Effect of cholecalciferol and calcium supplementation on muscle strength and energy metabolism in vitamin D-deficient Asian Indians: a randomized, controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent worldwide. Vitamin D supplementation has shown variable effect on skeletal muscle strength in the elderly with hypovitaminosis D. There is a paucity of similar data in young individuals.


OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of cholecalciferol and calcium supplementation on muscle strength and energy metabolism in young individuals.


METHODS
Forty healthy volunteers (24 M/16 F, mean age (SD) 31.5 ± 5.0 year) with hypovitaminosis D were randomized to either oral cholecalciferol (60,000 IU D3/week for 8 weeks followed by 60,000 IU/month for 4 months) with 1 g of elemental calcium daily or dual placebos for 6 months.


METHODS
Handgrip and gastro-soleus dynamometry, pinch-grip strength, respiratory pressures, 6-min walk-test and muscle energy metabolism on (31) P magnetic resonance spectroscopy were assessed at baseline and after 6 months.


RESULTS
The mean serum 25(OH)D in the supplemented and placebo groups at baseline, two and 6 months were 25.4 ± 9.9, 94.5 ± 53.8 and 56.0 ± 17.0 nm, and 21.1 ± 9.4, 32.8 ± 14.4 and 29.7 ± 15.0 nm, respectively. The supplemented group gained a handgrip strength of 2.4 kg (95% C.I. = 1.2-3.6); gastro-soleus strength of 3.0 Nm (95% C.I. = 0.1-5.9) and walking distance of 15.9 m (95% C.I. = 6.3-25.5) over the placebo group after adjustment for age, gender and respective baseline parameters. Muscle energy parameters were comparable at 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Six months of cholecalciferol and calcium supplementation results in enhanced skeletal muscle strength and physical performance despite no change in muscle energy parameters. Cholecalciferol supplementation of 60,000 IU per month could not maintain 25(OH)D levels in the sufficient range.
Gupta
Rajat
R
Department of Endocrinology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. gosravinder@hotmail.com
Sharma
Uma
U
Gupta
Nandita
N
Kalaivani
M
M
Singh
U
U
Guleria
Randeep
R
Jagannathan
N R
NR
Goswami
Ravinder
R
D000328:Adult; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy*
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D014807:Vitamin D; D002762:Cholecalciferol; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D