Fewer mice became prediabetic when given Vitamin D, even when on high fat, high sugar diet – March 2017

Vitamin D3 supplementation of a high fat high sugar diet ameliorates prediabetic phenotype in female LDLR−/− and LDLR+/+ mice

Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease: 10.1002/iid3.154
Ramiar Kheder, James Hobkirk, Zeayd Saeed, Justyna Janus, Sean Carroll, Michael J. Browning, Cordula Stover cms13 at le.ac.uk

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Introduction
Fatty liver disease is prevalent in populations with high caloric intake. Nutritherapeutic approaches are being considered, such as supplementary Vitamin D3, to improve aspects of metabolic syndrome, namely fatty liver disease, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance associated with obesity.

Methods
We analyzed female LDLR−/− and LDLR+/+ mice on a 10-week diabetogenic diet for markers of fatty liver disease, metabolic strain, and inflammation.

Results
The groups on a high fat high sugar diet with supplementary Vitamin D3, in comparison with the groups on a high fat high sugar diet alone, showed improved transaminase levels, significantly less hypertriglyceridemia and hyperinsulinemia, and histologically, there was less pericentral hepatic steatosis. Levels of non-esterified fatty acids and lipid peroxidation products were significantly lower in the group supplemented with additional Vitamin D3, as were systemic markers of inflammation (serum endotoxin and IL-6). M2 macrophage phenotype predominated in the group supplemented with additional Vitamin D3. Beneficial changes were observed as early as five weeks’ supplementation with Vitamin D3 and extended to restoration of high fat high sugar diet induced decrease of bone mineral density.

Conclusion
In summary, Vitamin D3 was a significantly beneficial dietary additive to blunt a prediabetic phenotype in diet-induced obesity of female LDLR−/− and LDLR+/+ mice.