Role of steroid hormones in metabolic syndrome and the effect of vitamin D supplementation

Abstract

The present study was planned to investigate the effects of vitamin D as well as Carbenexolone on Metabolic syndrome risk factors including; high blood pressure, obesity, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. This work was performed on 48 adult female Wistar rats, divided into 4 groups: 1. Control group (n=12) 2. Untreated Metabolic syndrome induced group (n=12) 3. Vitamin D treated Met S (n=12) Rats of this group were treated by intraperitoneal vitamin D in a dose of 10 μg /Kg for 25 days every other day. 4. Carbenoxolone treated Met S (n=12) Rats of this group were treated by carbenoxolone in a dose of 50 mg/Kg daily by gavage for 10 days.

All rats were subjected to the following experimental studies: 1- Anthropometric study: Measurement of body weight & Length, calculation of BMI & LI, measurement of waist circumference. 2- Measurement of ABP. 3- Detection of glucose uptake by diaphragm. 4- Assessment of visceral fat weight. 5- Biochemical studies including: • Determination of plasma glucose level. • Determination of plasma lipid profile including: (triglycerides- HDL- cholesterol- LDL). • Assessment of liver functions including: (SGPT- alkaline phosphatase). • Hormonal assays :(corticosterone - insulin). 6- Histological studies; liver (PAS& H&E), muscle (PAS), kidney (Mallory). Results of the present study showed: Anthropometric study of Met S induced group of rats revealed significant increase of BMI, LI, waist circumference, and visceral fat weight. Met S induced group of rats exhibited disturbed glycemic control & insulin resistance as evidenced by; elevated plasma glucose level, hyperinsulinemia, decreased glucose uptake by diaphragm basal and insulin-stimulated, decreased muscle and liver glycogen. Also, dyslipidemia was manifested as; elevated LDL, TGs, Total cholesterol, and decreased HDL. Liver affection was evidenced as liver enzymes; GPT and alkaline phosphatase were significantly elevated. Histological examination of liver from Met S induced group of rats revealed: marked congestion of the liver sinusoids and central veins, the hepatocytes appeared greatly distorted. Many of the nuclei appeared pyknotic and irregular. The cytoplasm revealed marked vacuolation and in certain areas disintegration. Significant elevation of arterial blood pressure was recorded, histological examination of the kidney revealed increase in the collagen content in the glomeruli.