Correlations of 25(OH)D level with blood lipid, inflammatory factors and vascular endothelial function in diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and the lipid profile, inflammatory cytokines, and endothelial function in diabetic patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 77 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated in our hospital from January 2015 to March 2017 and 73 healthy volunteers were selected. The 25(OH)D, lipids, inflammatory factors, and endothelial function were compared between the two groups. The levels of 25(OH)D in diabetic patients were also compared to detect the levels of serum lipids and inflammatory cytokines in different groups. According to the inflammatory factors, patients with diabetes mellitus were divided into several groups. In addition, 25(OH)D, endothelial function indicators [nitrogen oxide (NO) and von Willebrand factor (vWF)], serum lipids [triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC)], high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and inflammatory factor tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were compared among different groups.

RESULTS: Compared with normal group, the 25(OH)D, NO, and HDL in the diabetic group were significantly lower than those in the normal group (p<0.05). Other lipids and inflammatory factors in the former were significantly higher than those in the normal group. Patients have lower HDL in those with less amount of 25(OH)D. Other blood lipid components such as TC and TG, LDL, and inflammatory factors significantly increased gradually as the 25(OH)D grows (p<0.05). For patients with more inflammatory cytokines, levels of 25(OH)D, NO, vWF, and ET-1 were significantly lower than those with normal inflammatory cytokines. Correlation analysis revealed that 25(OH)D was positively correlated with HDL and NO, but negatively correlated with TG, TC, TNF-α, and vWF.

CONCLUSIONS: In diabetic patients, the level of 25(OH)D is decreased and the inflammatory factors are increased. In patients with proper supplementation of 25(OH)D, the inflammation can be reduced and endothelial function can be improved.