Vitamin D and Inflammatory Markers of Cardiovascular Disease in African Americans With Type 2 Diabetes

Does Administration of Vitamin D in African Americans With Hypovitaminosis D and Type 2 DM Improve Inflammatory Markers of Cardiovascular Disease?

Recent clinical trials in non diabetics showed that vitamin D supplementation markedly reduced serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6, and tissue matrix metallo-proteinases. Our study objective is to evaluate if administration of vitamin D in African Americans with hypovitaminosis D and DM Type 2 decreases serum levels of inflammatory/thrombotic markers such as CRP: Highly Sensitive C Reactive Protein.

Other questions in our study: In diabetic African American patients,

1. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency?
2. Correlation/relationship between vitamin D levels, Calcium level, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and Inflammatory markers

Setting: All visits will take place at the Fantus Diabetes Clinic.

Inclusion Criteria:

• African Americans
• DM type 2

Exclusion Criteria:

• symptomatic vitamin D deficiency
• hypocalcemia
• hypercalcemia
• malabsorption
• liver disease
• patients with creatinine > 1.5. (CKD >/= 3)
• pregnancy