A Pilot Study to Examine the Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Mitochondrial Bioenergetics in Older Adults

In the past two decades, the role of vitamin D has extended beyond bone health to encompass a wide range of biological activities important to muscle function in older adults. Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations (<30 ng/mL) are associated with lower extremity muscle weakness, impaired physical performance, and slower walking speed,(1-8) known risk factors for disability.(9-15) Low 25(OH)D concentrations in older adults have also been associated with frailty as well as the individual frailty components including muscle weakness, slow walking speed, and exhaustion/fatigue.(16-18) Clinical findings of vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D <12 ng/mL) include proximal muscle weakness, muscle pain, and gait impairments which are often reversed with vitamin D supplementation.(19;20) However, vitamin D's effects on the mechanisms underlying muscle function are not well understood. Recent evidence supports a role for vitamin D in skeletal muscle mitochondrial metabolism. Using 31P-MRS imaging, an increase in maximal mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) has been reported following vitamin D supplementation.(21) Thus, we hypothesize that muscle weakness and slow walking speed in individuals with low 25(OH)D concentrations may in part be due to diminished OXPHOS activity and lower ATP generation in skeletal muscle mitochondria.

Vitamin D insufficiency is common in older adults, ranging from approximately one-third to three-fourths of community-dwelling adults aged ≥70 years depending on the cut-point used (25(OH)D <20 ng/mL or <30 ng/mL, respectively).(22;23) Similarly, bioenergetic decline is broadly associated with increasing age.(24) Thus, examining the association between vitamin D and mitochondrial bioenergetics can improve our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and range of potential benefits of remediating low 25(OH)D concentrations in older adults.

The objective of the study is to obtain preliminary data on the effect of increasing 25(OH)D concentrations among older adults with vitamin D insufficiency to ≥30 ng/mL through vitamin D3 supplementation on 1) bioenergetic profiles of multiple blood cell populations, skeletal muscle mitochondria, and muscle fibers and 2) skeletal muscle mitochondrial mass and biogenesis.

Hypothesis 1: Bioenergetic capacity as well as respiratory control in muscle mitochondria, muscle fibers, and blood cells will be improved following 4 months of vitamin D3 supplementation.

Hypothesis 2: Expression of key mitochondrial proteins (VDAC/Porin and COX4) and regulators of mitochondria biogenesis (PGC1a, SIRT1, SIRT3, and TFAM) will be higher following 4 months of vitamin D3 supplementation.

We plan to recruit individuals only from screen fails of the EVIDENCE study (IRB00022395). The EVIDENCE study is enrolling 200 participants whose 25(OH)D concentrations are 18-<30 ng/mL. Those whose concentrations are 12-<18 ng/mL at their EVIDENCE screening visit will be approached about participating in this pilot study. We will utilize the EVIDENCE screen fails because this is a pilot study with limited funding, the screening labs (25(OH)D) are expensive and the number needed to screen would be cost-prohibitive in a pilot study, and these two studies are run in the same clinic with the same staff. All screening measures will occur during the EVIDENCE study and measures will begin for this study at the baseline visit.

All persons who screen fail for EVIDENCE with a 25(OH)D concentration of 12-<18 ng/mL will be informed that they are not eligible for the EVIDENCE study and will be called with these results. If they meet all of the same eligibility criteria for this study which eliminates participants with conditions that may affect their ability to safely perform the neuromuscular function tests, consume vitamin D supplements, or undergo a muscle biopsy, these people will be informed that we have another study for those whose vitamin D levels are insufficient. If interested, they will be asked to come in for a baseline visit (as long as this visit can occur within 2 months of their EVIDENCE screening visit). Those persons who screened more than 2 months ago for the EVIDENCE study will not be eligible for this study as the lab work and other tests performed may no longer be accurate.