Insights on vitamin D's role in cardiovascular disease: Investigating the association of 25-hydroxyvitamin D with the dimethylated arginines

Abstract

Accumulating evidence has stipulated a strong correlation between vitamin D (vitD) deficiency and cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, a mechanistic link is missing. This study investigated the association of vitD with endothelial dysfunction parameters. Subjects comprised male patients with verified coronary artery disease (CAD) (n569) and age- and sex-matched controls (n520). 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was determined using high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection whereas asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA and SDMA, respectively) were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Nitric oxide (NO) was determined spectrophotometrically and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was determined using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Comparison of mean 25(OH)D concentrations of patients and controls yielded a significant result (p50.0002). 25(OH)D2 was dominant in patients whereas 25(OH)D3 was dominant in controls (p50.003 and 0.001, respectively). Comparison of mean ADMA and SDMA concentrations of patients exhibiting normal and suboptimal vitD yielded insignificant results (p50.692 and 0.998, respectively). Significant results were obtained from the comparison of mean hs-CRP and NO concentrations of patients exhibiting normal and suboptimal vitD (p50.035 and 0.031, respectively). Results suggest involvement of vitD with the NO system, however not via modulation of the dimethylated arginines. A potential anti-inflammatory activity for vitD is also raised.