Serum Vitamin D Status, Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphism, and Glucose Homeostasis in Healthy Subjects

Low vitamin D status has been frequently associated with impaired glucose metabolism. We examined associations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) and several parameters of glucose homeostasis in virtually healthy subjects, and explored possible interaction with vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphism. Nondiabetic subjects without chronic medication or any known significant manifest disease were selected from large general-population based population survey. Insulin sensitivity and beta cell secretion were calculated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) and soluble isoform of receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE) using commercial ELISA. Subjects were also genotyped for rs2228570 polymorphism of VDR. After adjustment for potential confounders, we observed a significant relationship between 25-OH-D and fasting glycemia (beta coefficient = -5.904; p = 0.002) or insulin sensitivity (beta = 0.042; p = 0.001), but not with beta cell secretion or sRAGE. We found also an interaction with VDR polymorphism. Subjects with low 25-OH-D and AA genotype had significantly lower insulin sensitivity than those with GG genotype plus highest 25-OH-D concentrations (107.3 % vs. 183.9 %, p = 0.021). In conclusion, low vitamin D status was in virtually healthy subjects associated with decreased insulin sensitivity, namely in those with GG genotype of rs2228570 VDR polymorphism.