Correlation Between Alkaline Phosphatase and Vitamin D Among Female Students in The Faculty of Pharmacy at Arab International University

Abstract

Vitamin D status is commonly assessed by measuring serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), a lipid-soluble vitamin with a long half-life. It comprises vitamin D2 (from plant sources) and vitamin D3 (from animal sources). Vitamin D is critical for overall health, as it interacts with vitamin D receptors (VDRs) in various tissues and influences over 200 genes. A deficiency in vitamin D can affect numerous body systems, leading to widespread health issues. Globally, over 1 billion people, including both children and adults, suffer from vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency, which manifests in symptoms such as muscle weakness, bone pain, and fatigue, and is linked to diseases like neuropathy, cardiovascular issues, and immune dysfunctions. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme involved in bone formation, and elevated serum levels often indicate increased bone turnover. Conditions such as osteomalacia, a disease caused by vitamin D deficiency, are associated with raised ALP levels. This study evaluated ALP levels in 151 healthy female students aged 20-30 and assessed the relationship between 25OHD and ALP in 42 samples. Vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/ml) was observed in 66.66% of participants, while 14.28% had insufficiency (20-30 ng/ml) and 19.05% had normal levels. All participants had normal ALP levels (72-112 u/L), and a weak correlation was found between 25OHD and ALP (p=0.24). Using an ALP cutoff of 75 u/L, vitamin D deficiency could be predicted with 85.3% sensitivity but low specificity (37.5%).

Keywords: Vitamin D Deficiency,  25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD),  Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Bone Health, Vitamin D Receptors (Vdrs).