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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #400688
Research Project: Nutrient Metabolism and Musculoskeletal Health in Older Adults

Location: Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging

Title: Effect of vitamin D3 vs. calcifediol on VDR concentration and fiber size in skeletal muscle

Author
item CEGLIA, LISA - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item RIVAS, DONATO - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item SCHLOEGL, MATHIAS - University Of Zurich
item FIELDING, GRACE - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item EGLI, ANDREAS - University Of Zurich
item BISCHOFF-FERRARI, HEIKE - University Of Zurich
item DAWSON-HUGHES, BESS - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University

Submitted to: Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/10/2022
Publication Date: 11/16/2022
Citation: Ceglia, L., Rivas, D.A., Schloegl, M., Fielding, G.B., Egli, A.L., Bischoff-Ferrari, H.A., Dawson-Hughes, B. 2022. Effect of vitamin D3 vs. calcifediol on VDR concentration and fiber size in skeletal muscle. Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00774-022-01374-y.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00774-022-01374-y

Interpretive Summary: It is unclear whether vitamin D has a direct effect on muscle size. In this study, postmenopausal women were treated for 6 months with one of two different forms of vitamin D or placebo. Muscle biopsies were performed at the beginning and end of the study and the tissue was analyzed for muscle fiber size and other measures. Circulating levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D increased more with calcifediol than with cholecalciferol treatment. The size of type 1 fibers, those associated with greater endurance, increased during treatment with cholecalciferol but not with calcifediol treatment. No other significant changes were observed. Overall, no skeletal muscle benefits were found at the highest 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. This study does not support an important role for vitamin D in influencing muscle size.

Technical Abstract: D receptor (VDR) concentration, muscle fiber cross-sectional area (FCSA), and muscle satellite cell activation. Materials and Methods: It was conducted in a subset of the VD3 (n=12), HyD (n=11), and placebo (n=13) groups who participated in the 6-month randomized controlled HyD Osteopenia Study in postmenopausal women. Baseline and 6-month vastus lateralis muscle cross-sections were probed for VDR, fiber type I and II, and PAX7 (satellite cell marker) using immunofluorescence. Results: Baseline mean+-SD age was 61+-4 years and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) level was 55.1+-22.8 nmol/L. Baseline characteristics did not differ significantly by group. Six-month mean+-SD 25OHD levels were 138.7+-22.2 nmol/L (VD3), 206.8+-68.8 nmol/L (HyD), and 82.7+-36.1 nmol/L (placebo), ANOVA P<0.001. There were no significant group differences in 6-month change in VDR concentration (ANOVA P=0.227). Mean+-SD percent 6-month changes in type I FCSA were 20.5+-32.7% (VD3), -6.6+-20.4% (HyD), and -0.3+-14.0% (placebo, ANOVA P=0.022). Type II FCSA or PAX7 concentration did not change significantly by group (all P>0.358). Conclusion: This study demonstrated no significant change in intramyonuclear VDR in response to either form of vitamin D vs. placebo. Type I FCSA significantly increased with VD3 but not with HyD at 6 months. As type I fibers are more fatigue-resistant than type II, enlargement in type I suggests potential for improved muscle endurance. Although HyD resulted in the highest 25OHD levels, no skeletal muscle benefits were noted at these high levels.