Role of Vitamin D Receptor in Prediabetes

Background: Recent epidemiological evidence points towards the potential association of vitamin D insufficiency with adverse metabolic risk and in the pathogenesis of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and other diseases. Vitamin D exerts its action in a variety of cell types through vitamin D receptors. No reports are available in the literature regarding vitamin D and vitamin D receptor status in prediabetics. The present study was planned to compare serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] and vitamin D receptor (VDR) protein levels in prediabetic cases and normoglycemic controls. Methods: The present study was conducted in 80 persons who were divided into two groups, Study group (n= 40) comprised of diagnosed cases of prediabetes and control group (n=40) comprised of healthy normoglycemic controls. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] was analyzed by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Serum vitamin D receptor (VDR) protein was analyzed by sandwich enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). Results: Serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels were significantly decreased in prediabetic cases as compared to normoglycemic controls [p<0.001]. Serum Vitamin D receptor protein levels were highly significantly decreased in prediabetic cases as compared to normoglycemic controls [p<0.00]. Serum 25(OH)D levels showed a highly significant positive correlation with serum VDR levels in both the groups [p<0.001 at both levels]. Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicate that vitamin D and VDR can serve as a possible screening marker and target for modulation of the management and alleviating the progress and complications of diabetes.