Associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 level and skeletal muscle mass and lower limb muscle strength in Japanese middle-aged subjects

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: One of the important risk factors of falling is decreased muscle mass and muscle strength. Recently, there has been an increasing concern on the role of vitamin D in muscle strength and physical activity. Aim of our study is to examine the relationships between vitamin D status and muscle mass and muscle strength in middle-aged healthy adults. METHODS: Subjects were 40 healthy volunteers aged 42.0 ± 10.6 years old. Evaluation was made for serum vitamin D₃ metabolites including 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ [25(OH)D₃] and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [24,25(OH)₂D₃] concentrations, lower limb muscle strength, and dietary intake by food frequency questionnaire. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and appendicular skeletal mass index (ASMI) was calculated as skeletal muscle mass/squared height. RESULTS: 70% of the subjects had vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency (serum total 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL), and female subjects had significantly lower serum total 25(OH)D level compared with males. Vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency group had significantly higher body fat, lower SMI and muscle strength, probably reflecting higher percentage of female subjects. Serum vitamin D₃ metabolites levels were significantly correlated with whole and site-specific ASMI, and lower limb muscle strength, except for the correlation between serum 24,25(OH)₂D₃ concentration and lower limb muscle strength. In addition, serum 25(OH)D₃ level was a positive significant predictor for both ASMI and lower limb muscle strength, while serum 24,25(OH)₂D₃ level was not their significant predictor. CONCLUSIONS: Serum 25(OH)D₃ level was significantly correlated with both skeletal muscle mass and lower limb muscle strength.