RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 2 forms of vitamin D supplementation on oxidative stress and weaning from the ventilator in patients with traumatic injury and vitamin D deficiency. METHODS: Seventy-two patients were randomly divided into 3 groups: receiving 50,000 IU pearl cholecalciferol daily for 6 days, 1 intramuscular injection of 300,000 IU of cholecalciferol, or a control group that did not receive any supplement. Duration of mechanical ventilation, body composition, and biochemical biomarkers were measured before and after the intervention. RESULT: At the end of the study, the mean serum 25(OH)D increased in the intervention groups compared with the control group (P < .05). The interleukin 6, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein levels, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of intensive care unit admission significantly decreased; however, total antioxidant capacity concentration did not differ significantly between the 2 intervention groups. Among the body composition variables, extracellular water ratio changes were statically different in oral vitamin D group compared with the control group (P = .001). No side effects were reported with the supplements. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D administration improved clinical signs and biochemical biomarkers in a small group of patients with traumatic injury. Well-designed multicenter clinical studies with longer intervention duration are necessary for this field.