• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.385-392
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• 2013

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent, primarily due to limited sun exposure, which may be observed in urban areas, or as a result of modern lifestyles. Common myths about vitamin D persist, including that it is mostly obtained from the diet and is only essential for bone and mineral homeostasis. Nonetheless, advances in biomedical science suggest that vitamin D is a hormone that is integral to numerous physiologic functions in most cells and tissues. Therefore, abnormal vitamin D levels may contribute to health disturbances. A number of recent reports on potential associations between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular disease have highlighted its role in this system. A focus over the previous decade has been to better understand the mechanisms behind vitamin D regulation and the pathophysiology associated with suboptimal vitamin D levels. Vitamin D deficiency is highly associated with the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, even when considering other well-known risk factors. In this process, the renin-angiotensin system is disrupted, and hypertension and endothelial dysfunction contribute to the risk of cardiovascular disease. Likewise, clinical outcomes upon the normalization of vitamin D levels have been investigated in different patient populations. It makes sense that vitamin D supplementation to improve vitamin D status among vitamin D-deficient individuals could be useful without requiring a sudden lifestyle change. This manuscript provides a brief overview of vitamin D metabolism and the vitamin D receptor. It also summarizes the current clinical research relating to vitamin D supplementation and its effects on hypertension and endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular medicine.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.20-25
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• 2021

[Purpose] The aim of this review was to discuss the effects of vitamin D on physical performance and musculoskeletal injuries in athletes and provide information on the field applications of vitamin D. [Methods] A systematic review was conducted to identify studies on vitamin D in athletes that assessed serum vitamin D levels, vitamin D and physical performance, vitamin D and musculoskeletal injuries, and practical guidelines for supplementation of vitamin D. [Results] Several studies reported that a high proportion of athletes had vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency. Low serum levels of vitamin D in athletes were more pronounced in winter than in other seasons, and indoor athletes had lower serum vitamin D levels than outdoor athletes. Low vitamin D levels have been demonstrated to have negative effects on muscle strength, power, and endurance; increase stress fractures and other musculoskeletal injuries; and affect acute muscle injuries and inflammation following high-intensity exercises. Therefore, periodic assessment and monitoring of vitamin D levels are necessary in athletes; the recommended serum level of 25(OH)D is > 32 ng/mL and the preferred level is > 40 ng/mL (-1). In those with low levels of vitamin D, exposure to sunlight and an improved diet or supplements may be helpful. Particularly, 2000-6000 IU of supplemental vitamin D3 can be consumed daily. [Conclusion] Vitamin D is a potential nutritional factor that can significantly affect physical performance and musculoskeletal injuries in athletes. The importance and role of vitamin D in athletes should be emphasized, and the current levels of vitamin D should be assessed. Therefore, it is essential to periodically evaluate and monitor serum vitamin D levels in athletes.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.553-567
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• 2020

Vitamin D insufficiency is associated with obesity and its related metabolic diseases. Adipose tissues store and metabolize vitamin D and expression levels of vitamin D metabolizing enzymes are known to be altered in obesity. Sequestration of vitamin D in large amount of adipose tissues and low vitamin D metabolism may contribute to the vitamin D inadequacy in obesity. Vitamin D receptor is expressed in adipose tissues and vitamin D regulates multiple aspects of adipose biology including adipogenesis as well as metabolic and endocrine function of adipose tissues that can contribute to the high risk of metabolic diseases in vitamin D insufficiency. We will review current understanding of vitamin D regulation of adipose biology focusing on vitamin D modulation of adiposity and adipose tissue functions as well as the molecular mechanisms through which vitamin D regulates adipose biology. The effects of supplementation or maintenance of vitamin D on obesity and metabolic diseases are also discussed.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.10
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• pp.417-423
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• 2013

