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Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Exercise Adaptations in Patients on Statin Therapy

Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Exercise Adaptations in Patients on Statin Therapy

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02030041
Enrollment
33
Registered
2014-01-08
Start date
2013-12-31
Completion date
2015-12-31
Last updated
2017-03-31

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Dyslipidemias

Keywords

simvastatin, cardiorespiratory fitness, vitamin D, exercise, mitochondria

Brief summary

Statins along with lifestyle modifications including exercise are commonly prescribed to patients with type 2 diabetes. American diabetes association recommends using moderate-intensity statin and lifestyle therapy for patients with diabetes aged ≥40 years, even without additional cardiovascular disease(CVD) risk factors.. Myopathy is a well known adverse effect of statins, which occurs in 1-7% of patients. The spectrum of statin-related myopathy ranges from common benign myalgia to rare but life threatening rhabdomyolysis. Being lipophilic, simvastatin diffuses nonselectively into extrahepatic tissues such as muscle, leading to higher incidence of myopathy among statin users. In addition, simvastatin attenuates the exercise-induced increase in cardiorespiratory fitness, and reduces the skeletal muscle mitochondrial content and oxidative capacity in humans. Impaired cardiorespiratory fitness and mitochondrial function is possibly due to reduction in Coenzyme Q10, which is a component of the electron transport chain and is indispensable for generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) during oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria. Statins or hydroxyl-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMA CoA) reductase inhibitors interfere with the production of mevalonic acid, which is a precursor in the synthesis of coenzyme Q10. Mitochondrial dysfunction has also been reported in vitamin D deficient individuals which has been attributed to intra-mitochondrial calcium deficiency or deficient enzyme function of the oxidative pathway ( by direct effect of vitamin D on enzyme gene or protein expression). Thus, vitamin D may improve the statin-mediated changes in cardiorespiratory fitness and mitochondrial function by improving the enzymatic machinery involved in oxidative phosphorylation which is blocked by statin. This study is being done to look for the effect of vitamin D supplementation on simvastatin-mediated change in exercise-mediated cardiorespiratory fitness and skeletal muscle mitochondrial content in adults with type 2 diabetes

