Table 3.
The secondary outcomes: Wound healing, serum 25(OH)D levels, immune markers, and adverse events
|
Secondary outcome
|
VD group (n = 60)
|
Control group (n = 60)
|
P value
|
| Wound healing | |||
| Baseline ulcer size (cm²) | 5.6 | 5.4 | - |
| Ulcer size at 6 weeks (cm²) | 3.6 (35% reduction from baseline) | 4.3 (20% reduction from baseline) | - |
| Ulcer size at 12 weeks (cm²) | 2.2 (60% reduction from baseline) | 3.5 (35% reduction from baseline) | < 0.01 |
| Complete ulcer closure (%) | 20% | 10% | - |
| Serum 25(OH)D levels (ng/mL) | |||
| Baseline | 16.5 ± 4.8 | 17.1 ± 5.0 | 0.47 |
| Post-intervention (12 weeks) | 35.2 ± 7.5 | 18.3 ± 5.2 | < 0.001 |
| Immune markers | |||
| Cathelicidin (change from baseline) | +30% | No significant change | < 0.01 |
| Pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) | -20% | No significant change | 0.02 |
| Adverse events | |||
| Hypercalcemia | 0 cases | 0 cases | - |
| Other side effects | None reported | None reported | - |
Vitamin D (VD) supplementation correlated with notable enhancements in wound healing and serum 25(OH)D concentrations, along with an augmented immunological response, as shown by alterations in cathelicidin and pro-inflammatory cytokines. No adverse events were reported in either group, confirming the safety and tolerability of VD supplementation at 2000 IU/day. VD: Vitamin D; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor-α; IL: Interleukin.