Vitamin D is an essential component of bone and mineral metabolism; its deficiency causes growth retardation and skeletal deformities in children and osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults. Hypovitaminosis D (vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency) is observed not only in adults but also in infants, children, and adolescents. Previous studies suggest that sufficient serum vitamin D levels should be maintained in order to enhance normal calcification of the growth plate and bone mineralization. Moreover, emerging evidence supports an association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels and immune function, respiratory diseases, obesity, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, infection, allergy, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases in pediatric and adolescent populations. The risk factors for vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency in the pediatric population are season (winter), insufficient time spent outdoors, ethnicity (non-white), older age, more advanced stage of puberty, obesity, low milk consumption, low socioeconomic status, and female gender. It is recommended that all infants, children, and adolescents have a minimum daily intake of 400 IU ($10{\mu}g$) of vitamin D. Since the vitamin D status of the newborn is highly related to maternal vitamin D levels, optimal vitamin D levels in the mother during pregnancy should be maintained. In conclusion, given the important role of vitamin D in childhood health, more time spent in outdoor activity (for sunlight exposure) and vitamin D supplementation may be necessary for optimal health in infants, children, and adolescents.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.39-53
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• 2017

Insufficient vitamin D intake is a major health problem around the world. Recently, many studies have suggested that vitamin D intake may influence insulin resistance. However, little is known about the association between vitamin D and diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and diabetes mellitus in Korean adults. This study was a cross-sectional analysis of 3,686 participants of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2013~2014 aged 19 years and higher. The results showed that the mean serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) level in Korean adults was 16.77 ng/mL, and 74.2% of them had an insufficient serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) level (below 20 ng/mL). In normal and pre-diabetic groups, the serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) level significantly increased with age (P<0.001), but there was no significant difference relative to age in the diabetic group. Low vitamin D levels (25-hydroxy vitamin D < 10 ng/mL) were associated with increased fasting blood glucose levels, compared with optimal vitamin D levels (25-hydroxy vitamin D > 30 ng/mL), after adjusting for variables that may affect fasting blood glucose, but this result was not significant. In conclusion, although no significant association was observed between diabetes prevalence and vitamin D levels in this study, further studies are needed because the effect of vitamin D on diabetes remains controversial. This nutrient plays a crucial role in the body, and levels are insufficient in the Korean population.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.207-217
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the seasonal changes in vitamin D levels in a healthy pediatric population living in mid-latitude East Asian urban areas. Methods: A pediatric population was selected from single secondary hospital visitors. Clinical data and serum vitamin D levels were collected retrospectively. Statistical analyses were performed based on the month of the blood sampling date, subject age, and vitamin D supplementation history. The data were categorized into three subgroups based on serum vitamin D levels-adequate (≥30 ng/mL), insufficient (20-29 ng/mL), and deficient (<20 ng/mL). Results: Of the 481 patients, 172 had vitamin D supplementation history. More than 70% of the total study population had inadequate vitamin D levels (<30 ng/mL). The non-supplemented group and the supplemented group showed significantly uneven monthly distribution of the adequate, insufficient, and deficient subgroups. Only the non-supplemented group showed significantly different average vitamin D levels in the summer months compared to the winter months. In the non-supplemented group, vitamin D levels were the lowest in March, the highest in August and September. Significant relevance was noted between vitamin D supplementation status and vitamin D serum level in February and March. There was no significant difference between different age groups in terms of the distribution of vitamin D levels. Conclusion: Currently-widespread vitamin D replacement methods seem to have some effect on increasing the overall serum vitamin D levels, specifically during late winter when natural serum vitamin D levels plunge. However, they are unable to fully compensate the seasonal fluctuation.

• Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.223-232
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• 2018

Vitamin D, a free sunshine vitamin available for mankind from nature, is capable to avert many health-related critical circumstances. Vitamin D is no more regarded as a nutrient involved in bone metabolism alone. The presence of vitamin D receptor in a number of tissues implies that vitamin D has various physiological roles apart from calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Low serum vitamin D has been found to be associated with various types of metabolic illness such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, cardiovascular diseases including hypertension. Various studies reported that vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency in linked with metabolic syndrome risk. This review focuses on various metabolic diseases and its relationship with serum vitamin D status.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 1999

