The effects of vitamin D plus calcium supplementation on metabolic profiles, biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia
Authors: M Karamali
F Bahmani
Z Asemi
M Samimi
H R Talari
A Esmaillzadeh
M Kashi
F Foroozanfard
Y Hamidian
Journal: Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics (2016)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: calcium; pre-eclampsia; pregnancy outcomes; supplementation; vitamin D.
Affiliations: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics; School of Medicine; Kashan University of Medical Sciences; Kashan Iran, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics; School of Medicine; Iran University of Medical Sciences; Tehran Iran, Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases; Kashan University of Medical Sciences; Kashan Iran, Department of Radiology; Kashan University of Medical Sciences; Kashan Iran, Food Security Research Center; Isfahan University of Medical Sciences; Isfahan Iran

Abstract:  Background: The present study was designed to examine the effects of vitamin D plus calcium administration on metabolic profiles and pregnancy outcomes among women at risk for pre-eclampsia. Methods: In a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 60 women at risk for pre-eclampsia were randomised to take either 50 000 IU vitamin D3 every 2 weeks plus 1000 mg day(-1) calcium supplements (as calcium carbonate) (n = 30) or to receive placebos at the same times (n = 30) from 20 to 32 weeks of gestation. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and 12 weeks after intervention to determine related variables. Newborn anthropometric measurements were determined. Results: Taking combined cholecalciferol and calcium supplements, compared to placebo, led to significant reductions in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) [mean (SD)] [-5.7 (5.5) versus -0.6 (12.6) mg dL(-1) , P = 0.04], serum insulin concentrations [-2.8 (6.0) versus +7.7 (9.8) μIU mL(-1) , P &lt; 0.001], homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance [-0.8 (1.3) versus +1.6 (2.2), P &lt; 0.001], homeostatic model assessment-beta cell function [-8.2 (25.8) versus +32.6 (41.3, P &lt; 0.001] and a significant rise in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index score [+0.02 (0.02) versus -0.02 (0.02, P &lt; 0.001]. Additionally, pregnant women who received cholecalciferol plus calcium supplements had increased serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol [+4.6 (8.3) versus -2.9 (7.7) mg dL(-1) , P = 0.001] and plasma total glutathione (GSH) concentrations [+23.4 (124.0) versus -94.8 (130.2) μm, P = 0.001] compared to placebo. However, after adjustment for the baseline levels, maternal age and baseline body mass index, the effects on FPG levels (P = 0.13) and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.13) disappeared. Conclusions: Vitamin D plus calcium administration for 12 weeks had beneficial effects on glycaemic status, HDL-cholesterol, GSH and blood pressure among women at risk for pre-eclampsia. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 There are many concerns about the integrity of 172 publications by this research group, including this one. Some of the concerns are published 1. Anaesthesia 2020;75:1683u201392, see Supplementary data. This paper is A75 2. Account Res 2020;28:149-61. 3. J Clin Epidemiol 2021;131:22-29. Journals and publishers were notified of these concerns in July 2019. 23 publications have an expression of concern. To our knowledge there has been no public response about any of the concerns. We think these publications are unreliable ,