This study evaluates the efficacy of vitamin D replacement therapy in reducing depressive symptoms in patients with chronic liver disease and vitamin D deficiency. Patients with normal vitamin D levels will be monitored as controls, and they will not receive any intervention.

Patients with chronic liver diseases regularly suffer from vitamin D deficiency and depression. A recent meta-analysis reported an inverse correlation between depression and vitamin D levels. Indeed, vitamin D receptor is present and genomic and nongenomic vitamin D receptor-mediated signalling has been described in brain.

This intervention study investigates whether vitamin D therapy ameliorates depressive symptoms in chronic liver disease patients.

The investigators hypothesise that depressive symptoms will improve upon vitamin D replacement therapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• men and women
• over 18 years of age
• chronic liver disease

Exclusion Criteria:

• severe hepatic encephalopathy (CFF <35 Hz)
• Interferon treatment
• hypercalcaemia (>2.7 mmol/l) or hypercalciuria (>8.0 mmol/d) with or without hyperparathyroidism (>65.0 pg/ml)
• history of calcium-containing kidney stones
• allergy or hypersensitivity to any of the supplement ingredients: peanuts, soy, gelatin
• sarcoidosis
• stage IV or V Chronic Kidney Disease
• Pregnancy