1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 and muscle strength in the elderly: a randomized controlled trial.
An unexplained loss of muscle strength occurs with aging. Vitamin D deficiency can cause myopathy and administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH2)D3] to persons with low serum concentrations can improve strength. To test the hypothesis that the weakness associated with aging is in part due to inadequate serum concentrations of [1,25-(OH2)D3], we conducted a randomized, controlled, double blinded trial in 98 men and women volunteers over 69 yr old. Treatment consisted of 0.25 micrograms 1,25-(OH)2D3, orally, twice per day or identical placebo for 6 months. Leg muscle strength of the quadriceps was measured with an isokinetic dynamometer. There was no difference between the two groups at 1 week, 1 month, or 6 months of treatment in any of the measures of muscle strength. We conclude that oral administration of 0.5 micrograms 1,25-(OH)2D3/day does not improve muscle strength in older persons. Further research is needed to determine the etiology of the decline in muscle strength associated with aging.
Grady
D
D
Department of Epidemiology, Veterans Administration Medical Center, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco 94121.
Halloran
B
B
Cummings
S
S
Leveille
S
S
Wells
L
L
Black
D
D
Byl
N
N
D000368:Aged; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D003404:Creatinine; D002117:Calcitriol; D002112:Calcifediol; D002118:Calcium