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.
Department of Epidemiology, Veterans Administration Medical Center, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco 94121.
D
D
Grady
B
B
Halloran
S
S
Cummings
S
S
Leveille
L
L
Wells
D
D
Black
N
N
Byl
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