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Vitamin D suppresses cellular pathways of diabetes complication in liver

Hoda Derakhshanian1,2, Mahmoud Djalali3, Mohammad Hassan Mohammad Hassan3

  • 1Dietary Supplements and Probiotic Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.

Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
|June 25, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Vitamin D supplementation improved hyperglycemia and insulin levels in diabetic rats. It also reduced the expression of specific genes linked to diabetes complications in the liver.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology and Metabolism
  • Molecular Biology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Diabetes complications arise from complex metabolic dysregulation.
  • Key genes in the liver play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications.
  • Vitamin D's role in glucose metabolism and its impact on diabetes-related gene expression require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of vitamin D on glucose metabolism in diabetic rats.
  • To assess the impact of vitamin D on the expression of five key genes involved in diabetes complications within liver tissue.

Main Methods:

  • Diabetic rat model induced by streptozotocin.
  • Treatment groups received either placebo or vitamin D for four weeks.
  • Assessed serum glucose, insulin, HbA1c, liver advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and gene expression of AGER, GLO-1, AR, OGT, and GFAT.

Main Results:

  • Vitamin D treatment significantly increased 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels and improved hyperglycemia by 11%.
  • Insulin levels were significantly increased in vitamin D-treated rats compared to controls.
  • A significant reduction in the gene expression of AGE cellular receptor (AGER) and O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT) was observed in the liver.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin D may help ameliorate diabetes complications by improving glycemic control and insulin levels.
  • Vitamin D supplementation demonstrated a suppressive effect on AGER and OGT gene expression in the liver of diabetic rats.
  • These findings suggest a potential therapeutic role for vitamin D in managing diabetes and its associated complications.
Keywords:
Advanced glycation end – productsCholecalciferolDiabetes complicationsHexosamine pathway Vitamin D

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