Parameters of the thrombogram are associated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels at baseline, but not affected during supplementation with vitamin D

Abstract

Introduction: In vitro studies indicate an anticoagulant effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and sun exposure may lower the risk of thrombotic events. Accordingly, an effect on haemostatic parameters could be expected after supplementation with vitamin D.

Materials and methods: 158 obese or overweight subjects were included in a one year intervention study with supplementation with 40.000 IU vitamin D(3) per week or placebo. All subjects were given 500 mg calcium daily. Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), tissue plasminogen activator antigen (tPA Ag), and tissue factor-induced thrombin generation over time in plasma assessed by the calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT) method as a parameter of over all thrombotic activity, were measured before and at the end of the study.

Results: Mean baseline serum 25(OH)D level was 61.8 nmol/L and increased in the vitamin D group to 145.6 nmol/L at the end of the study. At baseline there was a significant decrease in the CAT variables lag time and time to peak of the thrombogram across increasing serum 25(OH)D quartiles, whereas no significant associations between serum 25(OH)D and PAI-1 or tPA Ag were found. After one year, no significant differences were found between the vitamin D and placebo groups regarding change in any of the haemostatic parameters.

Conclusions: The association between lag time and time to peak in the CAT assay and serum 25(OH)D levels could indicate a pro-thrombotic state in subjects with high serum 25(OH)D levels, whereas the lack of effect of high dose vitamin D supplementation questions the causality of this relation.