Role Of Vitamin D Deficiency On Induction Of Diabetes in Albino Rats

Background: Vitamin D3 has the potential to modulate both endocrine and immune system. Evidence increased on non-classical role of vitamin D in many autoimmune diseases. Vitamin D deficiency is considered as a global health problem and has been suggested based on animal studies to be associated with prevalence of glucose intolerance.Aim: Investigate the effect of vit. D deficiency on the blood glucose level and the structure of pancreas of albino rat.Material and methods:Thirty adult male, Sprague Dawley, albino rats were used in the current study, and were divided into two groups; Group I (Control) was fed vit. D balanced diet and exposed to sun light, and Group II was fed vit. D deficient diet and deprived from sun light exposure. Group II was further subdivided into IIa which was sacrificed after 1 month and IIb which was sacrificed after 2 months. Pancreata were collected from all group and prepared for histopathological examination. Morphometric measurements were done using image analyzer and blood glucose level was measured and all data were statistically analyzed. Results: Group IIa showed fewer and smaller islets of Langerhans compared with those of the control group while Group IIb showed marked decrease in the number and size of islets of Langerhans with disfigurement. Blood glucose level of group IIb showed highly significant increase compared to the control.Conclusion: there is an inverse correlation between serum vitamin D and insulin resistance. Persistent vitamin D deficiency status may lead to metabolic disorders including insulin resistance and raised blood glucose.