High-Dose Vitamin D3 for Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing: Randomized Controlled Trial

Diabetic foot ulcers are a prevalent and serious complication of uncontrolled diabetes, with a significant proportion leading to infection, amputation, and mortality. Delayed wound healing in DFUs is often driven by prolonged inflammation, persistent infection, impaired angiogenesis, and an imbalance between extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation by MMP-9 and inhibition by TIMP-1. Elevated MMP-9 levels disrupt keratinocyte migration, collagen deposition, and epithelial regeneration, while reduced TIMP-1 further compromises healing.

Vitamin D plays a regulatory role in immune modulation, inflammation control, fibroblast activity, and angiogenesis. Observational and interventional studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is common in DFU patients and is associated with slower healing. Supplementation has been linked to improved wound healing, reduced inflammatory markers, and better microcirculation. Vitamin D may also modulate MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression, thereby restoring ECM balance.

This study is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trial conducted at Dr. Mohammad Hoesin General Hospital, Palembang. Eligible participants are adults with DFUs, low serum vitamin D (<30 ng/mL), and no exclusion criteria such as advanced kidney disease, severe liver disease, osteomyelitis, or sepsis. Participants will be randomized into two groups:

Intervention group: Oral vitamin D3, 10,000 IU daily for 28 days Control group: Placebo daily for 28 days Both groups will receive standard DFU care. Compliance will be monitored with the MMAS-8 scale. Primary outcomes are changes in tissue MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression (assessed by immunohistochemistry) and wound healing parameters. Secondary outcomes include changes in serum vitamin D levels and correlation between vitamin D status and wound healing outcomes.

The study aims to determine whether high-dose vitamin D3 supplementation reduces the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio and accelerates wound healing, potentially supporting its use as a standard adjunctive therapy for DFUs.

Inclusion criteria

Diagnosis of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level < 30 ng/mL Willingness and ability to provide written informed consent Ability to comply with study procedures and follow-up visits

Exclusion criteria

Currently undergoing cancer treatment Pregnant or breastfeeding Current use of vitamin D supplementation History of autoimmune disease Chronic kidney disease with estimated GFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m² Abnormal liver function tests (AST or ALT ≥ 3× upper normal limit) Ankle-brachial index (ABI) < 0.4 Presence of osteomyelitis Proven sepsis Allergy to vitamin D3 Amputation prior to randomization Withdrawal of consent during the study