Detailed description

Statins, a class of hydroxyl methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors that lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, are commonly prescribed to patients with the metabolic syndrome or those with multiple cardiovascular disease risk factors when lifestyle changes fail to achieve LDL targets to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease morbidity and mortality. American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends moderate intensity statin for patients with diabetes without additional CVD risk factors aged \>40.Statins are widely prescribed in combination with exercise to lower risk of cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. Every 1millimole per liter reduction in LDL is associated with a 10-20% reduction in risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality, while every 1 Metabolic equivalent \[MET\] (3.5 milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute) increase in fitness is associated with an 18% reduction in cardiovascular disease mortality and an 11-50% reduction in all-cause mortality.Statins are generally safe, but myotoxicity, including fatal rhabdomyolysis can occur. Although severe muscle-related side effects occur in \<0.1% of statin users, less severe symptoms, such as myalgia and muscle cramps, occur in 1-7% of users. The mechanisms mediating statin myopathy are unclear, but possibilities include decreased sarcolemmal or endoplasmic reticulum cholesterol, reduced production of prenylated proteins including the mitochondrial electron transport protein coenzyme Q10, reduced fat catabolism, increased myocellular concentrations of cholesterol and plant sterols, failure to repair damaged skeletal muscle, vitamin D deficiency, and inflammation. Increasingly, interest has focused on altered cellular energy use and mitochondrial dysfunction, with the dysfunction activating pathways leading to muscle atrophy. Although the mechanisms are poorly understood, some statins (simvastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin) have been shown to reduce skeletal muscle mitochondrial content and oxidative capacity in humans. Sirvent et al evaluated the mitochondrial function and calcium signaling in muscles of patients treated with statins, who present or not muscle symptoms, by oxygraphy and recording of calcium sparks, respectively. Patients treated with statins showed impairment of mitochondrial respiration that involved mainly the complex I of the respiratory chain and altered frequency and amplitude of calcium sparks. The muscle problems observed in statin-treated patients appear thus to be related to impairment of mitochondrial function and muscle calcium homeostasis. Mikus et al examined the effects of simvastatin on changes in cardiorespiratory fitness and skeletal muscle mitochondrial content in response to aerobic exercise training. The primary outcomes were cardiorespiratory fitness and skeletal muscle (vastus lateralis) mitochondrial content (citrate synthase enzyme activity). Thirty-seven participants (exercise plus statins; n=18; exercise only; n=19) completed the study. Cardiorespiratory fitness increased by 10% (P\<0.05) in response to exercise training alone, but was blunted by the addition of simvastatin resulting in only a 1.5% increase (P\<0.005 for group by time interaction). Similarly, skeletal muscle citrate synthase activity increased by 13% in the exercise only group (P \<0.05), but decreased by 4.5% in the simvastatin plus exercise group (P\<0.05 ) Impaired cardiorespiratory fitness and mitochondrial function is possibly due to reduction in Coenzyme Q10, which is a component of the electron transport chain and is indispensable for generation of ATP during oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria. Statins or hydroxyl-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMA CoA) reductase inhibitors interfere with the production of mevalonic acid, which is a precursor in the synthesis of coenzyme Q10. Mitochondrial dysfunction has also been reported in vitamin D deficient individuals which has been attributed to intra-mitochondrial calcium deficiency or deficient enzyme function of the oxidative pathway ( by direct effect of vitamin D on enzyme gene or protein expression). Mukherjee et al conducted a study in which chicks were raised for 3 to 4 weeks either on a normal (vitamin D supplemented) or a rachitogenic diet. The Ca2+ content of the serum, heart tissue and heart mitochondria was significantly decreased in chicks raised on a rachitogenic diet. In mitochondria isolated from calcium deficient hearts, the rate of adenosine diphosphate induced state 3 respiration and 2,4-Dinitrophenol uncoupled respiration were significantly decreased.When vitamin D deficient chicks were orally dosed with vitamin D3, serum calcium level and state 3 respiration rate returned to normal indicating that the above changes are reversible In a longitudinal study, the effects of cholecalciferol therapy on skeletal mitochondrial oxidative function in vitamin D deficient subjects using 31Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy were examined.The phosphocreatine recovery half-time (t1/2PCr) was significantly reduced after cholecalciferol therapy in the subjects indicating an improvement in maximal oxidative phosphorylation (34.44 ±8.18 sec to 27.84 ±9.54 sec, P \<.001). Thus, vitamin D may improve the statin-mediated changes in cardiorespiratory fitness and mitochondrial function by improving the enzymatic machinery involved in oxidative phosphorylation which is blocked by statin. Another proposed mechanism of interaction between statin and vitamin D is inhibition of CYP3A4 by statins, which displays 25-hydroxylase activity in vitro. Vitamin D deficiency leads to 'preferential shunting' of CYP3A4 for hydroxylation of vitamin D, thus decreasing the availability of CYP3A4 for statin metabolism leading to statin-induced toxicity. This study describes the effect of vitamin D supplementation on simvastatin-mediated change in exercise-mediated cardiorespiratory fitness and skeletal muscle mitochondrial content in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Interventions

DRUGPlacebo

Placebo will be provided to the study participants

DRUGVitamin D

Vitamin D will be given to achieve normal serum levels

DRUGSimvastatin

Simvastatin in a dose of 40 mg will be provided to the study participants

Sponsors

Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Caregiver)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
25 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus * No significant microvascular complication * Age between 25 and 50 yrs * HbA1c\<7.5% * LDL-C between 100 to 130mg/dl * Overweight or obese (BMI 25 -39 kg/m2) * Low physical activity(WHO-GPAQ) * Euthyroid , Eugonadal * Vitamin D deficient (\<20 ng/ml) * Normal ECG

Exclusion criteria

* Use of statins in past 3 months * Use of Thiazolidinediones, Glucagon like peptide -1agonists, Dipeptidyl Peptidase -IV inhibitors, steroids, orlistat or other medicines affecting lipid profile or body weight * Smoking * On Vitamin D supplementation * Uncontrolled DM with HbA1c\>7.5 * Uncontrolled hypertension * Significant microvascular complication of DM * Macrovascular disease * Musculoskeletal problems resulting in inability to exercise * Pregnancy

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Peak Oxygen ConsumptionTwelve weeksPeak oxygen consumption( VO2peak) is defined as the highest rate at which oxygen can be taken up and utilized by the body during severe exercise. The participants were encouraged to exercise to exhaustion with progressive 2-minutes increments in the power output during the test. VO2peak was obtained when participants reached volitional exhaustion and met at least one of the following criteria: plateau in oxygen consumption despite increase in workload, rating of perceived exertion \>18, Respiratory exchange ratio \> 1.10 and peak heart rate within 10 beats of age predicted maximum. . As VO2peak (expressed as liters of oxygen consumed per minute) is also dependent on age, sex, and body size, it was expressed as percentage of the predicted value(VO2peak%).
Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial ContentTwelve weeksSkeletal muscle citrate synthase activity is a validated marker of mitochondrial content. Skeletal muscle biopsy was obtained from vastus lateralis muscle of five patients in either groups before and after the intervention. Under aseptic conditions, samples were taken in protease inhibitor cocktail and stored at -80ºC. Mitochondrial citrate synthase activity (the working range of the kit was 1.56-100 µg/mL, with intra and inter assay CV of 4.35-6.55 % and 8.3 % respectively) was measured using ELISA Kit (Abcam, Cambridge, UK) as per manufacturer's instructions.Skeletal muscle citrate synthase activity is a validated marker of mitochondrial content.

