Cognitive Function and Vitamin D Status in the Chinese Hemodialysis Patients.

Objective: Vitamin D insufficiency and the cognitive function decline are both common in patients receiving hemodialysis (HD). The present study evaluated the relation between cognitive function and circulating vitamin D levels in HD patients in Wannan Medical College Affiliated Yijishan Hospital, China. Methods: This study was conducted in 80 patients receiving HD in Wannan Medical College Affiliated Yijishan Hospital. To measure cognitive function, Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B) Chinese Version was used. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], which is applied to assess vitamin D status, was tested. One-way ANOVA, Tukey post hoc test, and the correlation and regression analysis were used in this study. Results: Based on the MoCA-B, cognitive function decline (the scores below 26) was present in 28 HD patients, accounting for 35% (28/80). The mean age of these patients is 50.5 ± 10.9 years old. The mean level of 25(OH)D was 16.1 ± 7.3 ng/ml in 80 HD patients. In univariate analysis, there was a significant relationship between MoCA-B score and serum 25(OH)D level (p < 0.05). The level of 25(OH)D was positively correlated with MoCA-B score (r = 0.312, p = 0.023), and the association was independent of demographic and clinical features. Conclusions: Vitamin D insufficiency may contribute to cognitive function decline in HD patients. Serum level of 25(OH)D is an independent protective factor of cognitive function in the HD patients.

Impulsivity and eating disorders: The relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and different impulsivity facets in a transdiagnostic sample.

OBJECTIVES: Eating disorders (EDs) are severe psychiatric conditions characterised by malnutrition, dysfunctional behaviours, and hypovitaminosis D. In various psychiatric conditions, including EDs, preliminary evidence has correlated impulsivity to a low level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. This study aims to reinforce this evidence by examining different facets, both behavioural and psychological, of the impulsivity construct in patients with ED. METHODS: A sample of 119 women was evaluated with a validated questionnaire and computerised neuropsychological tasks: the UPPS-P impulsive behaviour scale, a go/no-go task, and the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART). A clinical evaluation for EDs and blood sample collection were also performed to assess specific psychopathology and determine the serum level of 25(OH)D. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between serum levels of 25(OH)D and BART scores (p = 0.012) and lack of perseverance (p = 0.034). Moreover, regression analyses showed that higher BART scores may be explained by hypovitaminosis D and higher levels of lack of perseverance in patients with EDs. CONCLUSIONS: The specific aspect of impulsivity linked to goal strategy and behaviours may be explained in patients with EDs by hypovitaminosis D. A possible connection to the brain inflammatory system is also discussed, along with possible directions for future research.

Role of Vitamin D in Cognitive Dysfunction: New Molecular Concepts and Discrepancies between Animal and Human Findings.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: increasing evidence suggests that besides the several metabolic, endocrine, and immune functions of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), the neuronal effects of 1,25(OH)2D should also be considered an essential contributor to the development of cognition in the early years and its maintenance in aging. The developmental disabilities induced by vitamin D deficiency (VDD) include neurological disorders (e.g., attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia) characterized by cognitive dysfunction. On the other hand, VDD has frequently been associated with dementia of aging and neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease). RECENT FINDINGS: various cells (i.e., neurons, astrocytes, and microglia) within the central nervous system (CNS) express vitamin D receptors (VDR). Moreover, some of them are capable of synthesizing and catabolizing 1,25(OH)2D via 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1alpha-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D 24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1) enzymes, respectively. Both 1,25(OH)2D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were determined from different areas of the brain and their uneven distribution suggests that vitamin D signaling might have a paracrine or autocrine nature in the CNS. Although both cholecalciferol and 25-hydroxyvitamin D pass the blood-brain barrier, the influence of supplementation has not yet demonstrated to have a direct impact on neuronal functions. So, this review summarizes the existing evidence for the action of vitamin D on cognitive function in animal models and humans and discusses the possible pitfalls of therapeutic clinical translation.

Influence of Vitamin D Supplementation on Mental Health in Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review.

