Vitamin D3 supplementation ameliorates ovariectomy-induced cardiac apoptotic and structural changes in adult albino rats

Abstract

The effect of vitamin D on cardiac dysfunction after menopause is still under investigation. Therefore, we investigated the effect of vitamin D3 on cardiac apoptotic and structural changes in ovariectomized rats. Forty adult female albino rats were divided into 4 equal groups: sham rats, sham rats treated with vitamin D3, ovariectomized rats, and ovariectomized rats treated with vitamin D3 (500 IU/kg per day for 6 weeks, orally). Body mass, blood pressure, heart rate, and whole heart mass (WHM) were measured. Serum soluble receptors of advanced glycation end products (sRAGE), C-reactive protein, malondialdehyde, and total antioxidant capacity were estimated. Cardiac sections were stained with haematoxylin–eosin and Masson’s trichrome stain. Fas and FasL apoptosis-related proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry. Vitamin D3 treatment significantly decreased ovariectomy-induced cardiac Fas and FasL apoptosis-related proteins, whole heart mass, body mass, C-reactive protein, and malondialdehyde accompanied by decreased inflammation and reduced collagen deposition between cardiac muscle fibres. However, vitamin D3 significantly increased total antioxidant capacity and sRAGE in ovariectomized and sham treated groups. Our findings suggest that vitamin D3 treatment can prevent ovariectomy-induced cardiac structural and apoptotic changes in rats via increasing sRAGE and antioxidant activity. Our results suggest that vitamin D3 has therapeutic effect against postmenopausal cardiovascular disease.

Vitamin D delays intervertebral disc degeneration and improves bone quality in ovariectomized rats

“…Hajar et al 38 found that 50,000 IU calcitriol supplementation every 2 weeks for 4 months in participants with premenstrual syndrome significantly decreased serum levels of interleukin (IL)‐10 and IL‐12, whereas T‐AOC significantly increased. In rats with OVX‐induced cardiac dysfunction, after 500 IU/kg per day calcitriol supplementation for 6 weeks, the total antioxidant capacity increased and cardiac Fas and FasL apoptosis‐related protein expressions decreased 39 …”

“…(E) The quantitative results of cell apoptosis (n = 3). *p < 0.05 compared with the control group; # p < 0.05. interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-12, whereas T-AOC significantly increased.In rats with OVX-induced cardiac dysfunction, after 500 IU/kg per day calcitriol supplementation for 6 weeks, the total antioxidant capacity increased and cardiac Fas and FasL apoptosis-related protein expressions decreased 39. Vitamin D also plays a role in immunomodulation, antiinflammation and antiaging.…”

Protective role of vitamin D3 in a rat model of hyperthyroid-induced cardiomyopathy

“…Several studies have reported the cardioprotective effect of vitamin D in different experimental models at both low and high doses (500 IU/kg/day to 60.000 IU/day). 12 , 13 , 14 Thus, in this study, we aimed to investigate the possible cardioprotective effect of vitamin D3 in hyperthyroid-induced cardiomyopathy rat model. Also, several studies had shown the role of vitamin D3 as adjuvant therapy in management of type 2 diabetes mellitus, melanoma and respiratory distress syndrome.…”

“…for 4 weeks daily, and received the vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) simultaneously at a dose of 500 IU/kg, dissolved in corn oil orally by gavage daily for the same duration of 4 weeks, according to previous protocols. 14 …”

“…Several studies have reported the cardioprotective effect of vitamin D in different experimental models, including doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, ovariectomy-induced cardiac changes and myocardial infarction in rats. 12 , 13 , 14 However, the effect of vitamin D3 to ameliorate hyperthyroid cardiomyopathy in rats has not been investigated yet. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin D3 on electrocardiograph (ECG) changes, oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, histological examination of heart, as well as immunohistochemical expression of caspase-3 (an apoptotic marker) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA, a proliferative marker) in the heart of hyperthyroid-induced cardiomyopathy rat model.…”