Randomized trial assessing the effects of ergocalciferol administration on circulating FGF23.
OBJECTIVE
Fibroblast growth factor 23 is a phosphate- and vitamin D-regulating hormone. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of ergocalciferol administration on fibroblast growth factor 23 levels in healthy vitamin D-deficient subjects.


METHODS
In this 12-week trial conducted in a clinical research center, 18- to 45-year-old subjects (n=90) with 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels ≤20 ng/ml (by chemiluminescent immunoassay) were randomized to weekly ergocalciferol treatment of 50,000 international units or placebo, while consuming a self-selected diet. Changes in fibroblast growth factor 23, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectroscopy), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and serum phosphate were measured.


RESULTS
Mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D (P<0.0001), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (P=0.01), and fibroblast growth factor 23 (P=0.003) increased in the treatment versus placebo group. In the treatment group, 25-hydroxyvitamin D increased from 18 ± 7 to 40 ± 12 ng/ml at week 4 (P<0.0001) and remained stable at 43 ± 12 ng/ml at week 12 (P<0.0001); 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D increased from 42 ± 17 to 52 ± 18 pg/ml at week 4 (P<0.001) and then remained stable, and fibroblast growth factor 23 increased from 43 ± 17 to 60 ± 33 pg/ml at week 8 (P=0.001) and 74 ± 42 pg/ml at week 12 (P<0.0001). Urinary phosphate excretion increased within the treatment group, but parathyroid hormone and serum phosphate were unchanged.


CONCLUSIONS
Ergocalciferol administration increases circulating fibroblast growth factor 23. When measuring fibroblast growth factor 23, concurrent 25-hydroxyvitamin D measurements should be obtained, because vitamin D deficiency may lower circulating fibroblast growth factor 23 levels.
Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA. sburnett-bowie@partners.org
Sherri-Ann M
SA
Burnett-Bowie
Benjamin Z
BZ
Leder
Maria P
MP
Henao
Chantel M
CM
Baldwin
Douglas L
DL
Hayden
Joel S
JS
Finkelstein
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001900:Boston; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004872:Ergocalciferols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D000089703:Fibroblast Growth Factor-23; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010710:Phosphates / Q000097:blood; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D004872:Ergocalciferols; C000717427:FGF23 protein, human; C470125:PTH protein, human; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D010710:Phosphates; D014815:Vitamins; D014807:Vitamin D; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; C097949:1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D; D000089703:Fibroblast Growth Factor-23; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D