Vitamin D Supplementation in HIV-infected Youth
- Conditions
- Vitamin D DeficiencyHypovitaminosis DHyperparathyroidismHIV Disease
- Interventions
- Drug: Placebo
- Registration Number
- NCT01656070
- Lead Sponsor
- University of Milan
- Brief Summary
Along with its effects on bone metabolism, vitamin D is an important modulator of the immune system. Experimental studies have shown that the active metabolite of vitamin D \[1,25(OH)2D\] is able to skew the T cell compartment into a more anti-inflammatory state, with inhibition of Th1 and Th17 cells and promotion of Th2 and T regulatory subsets.
In the context of HIV infection, in which Th1 subpopulations are devoted to inhibit viral replication, any alteration of the Th1/Th2 balance would be of concern.
The aim of this Randomized Controlled Trial is to test wether oral supplementation with cholecalciferol could be able: 1) to improve vitamin D status and, 2) to play an immunomodulatory role, in vertically HIV-infected children and young adults with hypovitaminosis D.
- Detailed Description
There is increasing evidence that hypovitaminosis D is common in the general population.
Low dietary intake of vitamin D and reduced exposure to sunlight are probably the major risk factors. A high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D has been described in HIV-infected adults, and children. HIV infection itself and antiretroviral (ARV) treatment may be responsible for alteration of vitamin D metabolism. For instance, studies have shown a significant decrease in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D \[25(OH)D\] concentration in adults receiving non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). Whatever the cause(s) of hypovitaminosis D, because of the importance of vitamin D in bone health, randomized controlled trials (RCT) have been performed to test whether vitamin D supplementation can improve vitamin D status and bone mineral metabolism in HIV-infected children and adolescents.
Along with its effects on bone metabolism, vitamin D is an important modulator of the immune system. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is found in high concentrations in activated T lymphocytes, in small amounts in monocyte/macrophage cells while B lymphocytes do not contain detectable amounts of VDR.
Experimental studies have shown that the active di-hydroxylated metabolite of vitamin D \[1,25(OH)2D\] is able to skew the T cell compartment into a more anti-inflammatory state, with inhibition of Th1 and Th17 cells and promotion of Th2 and T regulatory (Treg) subsets.
In the context of HIV infection, in which Th1 subpopulations are devoted to inhibit viral replication, 16 any alteration of the Th1/Th2 balance would be of concern.
Although all the biological effects of vitamin D are mediated by the 1,25(OH)2D, it is the 25(OH)D to be routinely quantified because of its longer half-life.17 However, HIV-infected subjects may have a defective 1α-hydroxylation of 25(OH)D. Thus, it is important to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation both in terms of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D responses.
This repeated-measures parallel-group RCT is aimed to test wether a 12-month oral supplementation with cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is able: 1) to increase serum 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D levels and, 2) to affect T-cell phenotype in vertically HIV-infected children and young adults with hypovitaminosis D and stable HIV-disease.
Main outcome: to determine the frequency of hypovitaminosis D at 12-month of follow-up among subjects supplemented with oral cholecalciferol versus subjects receiving placebo.
Secondary outcome: to investigate correlations - if any - between serum vitamin D concentration and markers of immune activation (i.e. Th1-, Th2-, Th17- and Treg-lymphocytes count, T-lymphocyte VDR expression)
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 50
- Vertically acquired HIV infection
- age < 30 years
- serum 25(OH)D concentration < 30 ng/mL
- signed written informed consent
- hyperparathyroidism, as detected by an intact serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) ≥ 65 pg/mL
- Black ethnic group
- any supplementation with vitamin D in the previous 12 months
- use of any treatment known to alter vitamin D status in the previous 6 months (excluding ARV)
- any concomitant severe illness.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Vitamin D oral cholecalciferol 1000000 UI (vitamin D3) oral cholecalciferol 1000000 UI (vitamin D3). At 0, 3, 6 and 9 months, the vitamin D group received orally 100000 IU of cholecalciferol suspended in 2 mL of olive oil in sealed plastic syringes labeled with the unique identification numbers. placebo Placebo placebo At 0, 3, 6 and 9 months, the placebo group received 2 mL of olive oil, in sealed plastic syringes labeled with the unique identification numbers.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method frequency of Hypovitaminosis D [serum 25(OH)D < 30 ng/mL] in the Vitamin D receiving group vs placebo group 12 months Vertically HIV-infected patients aged \<30 years and with serum 25(OH)D \< 30 ng/mL were randomized into the vitamin D or placebo group. At baseline (0 months), 3, 6 and 9 months, the intervention group received orally 100000 IU of cholecalciferol. Serum 25(OH)D, 1,25(OH)2D, PTH and CD4+ T cells were assessed 3 months before baseline, at 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, while Th1-, Th2-, Th17- and Treg-subsets and T-lymphocyte vitamin D receptor at 0, 3 and 12 months
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Effect of oral cholecalciferol supplementation on T cell phenotype in vertically HIV-infected youth with stable HIV diseases 12 months Vertically HIV-infected patients aged \<30 years and with serum 25(OH)D \< 30 ng/mL were randomized into the vitamin D or placebo group. At baseline (0 months), 3, 6 and 9 months, the intervention group received orally 100000 IU of cholecalciferol. CD4+ T-cells were assessed 3 months before enrollment (-3 months), at baseline (0 months) and at each visit thereafter (3, 6, 9 and 12 months). T-lymphocyte VDR expression and Th1-, Th2-, Th17- and Treg-lymphocytes were measured at 0, 3 and 12 months.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Department of Paediatrics - L. Sacco Hospital
🇮🇹Milan, Italy