Diabetes is associated with a number of mental health consequences, including enhanced risk of depression and anxiety, as well as decreased quality of life, and vitamin D deficiency is considered to be one of the factors that influence these outcomes in diabetic patients. The aim of the present study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature presenting the data regarding the influence of vitamin D supplementation on mental health in diabetic adults. This study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) database (Registration number CRD42020155779). A systematic search of the PubMed and Web of Science databases was performed, and the intervention studies published until September 2021 were included in the review. The human studies were included if an adult sample of diabetic individuals received vitamin D supplementation during the intervention and its effect on any mental health aspect was assessed, but studies presenting the influence of combined supplementation of multiple nutrients were excluded. After removing duplicate records, a total of 8514 publications were screened and assessed independently by two researchers, based on their title, abstract, and full text. Finally, six studies were included in the current systematic review, and the risk of bias was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The included studies analyzed the influence of a specific dose of vitamin D, or different doses of vitamin D, or compared the results of supplementation with a specific dose of vitamin D against the placebo group. The supplementation was performed for at least 12 weeks. The mental health outcomes analyzed in these studies included health-related quality of life, depression, anxiety, stress, and general mental health status of adult diabetic patients. The results of the majority of the studies confirmed the positive influence of vitamin D supplementation on the mental health of diabetic individuals. Those studies that analyzed the influence of vitamin D supplementation on depression and anxiety established the beneficial effect of the vitamin. In some studies, the influence of vitamin D supplementation on the health-related quality of life was not considered unless combined with mindfulness training. However, it must be emphasized that different dosage regimens and intervention periods were followed in the reviewed studies, and only a small number of studies were randomized against placebo, which should be considered as a limitation of the present study. The findings of the conducted systematic review demonstrated the positive influence of vitamin D supplementation on the mental health of diabetic patients, which was proved for anxiety and depression, but in the case of health-related quality of life, the positive effect was observed only when the intervention included mindfulness training. These outcomes suggest that supplementation should be recommended to improve the vitamin D status and the mental health of patients in this group.

Vitamin D Level Trajectories of Adolescent Patients with Anorexia Nervosa at Inpatient Admission, during Treatment, and at One Year Follow Up: Association with Depressive Symptoms.

(1) Background: Evidence has accumulated that patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) are at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency than healthy controls. In epidemiologic studies, low 25(OH) vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were associated with depression. This study analyzed the relationship between 25(OH)D serum levels in adolescent patients and AN and depressive symptoms over the course of treatment. (2) Methods: 25(OH)D levels and depressive symptoms were analyzed in 93 adolescent (in-)patients with AN from the Anorexia Nervosa Day patient versus Inpatient (ANDI) multicenter trial at clinic admission, discharge, and 1 year follow up. Mixed regression models were used to analyze the relationship between 25(OH)D levels and depressive symptoms assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). (3) Results: Although mean 25(OH)D levels constantly remained in recommended ranges (≥50 nmol/L) during AN treatment, levels decreased from (in)patient admission to 1 year follow up. Levels of 25(OH)D were neither cross-sectionally, prospectively, nor longitudinally associated with the BDI-II score. (4) Conclusions: This study did not confirm that 25(OH)D levels are associated with depressive symptoms in patients with AN. However, increasing risks of vitamin D deficiency over the course of AN treatment indicate that clinicians should monitor 25(OH)D levels.

Association study of the serum 25(OH)D concentration and myopia in Chinese children.

