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Skeletal and hormonal responses to vitamin D supplementation during sunlight deprivation in Antarctic expeditioners

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Abstract

Summary

Sunlight deprivation results in vitamin D deficiency but serum vitamin D levels can be maintained above 50nmol/L when supplemented with 50,000IU at least every alternate month.

Introduction

Antarctic expeditioners are exposed to prolonged sunlight deprivation resulting in vitamin D deficiency. We hypothesised that monthly dosing of 50,000 IU vitamin D (~1,600 IU daily) will increase serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), suppress parathyroid hormone (PTH) and improve bone mineral density (BMD), 50,000 IU alternate months (~800 IU daily) will maintain these measures, while a single 50,000 IU dose pre-departure (~1,00 IU daily) will not be protective.

Methods

This was a randomised double-blind study involving 110 healthy adults: 91 males, mean age 41 years (range 24–65 years) working in Antarctica for up to 12 months, who we administered 50,000 IU vitamin D3 monthly, alternate months or a single dose pre-departure. Serum 25(OH)D, PTH, osteocalcin, CTx and calcium were assessed at baseline, mid- and end of expedition. Proximal femur and lumbar spine BMD were assessed pre- and post-expedition.

Results

Baseline 25(OH)D was 59 ± 14 nmol/L. By mid-expedition, 25(OH)D increased by 7 nmol/L in those supplemented monthly (p < 0.05) and remained unchanged in those supplemented in alternate months. In those given a single dose pre-departure, 25(OH)D decreased by 8 nmol/L (p < 0.05) and PTH increased by 27% (p < 0.09). Serum osteocalcin increased by ~22% in all groups but BMD remained unchanged. If serum 25(OH)D was >50 nmol/L at baseline, 25(OH)D was maintained above this level with all regimens. If 25(OH)D was <50 nmol/L at baseline, monthly or alternate month regimens were needed to achieve levels >50 nmol/L, the single pre-departure dose was ineffective.

Conclusion

During sunlight deprivation of up to 12 months, serum 25(OH)D levels can be maintained above 50 nmol/L when expeditioners are provided with 50,000 I U at least every alternate month.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the expeditioners for their involvement in the study, the station medical officers for their invaluable contribution to the day-to-day running of the trial, to the staff at the Australian Antarctic Division for their behind-the-scene and in-kind support and staff at the Menzies research Institute for conducting BMD measurements. This study was supported by grants from the Trans-Antarctic Association and the Austin Hospital Medical Research Foundation.

Conflicts of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia

    S. Iuliano-Burns, K. King, S. Macleod & E. Seeman

  2. Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston, Australia

    J. Ayton & S. Hillam

  3. University of Tasmania, Menzies Research Institute, Hobart, Australia

    G. Jones

Authors
  1. S. Iuliano-Burns
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  2. J. Ayton
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  3. S. Hillam
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  4. G. Jones
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  5. K. King
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  6. S. Macleod
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  7. E. Seeman
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Iuliano-Burns.

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Iuliano-Burns, S., Ayton, J., Hillam, S. et al. Skeletal and hormonal responses to vitamin D supplementation during sunlight deprivation in Antarctic expeditioners. Osteoporos Int 23, 2461–2467 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-011-1858-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-011-1858-9

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