Vitamin D and Arterial Stiffness in Elderly

Investigators will examine arterial stiffness and pulse waveform analysis. Subjects with vitamin D insufficiency will be recruited. A double blind randomized controlled study will examine the effects of standard dose vitamin D3 (800 IU) versus higher dose vitamin D3 (5000 IU)-given on a daily basis.In order to understand mechanisms of action by which vitamin D would improve arterial stiffness investigators will use biomarkers. Oxidative and inflammatory stress will be measured by plasma F2-isoprostanes and Sulforaphane levels.

Cardiovascular disease disproportionately impacts the elderly. Current practice targets vascular disease with aggressive lipid lowering combined with brachial BP regulation, but has only achieved a modest degree of success. There is a need to intervene at a much earlier stage. Increased arterial stiffness is a marker for subclinical vascular disease and a sensitive predictor of ischemic stroke in the elderly. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to an increased risk of vascular disease. There is an urgent need for well controlled randomized interventional studies in healthy elderly individuals demonstrating that vitamin D levels can improve vascular function in healthy elderly with vitamin D insufficiency. High dose vitamin D (5000 IU) replacement is required to improve systemic inflammation which may contribute to arterial stiffness and vascular aging. The hypothesis is that daily 5000 IU vitamin D3 will regress or at least prevent progression of arterial stiffness as assessed by the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity. Furthermore, investigators postulate that this improvement will be linked to improved oxidative and inflammatory status. Investigators will measure plasma measurements of Sulforaphane and plasma F2-isoprostane to assess the anti-oxidative mechanisms by which vitamin D could influence arterial stiffness.

Subjects will be randomized in a double blind manner. Arterial stiffness and oxidative stress markers will be evaluated in the low dose Vitamin D (800 IU) versus a high dose vitamin D (5000 IU) over a period of a year

The study coordinators will be aware of the allocation into the low and high dose vitamin D groups but the patient and the investigators will be blinded from this information.

Plasma sulphoraphane and F2-isoprostanes. Isoprostanes will be measured by gas chromatography mass spectrometry and sulphoraphane will be measured using LC-MS/MS techniques

Inclusion Criteria: Community dwelling adults (Subjects) aged between 65 and 89 years of age Subjects should be ambulatory, living at home and capable of self-care Subjects should be able to drive an automobile independently and without assistance Subjects agree to home visitation by coordinators to assess pill counts or willing to come to TTUHSC for such a visit every 4 weeks ± 3 days 25(OH) Vitamin D value < 30 ng/ml Subjects able to read and understand the English language Exclusion Criteria: Subjects unable or unwilling to have follow up for the duration of the study Subjects that cannot take a daily Vitamin D supplement or unwilling to have multiple blood draws Subjects on peritoneal or hemodialysis or a life expectancy less than 2 years Subjects with Sarcoidosis or diseases associated with hypercalcemia Subjects with prior cerebrovascular disease or memory problems Subjects with prior myocardial infarction or atrial fibrillation or on anticoagulants Subjects on medications for memory or cognitive issues or mental health Subjects unable to tolerate Sphygamocor and Complior testing protocol