Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The vitamin D hormone system has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases, including Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, as an adaptive immune system modulator.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to examine the role of cholecalciferol in modulating the altered immune response in T1DM, thereby improving glycemic control and residual pancreatic Beta-cell function, measured objectively by Haemoglobin A1c levels, GAD65 antibody titres and C-peptide levels.

Method: Fifty two T1DM patients aged 1-18 years attending JIPMER Pediatrics department in year 2014 were randomised into two groups. High dose oral cholecalciferol therapy (1.2 lakh IU per month) was instituted in addition to insulin in intervention arm, while only insulin was continued in other arm for 6 months.

Results: Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency was as high as 63.5% among T1DM patients in our study. The Cholecalciferol group achieved significantly lower HbA1c levels at 3 and 6 months follow-up than controls (P<0.05). The mean C-peptide levels were significantly greater (P<0.05) in cholecalciferol group as compared to controls at end of 6 months. Significant difference in GAD65 antibody levels was not found between the groups at the end of 6 months. No adverse events due to cholecalciferol therapy were reported.

Conclusions: Our study shows that high dose oral Cholecalciferol concomitant with insulin therapy is safe and is related to slow decline of residual Beta-cell function in T1DM patients, thereby enhancing glycemic control. An affordable, safe and easily obtainable vitamin may serve as a novel approach in the fight against a costly, debilitating, chronic disease.