Endocrine Abstracts

Vitamin D deficiency has been observed in diabetes mellitus type 2 patients. It has been found to be related to poor glycemic control in diabetes mellitus type 2 patients as well as in patients with gestational diabetes. The administration of vitamin D in diabetes mellitus type 2 patients with vitamin D deficiency has been found to have conflicting results on blood glucose control. The aim was to assess the effect of vitamin D administration in diabetes mellitus type 2 patients with vitamin D deficiency on blood glucose control. In a group of 20 diabetes mellitus type 2 patients with vitamin D deficiency vitamin D was administered along with oral hypoglycemic agents. 25(OH)D₃ and glycosylated hemoglobin levels were measured at the beginning of the study and 3 months later. Patients were on treatment with oral hypoglycemic agents. Cholecalciferol was administered orally at a dose of 1,200IU daily for a period of 3 months. At the beginning of the study diabetes mellitus type 2 patients were found to have vitamin D deficiency, 25(OH)D₃ levels being 18.6±0.86ng/ml (mean±S.E.M), glycosylated hemoglobin levels being 7.1±0.15%. After the administration of cholecalciferol for a period of 3 months glycosylated hemoglobin levels decreased to 6.56±0.19% (P<0.05, Student's t test). Vitamin D supplementation in diabetes mellitus type 2 patients on oral hypoglycemic agents may contribute to better blood glucose control. These results are in accordance with the known effect of vitamin D on insulin secretion as well as on insulin sensitivity. However, as the study involved diabetes mellitus type 2 patients the effect of better adherence to dietary restrictions or improved compliance to the oral hypoglycemic treatment on blood glucose control cannot be excluded.