Effect of vitamin B1 supplementation on bone turnover markers in adults: an exploratory single-arm pilot study

Abstract

Although B vitamins have been shown to play beneficial roles in bone health, the effects of vitamin B1 in humans are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin B1 supplementation on middle-aged and older adults. This single-armed trial study included community-dwelling adults in Japan and used a pre- and post-test design. The participants were given 28.0 mg of vitamin B1 supplementation per day for 1 month in addition to their daily usual diet. The effect of this treatment on bone turnover markers and metabolism was evaluated at baseline and after 1 month. Forty-two participants were enrolled (mean age, 58.6 ± 10.4 years; 36 women). The vitamin B1 levels in whole blood increased significantly from baseline after vitamin B1 supplementation. The level of serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP 5b), a bone resorption marker, reduced significantly (378 ± 135 vs. 335 ± 120 mU/dL, p < 0.001), while the level of N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (P1NP), a marker specific to bone formation, did not change. Moreover, the serum phosphorus and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations did not change, whereas the corrected serum calcium concentrations increased and vitamin D concentrations decreased. The serum TRACP 5b levels decreased after vitamin B1 supplementation in the middle-aged and older adults. Further definitive trials are needed to determine the efficacy of vitamin B1 in improving bone health.

Keywords: ,25(OH)D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D; ,BMD, bone mineral density; ,BMI, body mass index; ,P1NP, N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen; ,PTH, parathyroid hormone; ,TRACP, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase; ,eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate; Nutrition; Osteoclast; Osteoporosis; Prevention; Thiamine.

Fig. 1.

Change in the levels of bone turnover markers. (a) TRACP 5b. (b) P1NP. *p < 0.001. TRACP 5b, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b; P1NP, N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen.

Fig. 2.

Subgroup analysis for the changes in the serum TRACP 5b levels. (a) Sex. (b) Age. (c) Baseline VB1 levels in whole blood. (d) Baseline serum 25(OH)D levels. (e) BMI. (f) Habit of physical activities. VB, vitamin B1; BMI, body mass index; PA, physical activity.

Fig. 3.

Subgroup analysis for the changes in the serum P1NP levels. (a) Sex. (b) Age. (c) Baseline VB1 levels in whole blood. (d) Baseline serum 25(OH)D levels. (e) BMI. (f) Habit of physical activities. VB, vitamin B1; BMI, body mass index; PA, physical activity.