Hypovitaminosis D Correction and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Levels in Hypertensive Adults

CONTEXT: Hypovitaminosis D has been implicated as a possible risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has been one of the most extensively studied biomarkers for cardiovascular inflammation as an indicator of disease and event risk, independent of traditional risk factors. To date, it is unclear if correction of hypovitaminosis D leads to a reduction of hs-CRP in human subjects. OBJECTIVES: To assess laboratory validity of 25-hydroxyvita-min D (25-OH-vitamin D) and hs-CRP measurements and to determine whether hs-CRP levels in adults with well-controlled hypertension and comorbid low vitamin D levels changed after hypovitaminosis D correction to a serum 25-OH-vitamin D level greater than 30 ng/mL. DESIGN: Prospective study using an unblinded design. RESULTS: One hundred eight subjects who were vitamin D insufficient or deficient completed this study. The mean 25-OH-vitamin D level was 20.07 ng/mL before treatment and 43.92 ng/mL after treatment. Posttreatment vitamin D levels were in the normal range for 91% of the subjects. No statistically significant changes in hs-CRP level were detected after the vitamin D treatment was administered and a posttreatment vitamin D level above 30 ng/mL was confirmed. CONCLUSION: We did not detect a statistically significant difference in hs-CRP after correction of hypovitaminosis D. Twelve weekly oral doses of 50,000 IU of ergocalciferol corrected the hypovitaminosis D in more than 90% of cases.