The effects of vitamin D on severity of coronary artery atherosclerosis and lipid profile of cardiac patients

INTRODUCTION: A deficiency of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) (the standard biomarker for vitamin D status) can have multiple impacts on the cardiovascular system. The aim of the study was to assess of the influence of 25(OH)D on severity of coronary atherosclerosis and lipid profile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved prospectively 637 patients subject to coronary catheterization. The stage of coronary atherosclerosis was assessed using the Coronary Artery Surgery Study score (CASSS). Plasma concentration of 25(OH)D was measured using an electrochemiluminescent immunoassay. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) were measured using the enzymatic method, and the concentration of low-density cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated with the Friedewald equation. RESULTS: The average level of 25(OH)D was 15.85 ng/ml. A higher level of 25(OH)D was observed in men (16.28 ng/ml vs. 15.1 ng/ml; p = 0.027). The study did not reveal any significant correlation between the level of 25(OH)D and severity of coronary atherosclerosis. It was observed however that the increase of 25(OH)D level results in an increased number of patients without significant lesions in the coronary arteries. In the whole group of women and men in the age group of 70–80 years an inverse relationship was observed between the level of 25(OH) and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis. The whole study group showed a statistically significant inverse correlation of the 25(OH)D level with TC (p = 0.0057), LDL-C (p = 0.00037) and TG (p = 0.00017). CONCLUSIONS: Women and men over 70 years showed an inverse correlation of the 25(OH)D level and the stage of coronary atherosclerosis. Deficiency of 25(OH)D affects the levels of TC, LDL-C and TG.