type 2 diabetes, with a reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin and an increase in sirtuin 1, which appears to be related to increased insulin secretion by pancreatic β-cells. In their study on diabetic patients, Farrokhian et al. also observed that an administration pattern of 50,000 IU every 2 weeks for 6 months reduces basal glycemia, increasing insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, in this population, co-supplementation with vitamin D (50,000 IU, twice a week for six months) and omega-3 fatty acids has also been found to produce a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose levels, increasing insulin sensitivity. However, other studies seem to show that vitamin D administration has no effect on insulin resistance in pre-diabetic patients. Lerchbaum et al. further claimed that vitamin D treatment might have a negative effect on insulin sensitivity in healthy men.

17According to the scientific literature, vitamin D supplementation may also exert a beneficial effect on the lipid profile. In this regard, Gadheri et al. showed a significant reduction in triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) levels after supplementation with 50,000 IU of vitamin D every 2 weeks for 3 months. Jamilian et al., who used the same doses for 6 months, observed improvements in triglycerides and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Other administration patterns have also been effective in reducing plasma lipid levels, such as those proposed by Riek et al. or Imga et al., which led to a decrease in LDL, or that proposed by Liyanage et al., who suggested that parenteral administration of vitamin D leads to an increase in plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) levels. The favorable effects of this vitamin on HDL described above have been corroborated by the meta-analysis developed by Ostadmohammadi et al.. Furthermore, these changes in lipid profile have also been found in children with type I diabetes. However, Farrokhian et al. found no significant changes in the lipid profile following vitamin D administration, although they did observe changes in plasma malonaldehyde levels, which results from lipid peroxidation, results that were later corroborated by Tamadon et al..

18With regard to the effects on obesity, according to two meta-analyses recently published, it has been shown that vitamin D supplementation could contribute to reduced body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, but not weight loss. In this line, a meta-analysis of 22 observational studies determined that despite an inverse relationship between the percentage of fat mass and serum vitamin D levels, vitamin D supplementation was not found to significantly decrease the percentage of fat mass with respect to placebo groups. In contrast, Lotfi-Dizaji et al. observed a decrease in weight and fat mass in those subjects with vitamin D deficiency who took 50,000 IU of vitamin D for 12 weeks. However, there are studies showing contrary results, finding no beneficial effect of vitamin D supplementation at the level of parameters such as BMI, weight, hip circumference, or fat percentage. Similarly, recent studies in individuals aged 6–14 years showed that vitamin D supplementation did not demonstrate any effect on BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and percentage of fat tissue. Nevertheless, the combined action of calcium supplementation together with vitamin D3 appears to increase weight loss and improve some of the blood metabolic profiles in obese women.

19A significant reduction in blood pressure has been observed following the administration of vitamin D, although Golzarand et al. observed that in some cases, this supplementation can cause hypotension in both healthy and hypertensive subjects. However, further analyses performed on randomized clinical trials that aimed to study the effect of such supplementation on blood pressure (BP) reported that there is no significant effect on systolic (SBP) or diastolic (DBP) blood pressure values. Similar results are obtained by studying supplementation in non-adult populations. However, a recently published clinical trial not included in the previous review indicates that after 6 months of supplemental treatment at the dose of 1000 IU daily could decrease SBP and DBP figures. Whenever the effect of combined vitamin D and calcium supplementation on BP is analyzed, the results are very heterogeneous; whereas some authors find no significant effect on SBP and a reduction of DBP, others observed an elevation of SBP and DBP.

20No consensus has been reached on the optimal treatment of vitamin D deficiency. Various regimens of daily or monthly doses of cholecalciferol have all obtained suitable outcomes. Carbonare et al. found that 80% of patients receiving 1750 IU/day or 50,000 IU/month supplementation for six months reached serum 25(OH)D levels > 30 ng/mL. Optimal vitamin D levels are clearly beneficial for metabolic and cardiovascular health in general. Various authors have emphasized the need for supplementation to maintain adequate vitamin D levels and thereby reduce the risk of MetS and associated diseases. Therefore, it appears essential to determine the vitamin D levels of populations for the development of supplementation interventions and to implement public health programs on healthy habits that prevent vitamin D deficiency.

21According to the different studies analyzed in this review, vitamin D deficiency appears to be associated with the different components that define MetS. Similarly, vitamin D supplementation may be an appropriate strategy in the treatment of MetS. However, it is not possible to draw a clear conclusion on this association as the published data are contradictory and it is not clear whether vitamin D deficiency is a cause or effect of the metabolic syndrome or any of its components. Therefore, further studies are needed to determine the real role of vitamin D deficiency in the development of MetS.