Impact of Vitamin D and Vitamin D Receptor on Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases in Children and Adolescents with Obesity in Sichuan, China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have demonstrated the close relationship between vitamin D, vitamin D receptor (VDR), and obesity. Nevertheless, few studies have reported wherther the relationship among these is associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Chinese children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to reveal the effects of obesity, serum vitamin D levels, and VDR FokI genotype on the risk of CVDs in children and adolescents in Sichuan, China.

METHODS

Children and adolescents were recruited into a cross-sectional study. Serum vitamin D levels, serum lipid levels, and VDR FokI gene polymorphisms were measured in the laboratory. The selected lipid factors were used as biomarkers of CVD risk. The impact of obesity, vitamin D levels and VDR FokI genotype on CVD risk factors were investigated.

RESULTS

Higher lipid levels were observed in children and adolescents in the obese group, when compared to the nonobese group. In the obese group, the C allele carriers had significantly lower concentrations of lipids, when compared to the TT genotype. C allele carriers who were vitamin D deficient had lower levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), apolipoprotein B (Apo-B), total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C/HDL-C), and triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C), when compared to those with the TT genotype in obese children and adolescents. For vitamin D-insufficient obese children and adolescents, the TC, Apo-B, and TC/HDL-C in the C allele carriers were significantly lower, when compared to those in the TT genotype in obese children and adolescents.

CONCLUSION

Obese children with low vitamin D levels, who are carriers of the C allele of the FokI gene, have lower levels of several biochemical markers of CVD risk, when compared to those who were TT homozygous. Obese children and adolescents may benefit from vitamin D supplementation, terms of lowering their CVD risk, particularly when they are carriers of the C allele of the FokI gene.