Vitamin D

The NeuroVitD study focuses on adults with neurological disorders causing motor disabilities, such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury. Researchers aim to assess vitamin D insufficiency in these populations and evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on structural and functional health parameters. The study will provide important epidemiological data to help develop vitamin D guidelines for neurological conditions, addressing a current lack of data in this area. Participants will receive one of two vitamin D supplementation plans either 50,000 I.U. weekly for 8 weeks or 25,000 I.U. weekly for 4 weeks followed by 10,000 I.U. drops weekly for an additional 4 weeks. A control group with sufficient vitamin D levels will not receive supplementation. Alongside vitamin D levels, the study will measure bone density, body composition, strength, walking speed, physical performance, pain, and biochemical markers such as calcium, parathyroid hormone, and phosphorus. Participants will be inpatients undergoing usual rehabilitation care and will be evaluated at the start and end of the study period of up to two years. Researchers will collect comprehensive data including demographic, lifestyle, and biochemical assessments, using tools like DXA scans, hand dynamometers, walking tests, and pain scales. The primary outcome is the number of participants with low vitamin D levels. Secondary outcomes include improvements in structural and functional parameters with supplementation. Safety and tolerance of vitamin D will also be monitored throughout the study.

This research aims to study and treat individuals with various bone and mineral disorders at the NIH Clinical Center. It provides an opportunity to collect bone specimens for research and to increase knowledge of skeletal diseases, supporting further studies in bone biology. Participants include those with both common and rare bone and mineral metabolism disorders, with evaluations tailored to each diagnosis. Participants receive standard care evaluations and treatments for their bone conditions, without experimental procedures. Assessments include medical history, physical exams, blood and urine tests, and imaging such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, bone densitometry, and bone scans. Bone samples may be collected during planned surgeries or through bone biopsies as part of participant evaluation. Throughout the study, participants undergo medical assessments and specimen collection at times specific to their diagnosis. Researchers analyze clinical and research specimens, including genetic and biochemical evaluations of surgical waste materials. The study also aims to create a database of participant information and biological samples to support future research. Participation duration and specific procedures vary by individual needs.

This research aims to explore whether a womans vitamin D level on the day of her frozen embryo transfer FET affects pregnancy and delivery outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization IVF in the United Arab Emirates UAE. Given the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the region and mixed evidence from previous studies, this study seeks to clarify the relationship between vitamin D status and reproductive success specifically in FET cycles. Participants will be women aged 18 to 40 years with a body mass index BMI between 18 and 40 kgm undergoing FET at a UAE fertility center. Eligible women must have had their serum vitamin D levels measured within three months before FET. Those with deficient vitamin D levels below 30 ngmL are required to have received supplementation prior to FET. This is an observational cohort study with no intervention, where vitamin D levels and supplementation history are recorded. During the study, participants vitamin D levels will be measured on the day of FET, and pregnancy outcomes will be tracked, including clinical pregnancy within one month post-FET and live birth, miscarriage, and preterm birth rates up to six weeks after delivery. Clinical data and patient questionnaires will gather relevant information. The study spans from screening through pregnancy outcome follow-up, with detailed monitoring to assess the impact of vitamin D status on fertility treatment results.

Researchers are investigating the effects of sweet almonds on healing femur and tibia shaft fractures compared to routine vitamin D3 supplements. This study addresses the need for an affordable and safe alternative to bone-strengthening drugs, which often cause side effects and are costly. The trial focuses on patients with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency, assessing the potential of almonds to improve bone healing and vitamin D levels in the blood. The trial is a single-center, open-label, crossover randomized controlled study involving 136 participants aged 18 to 55 with trauma-related femur and tibia shaft fractures. Participants are divided into two groups based on their vitamin D levels and receive treatments including daily whole almonds 5 gramsday and weekly oral vitamin D3 200,000 units in various sequences with washout periods. Group 1 includes vitamin D insufficient patients receiving almonds and vitamin D3 in a crossover design, while Group 2 includes vitamin D deficient patients receiving vitamin D3 alone, almonds alone, or a combination followed by crossover treatments. Participants undergo follow-up visits at 4 and 13 weeks post-treatment, where fracture healing is monitored through routine X-rays and Radiological Union Score for Tibial fractures RUST. Safety is closely assessed, with adverse events recorded and managed according to international guidelines. The study also tracks treatment adherence with daily diaries and compares costs and changes in blood vitamin D levels. Patients may withdraw at any time without losing their rights, and the study will be completed within 24 months including a close-out period.

This research focuses on understanding the effects of sleeve gastrectomy, a popular weight loss surgery, on bone and muscle health in adults with obesity. It compares changes in bone mineral density and muscle mass over three years among men, premenopausal women, and postmenopausal women who undergo the surgery, against similar individuals who do not have the surgery. The study aims to assess the risks of bone loss and muscle strength reduction that may occur after this procedure, which is important given concerns about fractures and falls following older types of bariatric surgeries. Participants are divided into four groups men, premenopausal women, postmenopausal women undergoing sleeve gastrectomy, and a non-surgical group of obese individuals. The study observes changes in spine and femur bone density using quantitative computed tomography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, alongside assessments of muscle mass, quality, and strength. Measurements are taken before surgery, then one year and three years after surgery, to track progress and compare results between surgical and non-surgical groups. Throughout the study, participants will undergo scans and tests to measure bone density and muscle condition, including physical performance evaluations that predict risk of falls and fractures. These assessments are planned at baseline, 1 year, and 3 years after surgery. Researchers monitor changes over time to understand the long-term impact of sleeve gastrectomy on bone and muscle health. The total participation time spans three years, with ongoing evaluation of outcomes related to bone mineral density and muscle mass at specific skeletal sites.

