Vitamin D reduces foam cell formationVitamin D reduces VSMC foam cell formation and protects against AS progression.
We set out to explore how vitamin D impacts the formation of foam cells from vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), which are key players in the development of atherosclerosis. Our investigation centered on whether vitamin D could suppress the creation of these foam cells and the potential involvement of a receptor called Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in this process.
Using ApoE-/- mice, we assessed the effects of vitamin D supplementation on atherosclerotic plaque formation and looked at the expression of important genes related to cholesterol transport and TLR4. The results were promising—supplemental vitamin D significantly reduced the formation of foam cells and atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta. We noticed that vitamin D not only decreased the expression of TLR4 and other foam cell markers but also encouraged the upregulation of cholesterol transport proteins that help maintain healthy cell function.
In laboratory conditions, vitamin D proved effective in reducing the uptake of oxidized LDL by VSMCs while enhancing the efflux of cholesterol. Notably, we discovered that knocking down TLR4 impaired foam cell formation, suggesting its critical role in this process.
Overall, our findings highlight that vitamin D might be a protective agent against cardiovascular disease by reducing foam cell formation through the JNK-TLR4 signaling pathway. This suggests a potential avenue for dealing with atherosclerotic disease through vitamin D treatment.
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Vitamin D3's role in cardiovascular healthUnveiling the benefits of Vitamin D3 with SGLT-2 inhibitors for hypertensive obese obstructive sleep apnea patients.
Our study delved into the potential benefits of vitamin D3 in improving cardiovascular health, particularly among hypertensive patients suffering from obesity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We designed a randomized clinical trial where participants received either dapagliflozin (an SGLT-2 inhibitor), vitamin D3, a combination of both, or no treatment over a period of 16 weeks.
We evaluated various health parameters including weight, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and heart function, and analyzed their impact on participants' quality of life. Interestingly, our results indicated that when vitamin D3 was combined with SGLT2 inhibitors, there were notable improvements in several cardio-metabolic outcomes and quality of life measures.
This finding suggests that the dual approach could be a promising strategy in managing cardiovascular risks associated with obesity and OSA. Though our study does not isolate the effects of vitamin D3 alone on cardiovascular disease, it highlights its potential role when paired with other treatments, offering a glimmer of hope for patients dealing with these health challenges.
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Vitamin D benefits blood pressure managementCalcium, magnesium, and vitamin D supplementations as complementary therapy for hypertensive patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
We examined the role of vitamin D supplementation in managing hypertension, particularly its effects on cardiovascular health. After analyzing data from a systematic review and meta-analysis that included 24 relevant studies, we discovered that vitamin D has significant benefits for blood pressure.
The findings revealed that vitamin D supplementation was linked to a notable reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Specifically, vitamin D led to a decrease in systolic blood pressure by an average of 2.83 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 1.64 mmHg. This is promising news for those looking to manage hypertension more effectively.
Unlike calcium and magnesium, which only significantly lowered diastolic blood pressure but didn't impact systolic blood pressure or pulse rate, vitamin D showed consistent and significantly positive outcomes. Therefore, incorporating vitamin D into treatment plans for hypertensive patients could be a beneficial step toward improving cardiovascular health.
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Vitamin D's role in heart healthAssociations between serum micronutrients and all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality in a national representative population: Mediated by inflammatory biomarkers.
We explored the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as all-cause and cancer mortality. Using data from over 11,500 adults aged 40 and older, we wanted to understand whether having higher amounts of this nutrient in our blood could lead to better health outcomes.
Our investigation focused on seeing if the connections between vitamin D and mortality were influenced by inflammation in the body. What we found was intriguing: higher serum levels of vitamin D were linked to lower risks of dying from heart disease and other causes, suggesting that maintaining sufficient vitamin D could be beneficial for heart health.
Additionally, we observed that these benefits might be partly due to reduced inflammation, as measured by biomarkers like C-reactive protein and white blood cell counts. This points to a promising area of research where vitamin D not only plays a role in overall health but could also reduce inflammation, which is a key player in cardiovascular conditions.
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Vitamin D impacts cardiovascular diseaseAssociation between serum vitamin D level and cardiovascular disease in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study.
We wanted to understand how vitamin D levels affect cardiovascular health, specifically among individuals with type 2 diabetes. Our study involved 1,378 hospitalized patients, examining their vitamin D status and its relationship with cardiovascular disease (CVD).
We found that patients with lower levels of vitamin D were more likely to experience CVD. The research revealed that those deficient in vitamin D had a 1.25 times greater risk of heart disease compared to those with sufficient vitamin D levels. This relationship was particularly strong among women, older adults, and individuals dealing with obesity.
Additionally, we observed significant links between vitamin D deficiency and various cardiometabolic risk factors, including overweight/obesity, high blood pressure, and unhealthy lipid levels. This highlights the potential role of vitamin D in managing heart health, especially for those living with diabetes.
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