Serum
25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(
OH)D),
hs-CRP, and indicators of
lipid profiles (total
cholesterol, TC;
triglyceride, TG;
high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL-C;
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,
LDL-C), were measured in 2479 pregnant women during the second trimester. Potential confounding including maternal sociodemographic characteristics, perinatal health status, diet, and lifestyle was prospectively collected. Multiple regression models and cubic models were used to evaluate the associations.
RESULTS: There was a significant non-linear relationship between
lipid profile (TC, TG, HDL-C,
LDL-C) and
hs-CRP (P < 0.05). Increased serum 25(
OH)D was significantly associated with decreasing TC, TG, HDL-C,
LDL-C, and
hs-CRP levels. Compared with medium levels of
lipids group, pregnant women with higher levels of TC or TG have higher levels of
hs-CRP, and pregnant women with lower levels of TC, HDL-C or
LDL-C also have higher levels of
hs-CRP in the
vitamin D deficient group, and there was a significant correlation between low levels of TG and decreased
hs-CRP (adjusted β for TG: -0.063, 95%CI: - 0.120,-0.007) in the non-
vitamin D deficient group. Mediators that had appreciable shares of the associations between 25(
OH)D and
hs-CRP was TG (10.2% of the association; β = - 0.011; total indirect effect: 95% CI: - 0.019, - 0.002). The cubic model suggested that a steep increase in the adjusted regression coefficient of
lipid with
hs-CRP up to 50 nmol/L of 25(
OH)D, and the highest adjusted regression coefficients were observed in pregnant women with 25(
OH)D above 50 nmol/L.
CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that high levels of
vitamin D during pregnancy may improve
lipid profile levels and inhibit elevated
hs-CRP induced by high lipid metabolism.