Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is associated with both arterial and ventricular stiffness in healthy subjects

BackgroundVitamin D regulates the renin–angiotensin system, suppresses proliferation of vascular smooth muscle and improves endothelial cell dependent vasodilatation. These mechanisms may play a role on pathogenesis of arterial and left ventricular stiffness.ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D with arterial and left ventricular stiffness in healthy subjects.MethodsWe studied 125 healthy subjects without known cardiovascular risk factors or overt heart disease (mean age: 60.2 ± 11.9 years). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was measured using a direct competitive chemiluminescent immunoassay. The subjects were divided into two groups according to the serum vitamin D level; vitamin D sufficient (≥20 ng/ml, n = 56) and vitamin D deficient (<20 ng/ml, n = 69). Indexes of LV stiffness such as E/A and E/E′ were measured. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), which reflects arterial stiffness, was calculated using the single-point method via the Mobil-O-Graph® ARC solver algorithm.ResultsSystolic blood pressure, level of serum calcium, PWV and E/E′ values were higher and E/A values were lower in vitamin D deficient group compared with vitamin D sufficient group. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that vitamin D level was independently associated with E/E′ (β = −0.364, p < 0.001), serum calcium (r = −0.136, p = 0.014), PWV (β = −0.203, p = 0.003), E/A (β = 0.209, p = 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (β = −0.293, p < 0.001).Conclusion25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with increased ventricular and arterial stiffness as well as systolic blood pressure in healthy subjects.