Cross sectional study on Vitamin D and endothelial function in elderly
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A cross-sectional study to evaluate the association between Vitamin D status and endothelial function in overweight and obese, post-menopausal women.
IRAS ID
152807
Contact name
Azizah Mat Hussin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a major public health concern and are associated with an increased risk for mortality and the occurrence of chronic disease. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process leading to a progressive impairment of the arteries health. Endothelial cells cover the inner part of the arteries and are important to maintain normal vascular function. However, if the normal function of endothelial cells is impaired (a process called endothelial dysfunction) this may lead to the development of atherosclerosis and CVDs. Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, plays a key role in determining the risk for CVD. Vitamin D can be produced in the body when the sun’s ultraviolet rays stimulate the skin to synthesize it. Vitamin D also can be obtained from some food such as fatty fish and eggs, fortified food with vitamin D and available as a dietary supplement. Previous research studies also suggest that low levels of vitamin D are associated with poor arterial health and increase the risk of CVDs. This association may be explained by the association between vitamin D with pathways involved in the regulation of insulin signalling and endothelial function (EF). A cross sectional study will be conducted to investigate the association between vitamin D concentration and EF in eighty non-smoking, overweight and obese post-menopausal women with a BMI between 25.0 and 40.0kg/m2, and age range between 50 to 70 years old. Fat mass will be measured to evaluate whether adiposity modifies the association between 25OHD concentrations and EF. This study is intended to explore the mechanistic connection between excess adiposity, vitamin D and EF. The study will contribute to the identification of participants with insufficient vitamin D concentrations (<50nmol/l), who will be invited to participate in a subsequent randomised clinical trial.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EM/1073
Date of REC Opinion
28 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion