Effect of calcium-vitamin D co-supplementation on metabolic profile and pregnancy outcomes: a double blind randomized controlled clinical trial

This study was designed to determine the effects of calcium-vitamin D supplementation on insulin resistance، inflammatory factor and biomarkers of oxidative stress among healthy pregnant women and pregnancy outcomes. This randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial was performed among 42 p regnant women، aged 18-40 year old who were carrying singleton pregnancy at 25 weeks of gestation. Pregnant women were randomly assigned to receive either 500 mg calcium-200 IU vitamin D supplements (n=21) or placebo (n=21) for 9 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after 9-wk intervention to measure insulin resistance، high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and biomarkers of oxidative stress including plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total glutathione (GSH). Newborn''s weight، length and head circumference were measured during the first 24 h after birth. Consumption of calcium-vitamin D supplements compared with the placebo resulted in a significant reduction of serum hs-CRP levels (-1856. 76 vs. 707. 13 µg/mL، P=0. 006)، a significant elevation of plasma TAC (89. 29 vs. -9. 37 mmol/L، P=0. 03)، serum vitamin D (2. 49 vs. -1. 72 ng/mL، P<0. 0001) and calcium levels (0. 6 vs. -0. 1 mg/dL، P<0. 0001). The supplementation led to a significant decrease in DBP (-1. 9 vs. 3. 1 mmHg، P=0. 02) compared to placebo. In conclusion، consumption of calcium-vitamin D supplements for 9 weeks among pregnant women had the beneficial effects on metabolic profiles.