Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D with insulin resistance and β-cell function in a healthy Chinese female population

Aim: To assess associations of the serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D with insulin resistance and beta-cell function in a healthy Chinese female population. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1382 female participants free of type 2 diabetes who were recruited in Shanghai. Blood samples were collected within a winter season and the serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, fasting plasma glucose and insulin, and other biochemical parameters were determined. Insulin resistance and beta-cell function were assessed using the homeostasis model assessments of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and beta-cell function (HOMA-B), respectively. Results: Multiple linear regression analyses adjusted for age, parathyroid hormone, Ca2+ and BMI revealed that independent inverse associations existed between the serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and HOMA-IR (P<0.001) and between the serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and HOMA-B (P=0.001). Conclusion: Serum vitamin D level is significantly and independently associated with insulin resistance and beta-cell function in a healthy Chinese female population.