Vitamin D Supplementation and Sunlight Exposure in Brazilian Women Living in Opposite Latitudes (The D-SOL Study)

There is a consensus that vitamin D deficiency is a public health issue because of its implications in several diseases including, osteopenia, osteomalacia, heart disease, diabetes (type I and II), inflammatory diseases, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Studies in sunny countries have shown that vitamin D deficiency is a common phenomenon, despite the abundance of sunlight in these places, which shows the influence of diet, skin pigmentation, cultural habits and also genetic factors on the metabolism of this vitamin. Thus, the study hypothesis is that vitamin D supplementation is required to obtain the optimal serum concentration in Brazilian people living both in Brazil and in the United Kingdom and that this response is dependent on the initial levels, being influenced by sunlight exposure, skin pigmentation, diet and polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor gene. Two controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical trials were held (one in the UK and the other in Brazil) over a period of 12 weeks, with female subjects, Brazilian, aged 20 to 59 years. The women selected were divided into two groups: Placebo Group and Supplemented Group, the latter received vitamin D 600 IU. After the analysis of the effect of vitamin D supplementation compared to placebo, the investigators propose to analyse genome-wide transcriptomic expression in order to associate specific signal transduction and metabolic pathways to respective vitamin D responses. and a genetic risk score based on polymorphisms will be constructed. The 'systems level' approach will enable us to identify differences in gene expression and whether this explains why some individuals are 'good' responders or 'poor' responders to vitamin D supplementation. This is the first study that will examine two population groups of the same ethnic group and sex, living in different countries, with identical design studies. Our results first will determine how important supplementation and exposure to sunlight are for the serum level of vitamin D by comparing directly, using the same methodology, people living in different latitudes, as well as the genetic influence on the response to supplementation. The data will also provide both countries key data about the need to reconsider new revisions to dietary recommendations for vitamin D in adults.

During this study the subjects were asked to visit the Clinical Investigation Unit, FHMS, University of Surrey in the UK or the Research Clinic, Faculty of Nutrition, Federal University of Goiás in Brazil, on two occasions, at the beginning of the study for baseline measurements and at the conclusion of the study. The investigators examined four to eight fasted subjects per study morning. Trial visits lasted approximately 45-60 minutes each and took place in the morning (7am-11am). Participants were offered refreshments at the end of their appointment.

If participants wished to be screened for participation in the study, they would receive the Participant Information Sheet and then be checked against the study inclusion and exclusion criteria using a 'Screening Questionnaire' , administered by a member of the D-SOL Research Team by phone or self-reported by email.

Baseline visit:

If eligible, participants were invited for the baseline visit. At this visit, they were first given time to discuss the Participant Information Sheet and any questions they may have regarding the study. Informed consent was discussed and participants were asked to sign the consent form, and offered a copy to keep for themselves.

Baseline procedures:

* Health and Lifestyle questionnaire administered by a member of the D-SOL Research Team.
* Anthropometrics and blood pressure measured, and fasted blood sample taken (serum 25OHD levels, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D, serum calcium, albumin, parathyroid hormone, C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) ≈25ml) with an additional ≈10 ml for genetic profiling and ≈15 for storage for future measurements of nutritional markers.
* pQCT scan of the non-dominant forearm (UK trial) or dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan (Brazil trial).
* Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) for body composition.
* Provision of randomly assigned daily supplement (30 days' supply), food diaries and sunlight dosimeters and sunlight exposure diary to be returned at 12 week visit. Follow-up appointment details arranged.

Final visit

* Final adverse event/compliance interview completed with investigator.
* Daily outdoor exposure diary, food diary and sunlight dosimeter received from participant and checked for consistency at visit.
* Anthropometrics and blood pressure measured, and blood sample taken (serum 25OHD levels, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D, serum calcium, albumin, parathyroid hormone, C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) ≈25ml) with an additional ≈10 ml for genetic profiling and ≈15 for storage for future measurements of nutritional markers.
* Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) for body composition.

DNA profiling procedure - After 12 weeks: Selection of participant samples encompassing the best and worst supplementation-responders in each group, subject to previous consent form singed by participant. Vitamin D related genes will be genotyped in DNA isolated from the study blood samples, DNA will be extracted and vitamin D polymorphisms will be determined by University of Surrey's genetic labs.

A trained phlebotomist took the blood samples required as part of the trial protocol. Medical cover was available at all times.

Throughout the duration of the trial, the participants were contacted via telephone on a fortnightly basis to discuss any issues with any adverse event and compliance and to maintain good communication with the participants. In the case of a serious adverse event (SAE) this would be recorded and reported it to both the Sponsor (University of Surrey) and the Surrey Ethics Committee.

The final interview was completed at the final study visit. Participants have also been asked to return any supplements that were missed to confirm compliance.

For University of Surrey participants: A peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) scan was performed on the participant's non-dominant forearm at the baseline visit, to measure volumetric bone mineral density at the 4% and 66% radial site. This will allow for separate measurements of trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and trabecular area (4% site) and cortical vBMD and cortical area (66% site), as well as strength strain index, a measure of bone strength. pQCT also measures bone geometry alongside bone density. Therefore the muscle cross sectional area can be determined, which is a measure of muscle force, to which bone strength is adapted to. One scan was performed at baseline only and effective exposure doses were between \~1.5-1.8uSv.

For Federal University of Goiás participants: Body composition (absolute and relative amount of lean and fat mass), whole body mineral density and lower spine and femur bone mineral density was measured with the use of DEXA (located at the Nutrition Clinic based at the Federal University of Goiás), at baseline only. Two scans were performed at baseline for each participant: one to assess the whole body mineral density and body composition, and the other to specifically assess fracture risk by scanning the spine and femoral head. Effective exposure doses for theses scans are \~8uSv and \~4uSv respectively.

Results of the body composition, vitamin D status and dietary intake from the self-reported food diaries will be made available to the subjects upon request. The results from the blood analysis will be reported to the subject if there are any health concerns raised. If the results are within healthy ranges the participants will not be contacted unless they specifically request for this information. The investigators will not be contacting their general practitioner (GP) if there are any concerns raised in the study however the investigators will stress that they should contact their GP themselves to discuss the results.

The trial was conducted in compliance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki (2008), the principles of Good Clinical Practice and in accordance with The Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004 and Amended Regulations 2006.

Detailed protocol and supporting documents were submitted for review by the University of Surrey Ethics Committee and the Federal University of Goiás, Brazil. The study received favourable ethical opinion from both Committees prior to commencing the study. Annual progress reports and a final report will be submitted to the ethics committees as defined in their respective regulations.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

Brazilian nationality Living in the UK or in Brazil for more than 2 months

Exclusion Criteria:

* Currently receiving treatment for medical conditions that are likely to affect vitamin D metabolism ( osteoporosis therapy, anti-estrogens treatment, antiepileptic drugs, breast-cancer treatment)
* Hypercalcaemia (\>2.5mmol/L) - assessed and excluded at baseline
* Regular use of sun-beds
* Having a holiday trip for more than 4 weeks, one month prior to commencing the study or plans for a holiday trip out of the country of residence within the study period.
* Use of vitamin supplements containing vitamin D (if the prospective participants agrees to stop Vitamin D supplementation to join the study, a wash-out period of 8 weeks prior to commencing the trial would be acceptable).
* Pregnant or planning a pregnancy during the study period.