title: Effect of cholecalciferol and calcium supplementation on muscle strength and energy metabolism in vitamin D-deficient Asian Indians: a randomized, controlled trial.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. gosravinder@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Rajat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Uma
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Nandita
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalaivani
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Randeep
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guleria
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Jagannathan
authors.forename: Ravinder
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goswami
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D014807:Vitamin D; D002762:Cholecalciferol; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D