ABSTRACT: To analyze the serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentration in Chinese children with myopia and explore its correlation with myopia.From July to September in 2019, myopic children were collected from the Myopia Influencing Factors Survey Project. The basic information and vision related behaviors of the subjects were collected by questionnaire. The diopter of the children without dilated pupils was measured by the computerized refractometer. Meanwhile, 5 ml fasting venous blood samples were collected for the determination of serum 25(OH)D concentration.A total of 186 children were included in this study, including 90 males and 96 females, with an average age of 8 ±â€Š3.26 years. The detection rate of serum 25(OH)D deficiency in myopic children was 65.59% (122/186). There was statistical significance in the detection rate of serum 25(OH)D deficiency in children with different myopic degrees (χ2 = 6.635, P = .010). The average serum 25(OH)D concentration in myopic children was 14.86 (10.67-18.96) ng/ml, and the difference of serum 25(OH)D concentration in children with different myopia degrees was statistically significant (Z = 20.23, P < .001). Logistic regression analysis showed that after controlling for gender, parental myopia, after-school class, and outdoor activities, the prevalence of developing moderate and high myopia was 2.051 times (95% confidence interval: 1.272-3.724) higher in the serum 25(OH)D deficiency group than in the serum 25(OH)D sufficiency group. There is a positive correlation between serum 25(OH)D concentration and the equivalent spherical degree of myopic children.The study found that serum 25(OH)D concentration is closely related to the prevalence of myopia in Chinese children. The results further support the conclusion that children with a higher level of serum 25(OH)D have a lower prevalence of moderate to high myopia. The results of this study provide a basis for further research into the relationship between vitamin D and visual development in children and its mechanisms.

Effect of Early High-Dose Vitamin D3 Repletion on Cognitive Outcomes in Critically Ill Adults.

BACKGROUND: Long-term cognitive impairment frequently occurs after critical illness; no treatments are known to improve long-term cognition. RESEARCH QUESTION: Does a single high-dose (540,000 International Units) enteral treatment of vitamin D3 given shortly after hospital admission in critically ill patients who are vitamin D deficient improve long-term global cognition or executive function? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This study evaluated long-term cognitive outcomes among patients enrolled in a multicenter, blinded, randomized clinical trial comparing vitamin D3 treatment vs placebo in critically ill adults with vitamin D deficiency. Global cognition was measured by the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Executive function was measured with a composite score derived from three Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System subscales. Outcomes were assessed at a median of 443 days (interquartile range, 390-482 days) after randomization and were compared using multivariate proportional odds regression. Adjusted ORs of > 1.0 would indicate better outcomes in the vitamin D3 group compared with the placebo group. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients were enrolled, including 47 patients randomized to vitamin D3 treatment and 48 patients randomized to placebo. The adjusted median RBANS score at follow-up was 79.6 (95% CI, 73.0-84.0) in the vitamin D3 group and 82.1 (95% CI, 74.7-84.6) in the placebo group (adjusted OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.50-1.38). The adjusted median executive function composite scores were 8.1 (95% CI, 6.8-9.0) and 8.7 (95% CI, 7.4-9.3), respectively (adjusted OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.36-1.42). INTERPRETATION: In vitamin D-deficient, critically-ill adults, a large dose of enteral vitamin D3 did not improve long-term global cognition or executive function. TRIAL REGISTRY: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT03733418; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Low Vitamin D Levels and Risk of Incident Delirium in 351,000 Older UK Biobank Participants.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Delirium is common in older adults, especially following hospitalization. Because low vitamin D levels may be associated with increased delirium risk, we aimed to determine the prognostic value of blood vitamin D levels, extending our previous genetic analyses of this relationship. DESIGN: Prospective cohort analysis. SETTING: Community-based cohort study of adults from 22 cities across the United Kingdom (the UK Biobank). PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged 60 and older by the end of follow-up in the linked hospital inpatient admissions data, up to 14 years after baseline (n = 351,320). MEASUREMENTS: At baseline, serum vitamin D (25-OH-D) levels were measured. We used time-to-event models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between vitamin D deficiency and incident hospital-diagnosed delirium, adjusted for age, sex, assessment month, assessment center, and ethnicity. We performed Mendelian randomization genetic analysis in European participants to further investigate vitamin D and delirium risk. RESULTS: A total of 3,634 (1.03%) participants had at least one incident hospital-diagnosed delirium episode. Vitamin D deficiency (<25 nmol/L) predicted a large incidence in delirium (HR = 2.49; 95% CI = 2.24-2.76; P = 3*10-68 , compared with >50 nmol/L). Increased risk was not limited to the deficient group: insufficient levels (25-50 nmol/L) were also at increased risk (HR = 1.38; 95% CI = 1.28-1.49; P = 4*10-18 ). The association was independent of calcium levels, hospital-diagnosed fractures, dementia, and other relevant cofactors. In genetic analysis, participants carrying more vitamin D-increasing variants had a reduced likelihood of incident delirium diagnosis (HR = .80 per standard deviation increase in genetically instrumented vitamin D: .73-.87; P = 2*10-7 ). CONCLUSION: Progressively lower vitamin D levels predicted increased risks of incident hospital-diagnosed delirium, and genetic evidence supports a shared causal pathway. Because low vitamin D levels are simple to detect and inexpensive and safe to correct, an intervention trial to confirm these results is urgently needed.

