Effect of High-dose Vitamin D Supplementation on Beta Cell Function in Obese Asian-Indian Children and Adolescents: A Randomized, Double Blind, Active Controlled Study.

Vitamin D deficiency has been found to be associated with insulin resistance. In an attempt to explore this association, we planned a study to investigate the effects of high-dose vitamin D supplementation on beta cell function in obese children and adolescents.A randomized, double blind, active-controlled study was carried out to investigate the effects of high dose (120,000 IU once a month) vitamin D supplementation in comparison to recommended daily allowance (12,000 IU/month) for 12 months. Beta cell function was assessed by disposition index. Inflammatory cytokines and cardiovascular risk factors were also assessed before and after supplementation.A total of 189 obese children and adolescents were recruited. The mean serum 25OHD level of the study population was 8.36 ± 5.45 ng/ml. At baseline, 94.7% subjects were vitamin D deficient (<20 ng/mL). After 12 months of supplementation, serum 25OHD level in intervention group was 26.89 ± 12.23 ng/mL, while in control group, it was 13.14 ± 4.67 ng/mL ( < 0.001). No significant difference in disposition index as well as other parameters of insulin resistance, sensitivity, inflammatory cytokines, and pulse wave velocity was seen after supplementation.Vitamin D supplementation in doses of 120,000 IU per month for 12 months in obese Asian-Indian children and adolescents did not affect beta cell function as well as cardiovascular risk factors.