Vitamin D status is linked with plasma glutathione and cysteine thiol/disulfide redox status in adults (260.4)

Objective: Redox status and inflammation are important in the pathophysiology of numerous chronic diseases. Epidemiological studies have linked vitamin D nutriture to a number of chronic diseases. We examined the relationships between serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and circulating biomarkers of redox and inflammation. Methods: We studied a community‐based cohort of working adults in Atlanta, GA (N=693). Plasma thiol/disulfide redox status was determined by HPLC [glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), cysteine (Cys), cystine (CySS), and their calculated redox potentials (Eh), calculated by the Nernst equation]. Pro‐inflammatory biomarkers included IL‐6, IL‐8, TNF‐α, and C‐reactive protein. Relationships were assessed by multiple linear regression. Results: Serum 25(OH)D levels were positively associated with plasma GSH levels, a more reducing GSH/GSSG EhCys, and inversely with Cys levels (P<0.001). These associations were not influenced by subject age, gender, race, % body fat, and cardiovascular risk factors (P<0.02). Serum 25(OH)D was not independently associated with any inflammatory marker. Conclusion: Serum 25(OH)D levels were independently associated with major plasma thiol/disulfide redox systems, suggesting that vitamin D status may be involved in redox‐mediated pathophysiology. Grant Funding Source : Supported by NIH (T32DK007298, UL1TR000454, K23AR054334, and K24RR023356).