An eight-week supplementation with vitamin D in adults with mild to moderate depression led to a considerable rise in serum 25(OH)D concentrations, which was followed by a reduction in the severity of the patient's depression, according to a double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Mina Kaviani et al. sought to assess the impact of supplementing vitamin D on the concentration of serum 25(OH)D, the severity of depression, and some pro-inflammatory biomarkers in patients with depression.

Overall, 56 people (aged 18-60 years) with mild to moderate depression were randomized to control (placebo) and intervention (50,000 IU cholecalciferol 2 weeks-1) groups. Initial and final measurements included those of depression severity (Beck Depression Inventory-II [BDI-II]), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), and serum 25(OH)D.

At the end point, only the intervention group showed clinically meaningful alterations contrasted to the controls, encompassing elevated 25(OH)D concentration (+ 40.83 ± 28.57 vs. + 5.14 ± 23.44 nmol L-1) and declined severity of depression (-11.75 ± 6.40 vs. -3.61 ± 10.40). There were no discernible variations in serum IL-1β, IL-6, or hs-CRP concentrations between or within groups.

Patients suffering from mild to moderate depression who received vitamin D for eight weeks (50,000 IU 2 weeks-1) had a substantial drop in their BDI-II scores. But, this impact was unrelated to the serum concentrations of the investigated inflammatory biomarkers.