Purpose: The aims of this study are to measure the serum levels of fat soluble vitamins (vitamin A and D) from bile duct ligated rats, and to evaluate the effect of oral bile acids administration to facilitate absorption of fat soluble vitamins. Methods: We measured serum ALT, total bilirubin, vitamin A, and vitamin D of Sprague-Dawley rats 1 week before and 4 weeks after experimental bile duct ligation. Rats were consisted with 3 groups. Group 2 had been fed bile acids and group 3 ursodeoxycholic acid after operation for 4 weeks. Multi-vitamin was given to all groups. Results: 1) Base line (mean value before duct ligation): ALT 74.2 IU, total bilirubin 0.26 mg/dL; vitamin D 13.01 ng/mL vitamin A $0.87\;{\mu}g/mL$, total bile acids $25.16\;{\mu}mol/L$. 2) Four weeks after ligation: ALT 100.7 IU, total bilirubin 2.58 mg/dL; vitamin D 7.89 ng/mL vitamin A $1.37{\mu}g/mL$, total bile acids $278.22\;{\mu}mol/L$. 3) 4 weeks after ligation, each group (group 1, group 2 and group 3) showed vitamin D (7.62, 8.10 and 7.99) ng/mL, vitamin A (1.68, 1.06 and 1.33) ${\mu}g/mL$, total bile acids (233.17, 345.80 and 268.57) ${\mu}mol/L$, which were statistically not significant. Conclusion: Serum level of vitamin A is increased after bile duct ligation although vitamin D is decreased. Oral administration of bile acids does not affect the serum levels of vitamin A and D in bile duct ligated rats.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.226-229
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• 2005

An experiment was conducted to produce eggs enriched with vitamins $D_3$, K and iron in eggs. Six hundred 97-wk-old ISA Brown force molted hens were allocated to completely randomized block arrangement of six dietary treatments: T1; control (C), T2; C+4,000 IU vitamin $D_3$+2.5 mg vitamin K+100 ppm Fe, T3; C+8,000 IU vitamin $D_3$+5.0 mg vitamin K+100 ppm Fe, T4; C+12,000 IU vitamin $D_3$+7.5 mg vitamin K+100 ppm Fe, T5; C+16,000 IU vitamin $D_3$+10.0 mg vitamin K+100 ppm Fe, T6; C+20,000 IU vitamin $D_3$+12.5 mg vitamin K+100 ppm Fe. Fe was supplemented with Fe-methionine. Each treatment consisted of five replicates of ten cages with two birds per cage. Egg production and egg weight were highest in T2 and incidence of soft and broken egg was highest in T6. Haugh unit was not different among treatments although it tended to be increased as dietary vitamins $D_3$ and K increased. Eggshell strength was not different among treatment. Concentrations of vitamin $D_3$ and K in egg yolk increased and plateaued approximately 20 days after feeding supplemented diets. The level of these vitamins peaked at 12,000 IU/kg vitamin $D_3$ and 7.5 mg/kg vitamin K supplementation and then decreased at the higher than these supplementation levels. The peak concentrations of vitamin $D_3$ and vitamin K were 4.6 times and 4.8 times greater than the control, respectively. Supplementary Fe also increased Fe content in egg yolk. It is concluded that vitamin $D_3$ and K in eggs can be effectively enriched by proper supplementation time and level of these vitamins.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.254-260
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• 2013

Purpose: Recently, vitamin D insufficiency has increased and has been correlated to growth and puberty in children. This study was conducted to find the prevalence of subclinical vitamin D insufficiency and its influence on school-aged children in Korea. Methods: The subjects of this study were 397 children aged 7 to 15 years who had been tested for 25-OH vitamin D3 among the outpatients of the Department of Pediatrics in Eulji General Hospital from March 2007 to February 2011. Data for age, sex, comorbidities, serum 25-OH vitamin D3, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and sunlight exposure time were collected before and after 3 months of vitamin D administration, retrospectively. Results: Vitamin D insufficiency was present in 343 (86%) of the subjects. In the vitamin D insufficient group, chronological age was $8.96{\pm}1.72$ years, mean height (z-score [z]) was $0.51{\pm}1.26$, mean BMI (z) was $0.81{\pm}2.20$, and bone age was $10.26{\pm}1.75$ years. In the vitamin D sufficient group, chronological age was $9.61{\pm}1.77$ years, mean height (z) was -$0.66{\pm}0.98$, mean BMI (z) was -$0.01{\pm}1.16$, and bone age was $9.44{\pm}2.12$ years. A paired t-test showed that three months after vitamin D administration, the mean 25-OH vitamin D3 level in the insufficient group increased to $24.38{\pm}10.03$ ng/mL and mean BMI (z) decreased to $0.67{\pm}1.06$. Conclusion: In Korean school-aged children, vitamin D insufficiency were relatively higher and may be closely related with higher BMI. Insufficient rise of the level of vitamin D after supplementation suggest the new supplementation guidelines, especially for Korean children.