Vitamin D May Protect Beta Cell Function in Adults with Latent Autoimmune Diabetes

Topic: Vitamin D May Protect Beta Cell Function in Adults with Latent Autoimmune Diabetes

Keywords: DIABETES, LATENT AUTOIMMUNE DIABETES, TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS - Vitamin D

Reference: "Protective effects of 1-alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 on residual beta-cell function in patients with adult-onset latent autoimmune diabetes (LADA)," Li X, Liao L, et al, Diabetes Metab Res Rev, 2009 June 1; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Zhiguang Zhou, Diabetes Center, Institute of Metabolism and Endocrinology Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. E-mail: zhouzg@hotmail.com ).

Summary: In a randomized study involving 35 patients with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) - a form of slowly progressive autoimmune type 1 diabetes - treatment with vitamin D (1-alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3, 0.5 microg/d), in addition to treatment with subcutaneous insulin, for a period of one year, was found to preserve pancreatic beta-cell function more significantly than treatment with insulin alone. Specifically, while levels of fasting plasma C-peptide (FCP) and plasma C-peptide levels 2 hours after a 75-g glucose load decreased in the insulin-alone group, they remained stable in the insulin plus 1-alpha(OH)D3 group. In addition, while only 22% of patients treated with insulin alone maintained stable FCP, 70% of patients treated with insulin plus 1-alpha(OH)D3 maintained stable FCP levels. Further analysis found that the benefits of 1-alpha(OH)D3 on islet beta-cell function appear to exist only for those subjects with diabetes duration no more than one year. These results suggest that adding 1-alpha(OH)D3 to insulin therapy may prevent pancreatic beta-cell function in patients with LADA. These results support findings from previous in vitro and in vivo studies that have showed vitamin D to be effective in preventing pancreatic beta-cell destruction.

Provided by:
C. Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Energy Medicine
President Emeritus
Holos University Graduate Seminary
www.holosuniversity.org
www.normshealy.com
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