VITAMIN-D METABOLITES IN DIABETIC-PATIENTS - DECREASED SERUM CONCENTRATION OF 24,25-DIHYDROXYVITAMIN-D

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 42  (6) , 487-491
Abstract
In order to elucidate if changes in vitamin D metabolism play a role for diabetic bone loss, the serum concentrations of the major vitamin D metabolites were studied in 26 adult male ambulatory insulin-treated diabetics, selected to have normal renal function and a duration of diabetes below 11 yr. The patients were studied during usual metabolic control and exhibited wide ranges of hyperglycemia and glycosuria. The serum concentrations of the major metabolites of vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D(2+3) (25OHD), 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(2+3) (24,25(OH)2D) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(2+3) (1,25(OH)2D), were measured in diabetics, and in age and sex matched controls. The diabetics had slightly decreased serum levels of 25OHD (42.0 nmol/l vs. 55.5 nmol/l in normals, P < 0.05), markedly decreased serum levels of 24,25(OH)2D (2.98 nmol/l vs. 5.91 nmol/l, P < 0.01), but serum levels of 1,25(OH)2D were virtually normal (64.2 pmol/l vs. 68.3 pmol/l, ns [not significant]). The close correlation between serum concentrations of 25OHD and 24,25(OH)2D observed in the normal subjects was absent in the diabetics. There were no correlations between the serum levels of any of the vitamin D metabolites and the measured indices of glucose and Ca metabolism. Insulin-dependent diabetic patients demonstrate definite alterations in serum levels of vitamin D metabolites, the significance of which remains unknown at present.