Countries

India

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Simvastatin and Placebo
Participants took simvastatin 40 mg once daily and performed exercise for 12 weeks
9
Simvastatin and Vitamin D
Participants took simvastatin 40 mg once daily and vitamin D 60,000 units once weekly, and performed exercise for 12 weeks
9
Vitamin D and Placebo
Participants took vitamin D 60000 units once weekly and performed exercise for 12 weeks
10
Total28

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001FG002
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject221

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicSimvastatin and PlaceboSimvastatin and Vitamin DVitamin D and PlaceboTotal
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
9 Participants9 Participants10 Participants28 Participants
Body mass index(BMI)27.9 kg/m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.4
28.1 kg/m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.5
27.4 kg/m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.2
27.8 kg/m2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.4
Fasting plasma Insulin13.6 microIU/ml
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.3
12.1 microIU/ml
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5
13.2 microIU/ml
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.5
13.1 microIU/ml
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.2
HbA1c6.9 %
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.4
6.9 %
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.5
6.9 %
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.5
6.9 %
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.5
Low density Cholesterol (LDL-C)117.4 mg/dl
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.4
116.4 mg/dl
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.4
112 mg/dl
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.8
115.2 mg/dl
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.3
Peak oxygen consumption percentage of predicted value (VO2peak%)52.2 %
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.8
52.2 %
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.9
46.4 %
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.6
50.1 %
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.2
Peak oxygen consumption(VO2peak)1.33 L/min
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.5
1.13 L/min
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.4
1.1 L/min
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.2
1.2 L/min
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.4
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Asian Indian
9 participants9 participants10 participants28 participants
Region of Enrollment
India
9 participants9 participants10 participants28 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
1 Participants3 Participants1 Participants5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
8 Participants6 Participants9 Participants23 Participants
Skeletal muscle citrate synthase activity0.0051 change in mOD/min at 412nm
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.0001
0.0042 change in mOD/min at 412nm
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.0019
0.0043 change in mOD/min at 412nm
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.0017
0.0046 change in mOD/min at 412nm
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.0013

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —— / —— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
2 / 91 / 90 / 10
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 90 / 90 / 10

Outcome results

Primary

Peak Oxygen Consumption

Peak oxygen consumption( VO2peak) is defined as the highest rate at which oxygen can be taken up and utilized by the body during severe exercise. The participants were encouraged to exercise to exhaustion with progressive 2-minutes increments in the power output during the test. VO2peak was obtained when participants reached volitional exhaustion and met at least one of the following criteria: plateau in oxygen consumption despite increase in workload, rating of perceived exertion \>18, Respiratory exchange ratio \> 1.10 and peak heart rate within 10 beats of age predicted maximum. . As VO2peak (expressed as liters of oxygen consumed per minute) is also dependent on age, sex, and body size, it was expressed as percentage of the predicted value(VO2peak%).

Time frame: Twelve weeks

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Simvastatin and PlaceboPeak Oxygen Consumption43.8 percentage of predicted valueStandard Deviation 7.3
Simvastatin and Vitamin DPeak Oxygen Consumption51.6 percentage of predicted valueStandard Deviation 10.5
Vitamin D and PlaceboPeak Oxygen Consumption53.5 percentage of predicted valueStandard Deviation 10.4
Primary

Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Content

Skeletal muscle citrate synthase activity is a validated marker of mitochondrial content. Skeletal muscle biopsy was obtained from vastus lateralis muscle of five patients in either groups before and after the intervention. Under aseptic conditions, samples were taken in protease inhibitor cocktail and stored at -80ºC. Mitochondrial citrate synthase activity (the working range of the kit was 1.56-100 µg/mL, with intra and inter assay CV of 4.35-6.55 % and 8.3 % respectively) was measured using ELISA Kit (Abcam, Cambridge, UK) as per manufacturer's instructions.Skeletal muscle citrate synthase activity is a validated marker of mitochondrial content.

Time frame: Twelve weeks

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Simvastatin and PlaceboSkeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Content0.005 change in mOD/min at 412nmStandard Deviation 0.0007
Simvastatin and Vitamin DSkeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Content0.005 change in mOD/min at 412nmStandard Deviation 0.0001
Vitamin D and PlaceboSkeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Content0.0052 change in mOD/min at 412nmStandard Deviation 0.0001

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026