Effect of Vitamin D on Dexamethasone Induced Metabolic Disturbance And Gastric Ulcer

Abstract

Glucocorticoids are indispensible in medicine but, they have many side effects. Vitamin D is an antioxidant prohormone known by several functions. To detect the protective effect of vitamin D against dexamethasone induced metabolic disturbance and gastric ulceration, 24 adult rats were allocated into 4 groups: group1 (control), group 2 given (vitamin D), group 3 given (Dexamethasone) and group 4 given (vitamin D with dexamethasone). We measured body weight, fasting serum glucose, insulin, Homoeostasis model assessment of both insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), B cell function (HOMA-B) and glucose uptake in muscle. Serum triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol (TC), low and high density lipoprotein (LDL, HDL) were measured. Gastrocnemius muscle weight and protein content were assessed. Ulcer index (UI), gastric superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and histopathological examination of stomachs was performed. Dexamethasone caused significant decrease of body weight, significant increase of serum glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, significant decrease of HOMA-B and glucose uptake. It caused significant increase of serum TG, TC, LDL and significant decrease of HDL. It caused significant decrease of muscle weight and protein content. It caused significant elevation of UI, gastric oxidative stress and mucosal ulcers in histopathology. Giving vitamin D with dexamethasone minimized these effects.