DPP-4 Inhibitors Linked to Improved Vitamin D Balance in T2DM Patients

Findings from a study published in Acta Diabetologica support that treatment with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors is associated with better vitamin D balance in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Previous studies and experimental models have demonstrated positive effects of  DPP-4 inhibitors on bone but how these effects impact bone homeostasis has been unknown. Researchers from the Sapienza University of Rome studied the relationship between DPP-4 inhibitors and vitamin D balance in 295 patients with type 2 diabetes through a cross-sectional study. Of the total patients, 53% were being treated with DPP-4 inhibitors. Standard methods were used to assess patients’ metabolic profile and routine biochemistry; colorimetric method was used to measure vitamin D levels [25(OH)D]. 

The results showed patients treated with DPP-4 inhibitors had significantly higher serum 25(OH)D levels vs. patients treated with other antidiabetic agents (18.4±10.7 vs. 14.9±8.6ng/mL; P=0.004). This association remained even after adjusting for all major confounders. Higher 25(OH)D levels were also correlated with the length of DPP-4 inhibitors treatment and with stronger DPP-4 inhibition.

“Our findings suggest that vitamin D may underlie the link between DPP-4 inhibitors and bone metabolism,” study author M. G. Cavallo concluded.

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