Researchers are studying the effects of sleeve gastrectomy, a popular weight loss surgery, on bone health in adults with type 2 diabetes. The study aims to see how this surgery impacts volumetric bone mineral density vBMD and to compare these effects with those in obese patients without diabetes and overweight individuals without diabetes or obesity. The goal is to understand how diabetes and bariatric surgery together affect bone strength over time. The study is observational and includes two groups 70 adults with obesity undergoing sleeve gastrectomy, some with type 2 diabetes and some without, and 30 overweight adults without diabetes serving as controls. Participants in the surgery group are evaluated before surgery and again at 4 months, 8 months, 1 year, and 3 years after the procedure. The control group is assessed once. The main treatment studied is the sleeve gastrectomy surgery, and its impact on bone and metabolic health is monitored. Participants will undergo various tests and assessments including quantitative computed tomography QCT scans to measure bone density at the spine, hip, tibia, and radius before surgery and during follow-up visits. Blood tests will track bone turnover markers, glucose control, and hormone levels. Body composition, muscle strength, physical activity, nutrition, and gut microbiota will also be measured at multiple timepoints. Researchers will monitor changes over three years to evaluate long-term bone health and related factors in this population.

This research aims to study women with epilepsy WWE who are of childbearing age, focusing on how managing bone health can improve pregnancy outcomes. The study seeks to establish evidence-based vitamin D supplementation strategies for these women, addressing the challenges of epilepsy management during pregnancy. Epilepsy affects a significant number of women in this age group, making optimal bone metabolism care an important part of their obstetric treatment. Participants in the study are divided into two groups one group receives daily supplementation of calcium and vitamin D according to their early pregnancy vitamin D levels, while the other group receives standard care without intervention. Vitamin D levels are assessed between 10 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. Supplement doses vary depending on vitamin D status, ranging from 500 IU to 1300 IU daily, combined with a consistent 725 mg of calcium. Throughout the pregnancy, researchers monitor bone metabolism indicators in both the mothers and their offspring at various times, including early pregnancy, delivery, and postnatal periods. Secondary outcomes include live birth rates without major congenital malformations and maternal bone health markers during pregnancy. The study involves regular testing and follow-up to assess the impact of the supplementation on bone health and pregnancy outcomes, with the trial lasting until January 2035.

Researchers are evaluating the link between vitamin D deficiency, postural stability, and neuromuscular control in adults aged 20 to 40 years. This observational study compares individuals with vitamin D deficiency to healthy controls to better understand how vitamin D status affects neuromuscular responses and balance. Participants are divided into two groups based on routine clinical test results for vitamin D levels. Those with vitamin D deficiency and those with normal vitamin D status both undergo a single session of non-invasive assessments. These include surface electromyography to measure muscle activity and tests of postural stability during various standing tasks, including single-leg and double-leg stance with and without vibration stimulation. During the single assessment session, researchers will record muscle activation and postural stability parameters under different conditions. They will analyze neuromuscular reflexes and how loading and vibration influence balance. The study aims to provide insights for future rehabilitation and balance training strategies. Participation involves no invasive procedures, medications, or additional blood tests, and results from prior routine labs are used to determine vitamin D status.

This research aims to understand the relationship between vitamin D levels, bone metabolism, and obesity in children aged 3 to 15 years who have experienced low-energy trauma. The study compares children with confirmed fractures to those with similar trauma but no fractures to explore factors that may contribute to bone fragility and fracture risk. Participants are divided into two groups children with radiologically confirmed low-energy fractures and children with low-energy trauma but no fractures. Blood samples are collected within seven days of trauma to measure markers such as 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, and phosphate. Dietary calcium intake and body measurements are also recorded to evaluate nutritional and metabolic status. Children will undergo baseline assessments including body mass index measurement and a dietary questionnaire. Researchers analyze blood markers and calculate a composite bone risk score to identify factors linked to fracture risk. The study uses statistical methods to compare groups and assess the association between bone markers and fractures, aiming to improve understanding of pediatric bone health and inform prevention strategies.

Researchers are studying adults with hypovitaminosis D, a condition characterized by low vitamin D levels in the blood. This randomized clinical trial compares three different ways of taking vitamin D supplements to see how well they raise vitamin D levels and affect bone mineral density. The purpose is to find the best dosing method for improving vitamin D intake. Participants are assigned to one of three treatment groups Group A receives 0.266 mg of calcifediol once a month, Group B takes 25,000 IU of cholecalciferol every 15 days, and Group C uses 4 drops of calcifediol daily. Vitamin D blood levels are measured after one month of treatment to guide dosing. The study also monitors bone mineral density over an 18-month period. During the trial, participants have their vitamin D levels checked at one and six months after starting treatment. Bone density is assessed using DEXA scans between recruitment and 18 months. The study involves randomization and single masking to monitor and compare the effects of these vitamin D supplementation methods. Participation lasts up to 18 months, including follow-up assessments.