Evaluation of Vitamin D in Diabetes in STZ induced Diabetes Mellitus in rats

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of Vit D in type II in STZ induced Type-2 diabetes in albino Wistar rats. Methods: The study was carried out on albino Wistar rats. A total of 30 rats were divided into five groups with six rats in each group. (ii) Group-I Normal Control (Gum Acacia as a vehicle), Group-II Diabetic Control (HFD 21 days + STZ 35mg/kg I.p 21 days) Group-III Diabetic + Vit D (400IU orally for 3 weeks), Group-IV( HFD 21 days + STZ 35mg/kg i.p + Glimepiride 2mg/kg 21 days), Group-V( Glimepiride + Vit D. Group I was fed with normal pellet diet and all other were fed with HFD till completion of the study. Diabetes was induced in rats by administering a single dose of streptozotocin 35mg/kg I.P on day 21. On day 5 after STZ administration, blood sugar levels were checked and rats with blood sugar more than 250 mg/dl were included in the study. Test drugs were administered for three weeks. At the end of the study blood samples collected from retro-orbital plexus and used for biochemical investigation. Results: Vit D is found to be effective in lowering blood sugar levels and increase insulin levels. Treatment with Vit D also increased serum calcium levels and decreased HBA1c levels in all the Vit D treated groups. In group IV and V, these values were significant and the p-value was < 0.001. Similarly, there is an increase in serum Vit D levels in group III and & V and p-value was < 0.001. Conclusion: Treatment with Vit D in diabetes significantly reduced blood sugar levels and has significantly reduced HBA1c levels indicating a favourable effect on glucose homeostasis.