Effects of vitamin D supplementation on depression and some selected pro-inflammatory biomarkers: a double-blind randomized clinical trial

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Effects of vitamin D supplementation on depression and some selected pro-inflammatory biomarkers: a double-blind randomized clinical trial

Kaviani et al., 2022 | BMC Psychiatry | Rct

Citation

Kaviani Mina, Nikooyeh Bahareh, ... Neyestani Tirang R. Effects of vitamin D supplementation on depression and some selected pro-inflammatory biomarkers: a double-blind randomized clinical trial. BMC Psychiatry. 2022-Nov-11;22(1):694. doi:10.1186/s12888-022-04305-3

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Both augmented inflammatory reaction and low vitamin D status are associated with depression but the magnitude of their relationships is unclear. This study was, therefore, conducted to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on serum 25(OH)D concentration, depression severity and some pro-inflammatory biomarkers in patients with mild to moderate depression. METHODS: An 8-week double-blind randomized clinical trial (RCT) was performed on 56 (18-60 yrs) patients with mild to moderate depression, randomly assigned to intervention (50,000 IU cholecalciferol 2wks-1) and control (placebo) groups. Serum 25(OH)D, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), interlukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and depression severity (Beck Depression Inventory-II) (BDI-II)) were initially and finally assessed. RESULTS: At the end point, statistically significant changes were observed only in intervention group as compared with controls including increased 25(OH)D concentration (+ 40.83 ± 28.57 vs. + 5.14 ± 23.44 nmol L-1, P < 0.001) and decreased depression severity (-11.75 ± 6.40 vs. -3.61 ± 10.40, P = 0.003). No significant within- or between group differences were observed in serum IL-1β, IL-6 and hs-CRP concentrations. CONCLUSION: Increased circulating 25(OH)D concentrations following 8-week vitamin D supplementation (50,000 IU 2wks-1) resulted in a significant decrease in BDI-II scores in patients with mild to moderate depression. However, this effect was independent of the serum concentrations of the studied inflammatory biomarkers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The clinical trial registration code was obtained from the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (date of registration: 17/09/2018, registration number: IRCT20170926036425N1) and ClinicalTrials.gov (date of registration: 04/12/2018, registration number: NCT03766074).

Key Findings

At the end point, statistically significant changes were observed only in intervention group as compared with controls including increased 25(OH)D concentration (+ 40.83 ± 28.57 vs. + 5.14 ± 23.44 nmol L-1, P < 0.001) and decreased depression severity (-11.75 ± 6.40 vs. -3.61 ± 10.40, P = 0.003). No significant within- or between group differences were observed in serum IL-1β, IL-6 and hs-CRP concentrations.

Outcomes Measured

  • depression
  • C-reactive protein
  • inflammatory markers

Population

Field Value
Population mild to moderate depression
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition depression

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Depression
  • Interleukin-6
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin D Deficiency
  • Biomarkers

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Randomized Controlled Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: vitamin-d-mood

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09