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Vitamin D 3 supplementation and neurofilament light chain in multiple sclerosis
Author(s) -
Smolders Joost,
Mimpen Max,
Oechtering Johanna,
Damoiseaux Jan,
Ouweland Jody,
Hupperts Raymond,
Kuhle Jens
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/ane.13185
Subject(s) - medicine , vitamin d and neurology , multiple sclerosis , gastroenterology , placebo , biomarker , vitamin , clinical endpoint , surrogate endpoint , relapsing remitting , randomized controlled trial , pathology , immunology , biochemistry , chemistry , alternative medicine
Objectives Low circulating vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of active MRI lesions and relapses in several cohorts with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Randomized controlled supplementation trials are, however, negative on their primary endpoints, while secondary MRI endpoints suggest anti‐inflammatory effects. Circulating levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL) are a biomarker of disease activity in RRMS. We explored whether 48‐week high‐dose vitamin D 3 supplements were associated with lower circulating NfL levels. Materials & Methods Of N = 40 Dutch interferon beta‐treated participants with RRMS of the SOLAR trial, plasma samples at baseline and 48‐week follow‐up were available. Of these participants, N = 24 were supplemented with 14 000 IU/d vitamin D 3 and N = 16 with placebo. Twenty‐five hydroxyvitamin D 3 (25(OH)D 3 ) levels were measured with LC‐MS/MS, and NfL levels were measured in duplicate with Simoa. Results Serum 25(OH)D 3 levels at 48 weeks were increased in the vitamin D 3 when compared to placebo group (median level 281 [IQR 205‐330] vs 72 [39‐88] nmol/L; P < .01). NfL levels at 48 weeks did not differ between the treatment groups (median level 25.4 [IQR 19.6‐32.2] vs 25.3 [17.9‐30.1] pg/mL; P = .74). Higher week 48 NfL level showed a trend toward association with a higher risk of combined unique active lesions on the week 48 MRI scan (OR 2.39 [95% CI 0.93‐6.12] for each 10 pg/mL increase; P = .07). Conclusions Supplementation of high‐dose vitamin D 3 for 48 weeks was not associated with lower NfL levels. This study does not support an effect of vitamin D 3 on this biomarker of neuro‐axonal injury.