Therapeutic potential of vitamin D in improving antioxidant defense and blood rheology in a rat model of experimental diabetes mellitus

TL;DR

This study shows that vitamin D can help reduce oxidative stress and improve blood flow in diabetic rats, even when given after diabetes onset.

Contribution

The study demonstrates vitamin D's therapeutic potential in improving antioxidant defense and blood rheology in diabetic rats.

Findings

Vitamin D improved antioxidant parameters like catalase and superoxide dismutase in diabetic rats.

Therapeutic vitamin D administration improved blood rheological indices in diabetic rats.

Vitamin D was effective even when administered after diabetes induction.

Abstract

To evaluate the preventive and corrective effects of vitamin D on antioxidant defense and blood rheology in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus.

Forty male rats (10 weeks old, ∼200 g) were randomly assigned to four groups: Group I – Intact controls; Group II – Diabetic rats (STZ only); Group III – Preventive (vitamin D for 14 days before STZ and continued throughout the experiment); Group IV – Therapeutic (vitamin D from day 3 post-STZ). DM was induced with streptozotocin (30 mg/kg), and vitamin D was administered orally at 300 IU/day, according to a previous dose-control experiment. Data from the 21st experimental day were evaluated. Blood samples collected at this point were used to determine catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and blood rheological parameters.

Vitamin D supplementation enhanced antioxidant-related parameters and improved blood rheological indices, particularly when administered therapeutically.

Vitamin D shows therapeutic potential in attenuating oxidative imbalance and improving blood rheology in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.

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