Therapeutic effects of vitamin D and omega-3 supplementation on HFHS diet-induced endothelial dysfunction in Wistar...

Obesity impairs cardiovascular health through endothelial dysfunction, which is exacerbated by high-fat high-sugar (HFHS) diets through mechanisms involving chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance. Nutritional interventions, specifically vitamin D (VD) and omega-3 fatty acids (ω3), have emerged as potential therapies to improve endothelial function and mitigate cardiovascular risks associated with obesity.

This study investigated the effects of VD, ω3 and their combination on endothelial dysfunction induced by an HFHS diet in Wistar rats.

Sixty-four male Wistar rats were fed either a Standard (S) or HFHS diet for 26 weeks. After 13 weeks, rats were supplemented with VD (600 IU/kg/day), ω3 (300 mg/kg/day), both (VD/ω3), or a control (C) for an additional 13 weeks. Endothelial function was assessed using aortic ring assays, focusing on acetylcholine (ACh)-mediated endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, phenylephrine (Phe)-mediated vasoconstriction, and insulin responsiveness.

VD and/or ω3 supplementation effectively improved ACh-mediated vasorelaxation and counteracted HFHS-induced endothelial dysfunction. VD enhanced insulin-mediated vasorelaxation, while ω3 showed a non-significant trend towards improved Phe-mediated vasoconstriction.

VD and ω3 supplementation, alone or in combination, significantly improved endothelial function and mitigated the adverse effects of an HFHS diet. The combination did not show clear additive effects. These findings suggest their potential as therapeutic strategies for managing obesity-related cardiovascular issues.