CALCIDIOL SUPPLEMENTATION IS ASSOCIATED TO IMPROVEMENT OF LIPID PROFILE IN ATORVASTATIN TREATED POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN.

Strong cross-sectional associations between higher 25-OH vitaminD (25(OH)D) and lower total cholesterol, lower LDL cholesterol, higher HDL cholesterol and lower triglycerides have been reported; moreover lower 25(OH)D levels have been associated with poorer response to atorvastatin. Few data are available on modifications of serum lipids obtained by improving the vitamin D status in statin treated subjects. To address this issue we aimed to test the effects of administering oral calcidiol on lipid profile in women assuming atorvastatin. Thirty postmenopausal osteopenic women (mean age 58.26±7.48 years) at low risk of fracture and with 25(OH)D serum levels <75nmol/L were included in this research if they were assuming a stabilized (at least 6 months) therapy with atorvastatin (at a dose of 20 or 40 mg as appropriate) because of type II hyperlipoproteinemia. Recruited women received a weekly dose of calcidiol (125 μg) over a period of 24 weeks. At baseline, a negative correlation was found between 25(OH)D and total cholesterol (r=-0.46; p=0.009) and LDL-C (r=-0.5; p=0.003). In comparison to baseline, after 24 weeks a significant increase of mean serum 25(OH)D levels (<0.0001) and an improvement of lipid profile were observed. A significant reduction of LDL-C (p=0.01) and an increase of HDL-C (p=0.02) were detected. Percent changes in 25(OH)D levels were found to correlate with the variations of LDL-C (r=-0.41; p=0.02). Women taking atorvastain at a dose of 40mg/day (n=8/30) did not report any significant findings in comparison with women taking 20 mg/day as to 25(OH)D and lipid levels. Calcidiol administration in osteopenic and dislipidemic postmenopausal women with low 25(OH)D serum improved lipid profile when added to an ongoing atorvastatin treatment. These data could have clinical implications.