The Effects of Vitamin D-Enriched Mushrooms and Vitamin D3 on Cognitive Performance and Mood in Healthy Elderly Adults: A Randomised, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Despite abundant cross-sectional evidence that low vitamin D status is associated with risk of cognitive decline in ageing, interventional evidence for benefits of vitamin D supplementation is lacking. This study was a 6 month randomised, double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial of the effects of vitamin D3 (D3), enhanced vitamin D2 in a mushroom matrix (D2M), standard mushroom (SM) and placebo (PL) on cognition and mood in n = 436 healthy older male (49%) and female volunteers aged ≥ 60 years. Primary end points were change in serum vitamin D metabolites (25-OH-D, 25-OH-D2 and 25-OH-D3), cognitive performance, and mood over 24 weeks. Levels of total 25-OH-D and 25-OH-D3 were maintained in the D3 arm but decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the remaining arms (D2M, SM and PL). Analysis also revealed differential changes in these metabolites depending on total vitamin D status at baseline. There were no significant effects of treatment on any of the measures of cognitive function or mood. Overall, the results show that daily supplementation of ~600 IU of vitamin D3 was sufficient to maintain 25-OH-D throughout winter months, but in contrast to existing cross-sectional studies there was no support for benefit of vitamin D supplementation for mood or cognition in healthy elderly people.

Barriers towards Sun Exposure and Strategies to Overcome These Barriers in Female Indoor Workers with Insufficient Vitamin D: A Qualitative Approach.

The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency is significant even in tropical countries such as Malaysia. Sun exposure is the primary source of vitamin D for most people due to limited intakes of food containing vitamin D and supplements. This study explored the perception of barriers towards sun exposure and strategies to overcome these barriers among vitamin D insufficient women workers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Twenty-five female indoor workers with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 50 nmol/L participated in seven focus group discussions (FGDs). Barriers towards sun exposure were lack of accurate knowledge of vitamin D, health concern towards sun exposure, time constraints, desire to have fair and beautiful skin, sedentary lifestyle, indoor workplace, weather, lack of social support, living arrangement, safety concerns, and religious or cultural practices. The improvement strategies were classified into lifestyle changes and workplace opportunity for sun exposure. Public education on safe sun exposure to produce an optimal level of vitamin D is necessary. Future studies should evaluate the effectiveness of sunlight exposure program at workplace for the high-risk vitamin D deficiency group.

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations Are Associated with Mental Health and Psychosocial Stress in Young Adults.

: We aimed to test the hypothesis that serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D) concentration is associated with mental health and life stress measures in young adults and investigate gender and racial disparities in these associations. This study comprised 327 black and white participants. Depression, trait anxiety, perceived stress, and hostility were measured by the following validated instruments: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Cook-Medley Hostility Scale (CMHS). Linear regression was used to estimate correlations between serum 25(OH)D concentration and mental health measurements in the total population and in subgroups stratified by gender and race. In this sample (28.2 ± 3.1 years, 52% female, 53% black), serum 25(OH)D concentration was negatively related to BDI, STAI, PSS, total CMHS score, and the majority of CMHS subscale scores (p-values < 0.05). Stratified by gender, most of these associations remained significant only in women (p-values < 0.05). Stratified by race, higher 25(OH)D concentrations in white participants were significantly related to lower BDI, STAI, PSS, and CMHS-cynicism subscales (p-values < 0.05); 25(OH)D concentrations in the black participants were only inversely associated with CMHS and most CMHS subscales (p-values < 0.05) but not with BDI, STAI, and PSS. We present novel findings of consistent inverse relationships between serum 25(OH)D concentration and various measures of mental health and life stress. Long-term interventional studies are warranted in order to investigate the roles of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention and mitigation of depression, anxiety, and psychological stress in young adults.

