SUPLEMENTACIÓN CON DOSIS INTERMITENTES DE VITAMINA D3 EN VOLUNTARIOS DE LA CAMPAÑA ANTÁRTICA 2008

BRITO G; FERRO MV; MENDEZ NAVARRO CM; GUERRERO L; M.S. PARISI; J SOMOZA; MAUTALEN CA; OLIVERI B

Córdoba

Congreso; Reunión Anual Asociación Argentina de Metabolismo Mineral y öseo; 2010

AAOMM

Hypovitaminosis D is a major worldwide public health problem. Individuals may have adequate vitamin D levels for optimal health throughout their entire life. Previous studies showed that 25 hydroxyvitamin D(25OHD) levels of healthy men living in Antarctica for 1 year decreased by ~46%, reaching minimum levels between 10-15 ng/ml of 25 OHD in subjects on different Antarctica bases (Oliveri B. et al. EJCN 1994)(Oliveri B. et al EJCN 1999), and failed to increase even after the onset of summer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intermittent vitamin D3 supplementation to attain and maintain adequate 25OHD levels during the 2008 Antarctica campaign. Twelve healthy volunteers aged (X±SD) 33.7 ± 5.6 years, BMI: 28.0 ± 4.6 kg/m2, left Buenos Aires (BA) (latitude 34°south) in December 2007, arriving on Orcadas Base (latitude 60°south) in January 2008, where they stayed for one year and returned to BA in February 2009. All the participants signed an informed consent form prior to the study. Fasting blood samples were collected in BA (at baseline and on return) and four times during their stay in Antarctica (March, June, September, and December) to perform calcium, phosphate, total alkaline phosphatase (AP), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and 25OHD determinations. The study population was divided into two groups according to supplementation regimen: Group 1 (n=6) received a D3 dose of 100.000 IU monthly from March to August 2008. Group 2 (n=6) received a D3 dose of 200.000 IU every two months from March to July; samples were collected prior to D3 administration. Calcium, phosphate, AP, and BAP values remained within normal range without significant variations throughout the Antarctic Campaign. 25OHD patterns were similar in both supplementation regimens. The average 25OHD levels corresponding to the entire population are shown in figure 1. Conclusion:Both supplementation regimens were effective in attaining 25OHD levels similar to those observed in BA in summer, and maintaining them until September 2008. Thus, we suggest administering a new dose in September.