Vitamin D and functional arterial parameters in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome

Purpose: Our cross sectional study aimed to identify the relation between vitamin D level and functional arterial parameters in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome. Material and methods: 100 postmenopausal women at age 50-65 with diagnosed metabolic syndrome were included in this study. Laboratory tests were performed to determine lipid profile, serum glucose, creatinine, C-reactive protein, serum levels of 25(OH) D, ionized calcium and urine albumin/creatinine ratio. Also non-invasive assessment of arterial function (arterial stiffness, flow-mediated dilatation and carotid artery ultrasound examinations) was performed. Results: The mean vitamin D blood concentration was 47.4 +/- 16.9 nmol/l. The prevalence of modest insufficiency and deficiency of vitamin D was 62%. Vitamin D concentration in samples assembled from January to March was significantly lower than concentration levels from September to November. No significant relationship was observed between vitamin D and endothelial function, arterial stiffness, carotid intima-media thickness. Week negative correlation was stated between mean arterial pressure and 25(OH) D concentration (p = 0.04). A positive correlation was found between high density lipoprotein cholesterol and vitamin 25(OH) D (r = 0.3, p < 0.05). No significant difference between 25(OH) D and other lipoproteins, calcium ions, glucose, albumin/creatinine ratio and C-reactive protein blood concentrations were found. Conclusions: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome is high. No relation was found between vitamin D levels and parameters that indicate atherosclerotic vascular lesions. Nevertheless our study revealed the relation between concentrations of vitamin D and mean blood pressure and high density lipoprotein cholesterol. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Sp. z o.o. on behalf of Medical University of Bialystok.