On maternal Post-Partum/Natal depression. A global underrecognized problem and the need for better Treatment strategies.

BACKGROUND: Maternal Postpartum (PPD) or Postnatal Depression (PND) is believed to be the commonest medical complication postpartum. Evidence suggests a significantly higher prevalence of the disease compared to the often reported 10-15%. METHOD: Studies were identified by accessing several databases including PubMed/Medline, PubMed Central, EBSCO, and PsycINFO. RESULTS: Vitamin D (VD) deficiency, hormonal levels alteration (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, oxytocin, and prolactin), thyroid dysfunction, and increased oxidative stress, play a critical role in PPD etiopathogenesis and pathophysiology. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment strategies should include an integrated approach of antidepressants and psychotherapy, melatonin, diet, sleep improvement, exercise, VD and antioxidants supplementation, and economic and social support.

Vitamin D deficiency and suicidal ideation: A cross-sectional study of 157,211 healthy adults.

OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D deficiency has been reported to be associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders. However, there are few studies addressing deficient vitamin D levels and suicidal ideation. METHODS: Serum vitamin D of 157,211 Korean adult participants were measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. A self-reported questionnaire was used to assess whether participants experienced suicidal ideation. Logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of suicidal ideation according to vitamin D levels. The regression was adjusted for a range of covariates. RESULTS: Compared with sufficient vitamin D levels (≥20 ng/mL), deficient vitamin D levels (<10 ng/mL) were significantly associated with the risk of suicidal ideation (OR = 1.138, 95% Cl = 1.027-1.262). However, the OR of suicidal ideation was not significantly different between the vitamin D insufficient group (10-19.99 ng/mL) and sufficient group (≥20 ng/mL) (OR = 0.988, 95% Cl = 0.932-1.047). CONCLUSION: Deficient vitamin D levels were significantly associated with the risk of suicidal ideation. However, the risk of suicidal ideation was not significantly different between the vitamin D insufficient group and sufficient group.

Relation between vitamin D and impulse behaviours in patients with eating disorder: a pilot observational study.

OBJECTIVE: There is growing evidence that vitamin D levels have a role not only in bone health and energy metabolism, but also for supporting nervous system and brain functions, including impulsivity. Impulsive behaviours are considered characteristics of great relevance in patients with Eating Disorders (ED) both for the course of the illness and for the treatment. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between impulsive behaviours and vitamin D in patients with ED. METHOD: 236 patients with a diagnosis of ED, consecutively recruited at an ED ward between 2014 and 2018, were enrolled. Patients were classified as impulsive or non-impulsive based on the presence of clinically relevant impulsive behaviours. RESULTS: Impulsive patients were found to have statistically significant lower levels of vitamin D than non-impulsive (p = .007). A threshold value of 20.4 ng/ml for discriminating impulsive from non-impulsive patients was found. DISCUSSION: This hypothesis generating study partially confirmed a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and impulsive behaviours in ED spectrum mediated by body weight, even if results were not confirmed after corrected by obesity. No definitive conclusion may be taken on whether the effect is reduced due to the loss of power. Future directions are discussed.

Vitamin D status was not associated with anxiety, depression, or health-related quality of life in Middle Eastern and African-born immigrants in Sweden.

