Erica Weilan Wang
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Title: Vitamin D Status and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: a biomarker study of inter-relationships in young adults
Biography
Biography: Erica Weilan Wang
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of death globally, and an increasingly severe problem in Asia. Most CVD develops in older people, but the underlying processes leading to CVD begin earlier in life. Known CVD risk factors include elevated HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), lipids, uric acid and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Based on epidemiological studies, low vitamin D status is a potential emerging risk factor for CVD. OBJECTIVES: To investigate inter-relationship between vitamin D status and established CVD risk factors in apparently healthy young adults. METHOD: Fasting blood was collected from 173 young (18-26 years) healthy, consenting adults. Vitamin D status (assessed by plasma 25(OH)D concentration) was measured by LC-MS/MS, and CVD risk factors by established procedures. Correlational analysis (Spearman’s) was performed; biomarker differences across quartiles of plasma 25(OH)D were investigated using ANOVA. RESULTS: Mean(SD) 25(OH)D was 41.0(12.6)nmol/l, with range 15-84nmol/l. For the CVD risk biomarkers, mean(SD) results were: HbA1c, 5.34(0.69)%; FPG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C and Tg (mmol/l), 5.26(0.44), 4.60(0.76), 1.50(0.30), 2.72(0.62), 0.83(0.34), respectively; uric acid, 322(75)μmol/l; hsCRP, 0.75(2.68)mg/l. Significant (p<0.05) correlation was seen only between 25(OH)D and uric acid. No significant differences (p>0.05) in biomarkers were seen across 25(OH)D quartiles. CONCLUSION: Results did not show a clear link between vitamin D status and CVD risk biomarkers in young adults. However, it is noted that overall vitamin D status of the subjects studied was poor, and only one subject had sufficient 25(OH)D (≥75nmol/l). Study involving low-status subjects supplemented with vitamin D is needed and is ongoing.