R Mahdavi [1] , PhD S Ghavamzadeh [2] , MSc MH Khadem  Ansari [3] , PhD M Mobasseri [4] , MD

 Received: 3 Sep, 2007 Accepted: 5 Nov, 2007

 Abstract

 Background & Aims : An overweight person's body cannot metabolically use insulin due to excessive adipose tissue. It seems that the leptin deficiency is related to increased susceptibility to infection. This study was conducted to illustrate the effect of supplemental calcium and vitamin D on serum leptin, body composition, and adiposity in type II diabetic patients.

 Materials & Methods: The studied subjects were selected among type II diabetic patients (n=53). Twenty eight patients were daily supplemented by calcium (1000 mg/day) plus vitamin D (400 IU/day) and 25 patients by placebo for 13-14 weeks. The patient’s diets were analyzed by 24 hours recall method. The body composition and adiposity was tested by bioelecterical impedance analyzer. The serum ionized calcium, and leptin were measured at both groups in pre- and post-intervention stages.

 Results: The placebo group showed no significant differences among pre and post intervention phases but serum leptin revealed a significant increase. These parameters were also significantly altered in Ca+D group. Furthermore, at this group the percent of body fat and body water was increased and decreased respectively. Serum calcium, body weight, waist circumference, BMI and lean body mass had no alterations between pre- and post- intervention stages. Energy intake did not have any significant difference between intervention periods at both groups but Ca+D group had significantly lower physical activity from placebo group.

 Conclusion: Our study has detected the significant effects of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on serum leptin level among type II diabetic patients. Thus, this study can imply the usefulness of calcium supplementation in diabetic type II patients.

 Keywords: Vitamin D supplementation, Calcium supplementation, Serum leptin, Adiposity, Type II diabetes

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 Address: Nutrition Research Center , Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Tel: 09143413616

 E-mail: ghavamzadeh_s@yahoo.com

  [1] Associate Professor of Nutrition, Nutrition�Research�Center, Tabriz�University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

  [2] PhD Student of Nutrition, Health and Nutrition Faculty, Tabriz�University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran (Corresponding Author)

  [3] Associate Professor of Biochemistry, Biochemistry & Nutrition Faculty, Urmia�University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

  [4] Assistant Professor of Endocrinology & Metabolism Faculty , Tabriz�University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran