| Aims: Diabetic nephropathy is known to be an independent risk factor in the progression of renal and
cardiovascular disorders. Due to the association between vitamin D deficiency and diabetic nephropathy,
vitamin D deficiency in the diabetic nephropathy population, this study conducted to examine the effects
of Vitamin D3 on metabolic and inflammatory parameters in patients with diabetic nephropathy.
Methods: This eight-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was carried out on 50
diabetic nephropathy patients with marginal status of vitamin D. Participants were randomly assigned to
two groups: control and intervention. Participants received a vitamin D3 (50000 IU) supplement weekly
on a specific day. Fasting blood samples were collected from all patients at their entry to the study, and
eight weeks after intervention.
Results: Analyses showed significance differences in physical activity between the intervention and
placebo groups (P ¼ 0.018). There were no significant differences between the percentage changes of
HbA1c, insulin and, inflammatory parameters such as TNF-a and IL-6 (P > 0.05), while the percentage
change of FBS was significantly higher in the placebo group compared to the treatment one (P < 0.0001).
Lower levels of FBS (P < 0.0001), insulin (P < 0.069), HOMA-IR (P < 0.001), TNF-a (P< 0.002) and IL-6
(P < 0.037) were found after supplementation in treatment group. However, the phosphorous and protein
percentage change in urine were lower (P ¼ 0.07) and higher (P ¼ 0.003) between groups.
Conclusions: It was found that vitamin D supplementation can be regarded as an effective way to prevent
the progression of diabetic nephropathy by reducing levels of proteinuria, and inflammatory markers
such as TNF-a and IL-6. |