Active vitamin D is a neurosteroid that may modulate brain function. Associations between vitamin D deficiency and depression and anxiety have been demonstrated. We hypothesized that there was an association between anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and vitamin D status. To test this hypothesis, we examined the association between anxiety, depression, and HRQOL and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations in the Middle Eastern and African-born immigrant population. All immigrants aged 25-65 years, born in 9 African or Middle Eastern countries, and living in 3 districts in Umeå (n = 1306) were invited, with 195 English- or Swedish-speaking immigrants (104 men and 91 women) participated. Anxiety and depression were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale. HRQOL was measured using EuroQoL-5 Dimension 3 Level Questionnaire and EuroQoL Visual Analogue Scale. Serum 25(OH)D was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Associations were determined using logistic and linear regression. Analyses were adjusted for sex, age, origin, socioeconomic factors, lifestyle, chronic diseases, and obesity. In total, 71% had 25(OH)D less than 50 nmol/L and 11% had 25(OH)D less than 25 nmol/L. Anxiety, depression, and HRQOL were not associated with 25(OH)D in the immigrant population. Anxiety was common in female immigrants from the Middle East (32.7%); and after adjustment, lower 25(OH)D concentrations were associated with higher risk of anxiety (25[OH]D ≤ 49 nmol/L vs 25[OH]D ≥ 50 nmol/L: odds ratio 23.2 [95% confidence interval 1.97 - 271.9] P = .012) in this subgroup only; however, reverse causality could not be excluded. In conclusion, the study showed no association between depression, anxiety, or HRQOL and vitamin D status in the immigrant population.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Sleep Quality in Minority Pregnant Women.

PURPOSE: To examine if vitamin D deficiency was associated with poor sleep quality in a sample of African American and Hispanic pregnant women. We also examined if race moderates the relationship between serum 25(OH)D levels and sleep quality among participants in this sample. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, a sample of 115 African American and Hispanic pregnant women were enrolled from a federally qualified health center in the Midwest. Women completed questionnaires and had blood drawn for serum 25(OH)D levels between 24- and 32 weeks gestation. The questionnaires included demographic characteristics, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and dietary vitamin D and calcium intake. RESULTS: The overall regression model indicated that the predictors explained 17% of variance in sleep quality (F(5, 103) = 4.10, p = .002, R = 0.17). Serum 25(OH)D levels were significant predictors of sleep quality after controlling for covariates (i.e., race, maternal age, prepregnancy body mass index, gestational age at data collection). Race did not moderate the association between serum 25(OH)D levels and sleep quality among women in this sample. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Pregnant women should be screened for vitamin D deficiency. Women who have vitamin D deficiency should be provided vitamin D supplementation. Vitamin D supplementation may be a simple solution to enhance sleep quality at this critical time in a woman's life.

Sexual function and depressive symptoms in primary infertile women with vitamin D deficiency undergoing IVF treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and depression in primary infertile women with 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH VD) deficiency undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF)-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 80 women with 25-OH VD3 deficiency (<20 ng/mL = group 1), 80 women with 25-OH VD3 insufficiency (20-29.9 ng/mL = group 2), and 80 women with a normal 25-OH VD3 level (30-60 ng/mL = group 3) were included the study. Female sexual function and depression were measured using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found among the groups in terms of demographic characteristics, baseline and laboratory parameters. Statistically significant differences were observed among the groups with regard to FSD and depression. The FSFI (group 1 = 22.46 ± 2.13, group 2 = 25.82 ± 2.13 and group 3 = 28.66 ± 2.13, respectively) and sexual domain scores were low in women with 25-OH VD deficiency, and the number of women with depression (BDI score ≥ 17) was high (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the sexual domain scores were positively correlated with the 25-OH VD level, and the BDI score showed a significant negative correlation with the total FSFI score and 25-OH VD levels. CONCLUSION: The 25-OH VD status was associated with FSD and depression and that the degree of sexual dysfunction could depend on the severity of 25-OH VD levels. Further studies are needed to elucidate this issue.

Vitamin D supplementation compared to placebo in people with First Episode psychosis - Neuroprotection Design (DFEND): a protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial.

