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Vitamin D Repletion and AA/EPA Intake in Children with Type 1 Diabetes: Influences on Metabolic Status.

Abstract

Our study aimed to show a relationship between metabolic control, vitamin D status (25OHD), and arachidonic acid (AA)/eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ratio in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The secondary aim was to evaluate dietary intake and the presence of ketoacidosis (DKA) at the onset of T1D.

Methods

A cohort of 40 children with T1D was recruited, mean age 9.7 years (7.1; 13), with onset of T1D in the last 5 years: some at onset (n: 20, group A) and others after 18.0 ± 5 months (n: 20; group B). Twenty healthy children were compared as control subjects (CS). Dietary intakes were assessed through a diary food frequency questionnaire. Moreover, dried blood spots were used to test AA/epa ratio by gas chromatography.

Results

T1D children had a lower percentage of sugar intake (p < 0.02) than CS. Furthermore, group B introduced a greater amount of AA with the diet (g/day; p < 0.05) than CS (p < 0.01) and group A (p < 0.01). Children with an AA/epa ratio ≤ 22.5 (1st quartile) required a lower insulin demand and had higher 25OHD levels than those who were in the higher quartiles (p < 0.05). Subjects with DKA (9/40) had levels of 25OHD (p < 0.05) and C-peptide (p < 0.05) lower than those without DKA. Moreover, analyzing the food questionnaire in group A, subjects with DKA showed a lower intake of proteins, sugars, fiber (g/day; p< 0.05), vitamin D, EPA, and DHA (g/day; p < 0.01) compared to subjects without DKA. Non-linear associations between vitamin D intake (p < 0.0001; r2:0.580) and linear between epa intake and C-peptide (p < 0.05; r: 0.375) were found in all subjects.

Conclusions

The study shows a relationship between vitamin D status, AA/epa ratio, and metabolic state, probably due to their inflammatory and immune mechanisms. A different bromatological composition of the diet could impact the severity of the onset.

Authors

Savastio, Silvia,Pozzi, Erica,Mancioppi, Valentina,Boggio Sola, Valentina,Carrera, Deborah,Antoniotti, Valentina,Corsetto, Paola Antonia,Montorfano, Gigliola,Rizzo, Angela Maria,Bagnati, Marco,Rabbone, Ivana,Prodam, Flavia
Published Date 2022 Nov 1