Fig. 1.

VDBP, 25(OH)D_3, and 1,25(OH)₂D₃ serum levels were notably downregulated in the sepsis patients. a–c Serum levels of VDBP, 25(OH)D₃, and 1,25(OH)₂D₃ in healthy volunteer group (NC, n = 50), sepsis non-survivor group [sepsis (d), n = 35], and sepsis survivor group [sepsis (s), n = 43] were measured by using the corresponding ELISA kits. Compared with healthy volunteer group, ***P < 0.001; compared with sepsis survivor group, ^#P < 0.05, ^##P < 0.01 and ^###P < 0.001. d–f Correlation between VDBP and 1,25(OH)₂D₃ (P > 0.05), VDBP and 25(OH)D₃ (P < 0.001), or 1,25(OH)₂D₃ and 25(OH)D₃ (P > 0.05). VDBP vitamin D binding protein