Low vitamin D levels are linked with increased cardiovascular disease risk in young adults: a sub-study and secondary analyses from the ACTIBATE randomized controlled trial

• DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02272-4
• Publication Date: 2024-01-04T03:01:58Z
• Authors: F. J. Amaro-Gahete; H. Vázquez-Lorente; L. Jurado-Fasoli; M. Dote-Montero; I. Kohler; J. R. Ruiz
• Keywords: Inflammation; Male; Adult; Adolescent; Cardiovascular risk; Vitamin D Deficiency; 25-hydroxyvitamin D; Young Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cardiovascular Diseases; Risk Factors; Heart Disease Risk Factors; Humans; Female; Oxylipins; Vitamin D; Biomarkers; Young adults

Vitamin D deficiency is related to metabolic disturbances. Indeed, a poor vitamin D status has been usually detected in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the relationship between vitamin D and CVD risk factors in young adults remains controversial at present. This study aimed to examine the association between circulating 25-hydroxivitamin D (25(OH)D) and CVD risk factors in young adults.The present cross-sectional study included a cohort of 177 young adults aged 18-25 years old (65% women). 25(OH)D serum concentrations were assessed using a competitive chemiluminescence immunoassay. Fasting CVD risk factors (i.e., body composition, blood pressure, glucose metabolism, lipid profile, liver, and inflammatory markers) were determined by routine methods. A panel of 63 oxylipins and endocannabinoids (eCBs) was also analyzed by targeted metabolomics.Circulating 25(OH)D concentrations were inversely associated with a wide range of CVD risk factors including anthropometrical (all P ≤ 0.005), body composition (all P ≤ 0.038), glucose metabolism (all P ≤ 0.029), lipid profile (all P < 0.035), liver (all P ≤ 0.011), and pro-inflammatory biomarkers (all P ≤ 0.030). No associations of serum 25(OH)D concentrations were found with pro-inflammatory markers (all P ≥ 0.104), omega-6 and omega-3 oxylipins, nor eCBs concentrations or their analogs (all P ≥ 0.05).The present findings support the idea that 25(OH)D could be a useful predictor of CVD risk in young individuals.