Effects of Vitamin D 3 supplementation on epigenetic aging in overweight and obese african americans with suboptimal Vitamin D status: A randomized clinical trial

Li Chen, Yanbin Dong, Jigar Bhagatwala, Anas Raed, Ying Huang, Haidong Zhu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

54 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background We have previously shown that vitamin D supplementation increases telomerase activity, suggesting an anti-aging effect. In this study, we aim to test the hypothesis that vitamin D supplementation would slow down epigenetic aging, a new marker of biological aging. Methods A randomized clinical trial was previously conducted among 70 overweight/obese African Americans with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] < 50 nmol/L, who were randomly assigned into four groups of 600 IU/d, 2,000 IU/d, 4,000 IU/d of vitamin D 3 supplements or placebo followed by 16-week interventions. Whole genome-wide DNA methylation analysis was conducted in 51 participants. DNA methylation ages were calculated according to the Horvath and the Hannum methods. Methylation-based age acceleration index (ΔAge) is defined as the difference between DNA methylation age and chronological age in years. Mixed-effects models were used to evaluate the treatment effects. Results Fifty-one participants (aged 26.1 ± 9.3 years, 16% are male) were included in the study. After the adjustment of multi-covariates, vitamin D 3 supplementation of 4,000 IU/d was associated with 1.85 years decrease in Horvath epigenetic aging compared with placebo (p value =.046), and 2,000 IU/d was associated with 1.90 years decrease in Hannum epigenetic aging (p value =.044). Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly associated with decreased Horvath ΔAge only (p values =.002), regardless of treatments. Conclusions Our results suggest that vitamin D supplementation may slow down Horvath epigenetic aging. But the effect on Hannum epigenetic aging is not conclusive. Large-scale and longer duration clinical trials are needed to replicate the findings.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)91-98
Number of pages8
JournalJournals of Gerontology - Series A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
Volume74
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2019

Keywords

  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D
  • DNA methylation age
  • Vitamin D insufficiency

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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