[Association between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular disease]

In cross-sectional studies, low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are associated with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. This study aimed to determine whether vitamin D deficiency is related to cardiovascular disease. This nested case-control study was performed within the framework of a population-based Cohort study [Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, TLGS] among male and female participants, aged 30 years or older [mean [SD] age, 56.7 [10.6] years], free of diagnosed cardiovascular disease at initial blood collection. Using risk set sampling, controls [n=251] were selected in a 1:1 ratio and matched for age, sex and date of blood collection. We measured serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in serum specimens, kept at -80°C until assay. Median serum 25 [OH] D was significantly lower in the CVD group than in controls [p<0.001]. For 25 [OH] D values of less than 10 ng/ml, compared with values more than 20 ng/ml [reference], the multivariable-adjusted OR [with 95% confidence intervals] for incident cardiovascular events was 3.21 [1.75-5.88]. Low levels of 25[OH]D are independently associated with higher risk of cardiovascular events in a graded manner, even after adjustment for factors known to be associated with coronary artery disease

Vitamin D receptor gene BSMI polymorphisms in systemic lupus erythematosus and healthy subjects

Vitamin D receptor [VDR] gene polymorphisms cause functional differences in immunomodulatory action of vitamin D. An association between VDR gene BSMI polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] has been documented. To compare the VDR gene BSMI polymorphisms in patients with SLE and healthy controls. This was a case-control study conducted in the city of Mashhad [Iran]. Sixty patients with lupus from two outpatient rheumatology clinics and 45 non-relative healthy controls of the same sex were selected using the census procedure. VDR gene typing was performed based on polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism [PCR-RFLP]. The results were analyzed using chi square test while a P < 0.05 was considered as significant. The distribution of VDR genotyping of BSMI polymorphisms in patients with SLE were 23.3% for BB, 60% for Bb and 16.7% for bb. Similarly, the values found for healthy group were 33.3%, 46.7%, and 20% for BB, Bb, and bb, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups. No significant difference in relative frequency of VDR gene BSMI polymorphisms in SLE patients and healthy individuals was established