BACKGROUND: People experiencing their first episode of psychosis are often deficient in vitamin D. Observational studies have reported an association between low vitamin D concentrations and poorer subsequent health outcomes in psychosis. A vitamin D deficiency in neonates and children has been linked to a later increased risk of schizophrenia and psychotic-like experiences. This trial aims to examine the effect of high-dose vitamin D supplementation on outcomes in early psychosis. We hypothesise that vitamin D supplementation will be associated with better mental health outcomes. METHODS/DESIGN: The DFEND study is a multicentre double-blind placebo-controlled parallel-group trial of vitamin D supplementation in people with early psychosis. Patients with an ICD-10 diagnosis of functional psychosis will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive either 120,000 IU/month of vitamin D (cholecalciferol) or a matched placebo for 6 months. The primary outcome is the total Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) score at the 6-month follow-up for all patients. Secondary outcomes include assessment of mood (Calgary Depression Scale), general function (Global Assessment of Functioning), cardiovascular risk (body mass index, waist circumference, C-reactive protein, cholesterol and HbA1c) and vitamin D levels at the 6-month follow-up. Additionally, 3- and 6-month total PANSS scores will be analysed for those with inadequate vitamin D levels at the baseline. DISCUSSION: The DFEND study is the first trial to examine whether vitamin D supplementation in early psychosis is associated with better mental health outcomes. The findings of this study may help to resolve the clinical equipoise regarding the benefits and cost-effectiveness of routine vitamin D supplementation in people with psychosis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN, ISRCTN12424842. Registered on 25 February 2015.

Relative D3 vitamin deficiency and consequent cognitive impairment in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease: Potential involvement of collapsin response mediator protein-2.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) starts with memory impairments that can be observed before the appearance of significant neuropathology; thus, identifying mechanisms to stop AD progression is an urgent priority. Epidemiological and clinical data show that the consequences of vitamin D deficiency are relevant to disease risk and can be observed in the progression of many diseases, especially AD, whereas higher serum levels of vitamin D are associated with better cognitive test performance. However, the potential therapeutic strategy and underlying mechanisms of vitamin D supplementation against AD still need to be further investigated. In the present study, we found that 3xTg-AD mice with vitamin D supplementation exhibited an increase in serum vitamin D concentrations and improved cognition. We measured serum vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) concentrations and found that serum VDBP levels were increased in 3xTg-AD mice compared to B6129S control mice, but there was no significant difference between control- and vitamin D-treated 3xTg-AD groups. The vitamin D-mediated memory improvement may be accompanied by the suppression of increased hippocampal collapsin response mediator protein-2 (CRMP2) phosphorylation, and the restoration of CRMP2 phosphorylation by okadaic acid (OA) could abolish the beneficial effects of vitamin D. In addition, we found that CRMP2 was associated with NR2B and PSD-95 in 3xTg-AD mice with vitamin D supplementation. This CRMP2-NR2B interaction could be disrupted by a TAT-CBD3 peptide or OA, leading to attenuated memory protection in vitamin D-treated 3xTg-AD mice. Therefore, CRMP2 may be involved in vitamin D-mediated memory improvement in AD.

Vitamin D and Depression in Women: A Mini-review.

Affective-related disorders, including depression, are constantly rising, complicating people's personal lifestyle increasing disqualification and hospital care. Because of the high intensity of urbanization, our lifestyle and food have altered dramatically in the last twenty years. These food modifications have been associated with scores of depression and other affective-related disorders in urbanized countries with high economic levels. Nutrients imbalance is considered as one of the critical causes enabling the pathophysiological mechanisms for the development of psychiatric disorders. The application of additional nutritional interventions for treatment of mood deteriorations can be beneficial for both the prophylaxis and therapy of affective-related disorders. This paper will review recent research on the relation of Vitamin D levels and the epidemiology of depression in women. In this paper, we will provide an overview of the results of a variety of different studies taking into account research which both suggests and refutes an association. Based on these findings we will propose important directions for future research in relation to this topic.