Open AccessDietary supplementation of vitamin D prevents the development of western diet‐induced metabolic, hepatic and cardiovascular abnormalities in rats
Author(s) -
Mazzone Giovanna,
Morisco Carmine,
Lembo Vincenzo,
D’Argenio Giuseppe,
D’Armiento Maria,
Rossi Antonella,
Giudice Carmine,
Trimarco Bruno,
Caporaso Nicola,
Morisco Filomena
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
ueg journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.667
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 2050-6414
pISSN - 2050-6406
DOI - 10.1177/2050640618774140
Subject(s) - medicine , insulin resistance , endocrinology , steatosis , vitamin , basal (medicine) , fatty liver , blood pressure , metabolic syndrome , vitamin d and neurology , insulin , diabetes mellitus , disease
Background The western diet high in fat and fructose may cause metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Objective To evaluate whether long‐term daily vitamin D 3 supplementation prevents hepatic steatosis and cardiovascular abnormalities and restores insulin sensitivity caused by fat diet in rats without vitamin D deficiency. Methods Three groups of rats were fed for 6 months with standard diet (SD), western diet (WD) or WD containing 23 IU/day/rat vitamin D 3 , respectively. Tail‐cuff systolic blood pressure (SBP)measurements in conscious rats and transthoracic echocardiography were performed in basal condition, and after 3 and 6 months of diet. Hepatic steatosis and myocardial fibrosis were assessed in liver and cardiac tissues using standard methods. Serum insulin and 25(OH)D3 concentrations were determined using rat‐specific ELISA kits. Insulin resistance was determined according to the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) method. Results Sixty‐one per cent of hepatocytes in WD rats had steatotic vacuoles compared with just 27% in rats on a WD plus vitamin D 3 ( p < 0.05).HOMA‐IR was reduced in rats with vitamin D supplementation compared with WD alone (19.4 ± 5.2 vs 41.9 ± 8.9, p < 0.05). Rat blood pressure and left ventricular mass were both reduced by vitamin D 3 supplementation. Conclusion In animal models of liver and cardiovascular metabolic damage, the supplementation of vitamin D 3 shows liver and cardio‐protective effects.