Dietary vitamin D ameliorates hepatic oxidative stress and inflammatory effects of diethylnitrosamine in rats

The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of several diseases. Its implication in inflammation has suggested a possible link between oxidative stress and activation/release of cytokines in precancerous states. Recent observational studies have suggested an association between inflammation and vitamin D deficiency; hence, suggesting that vitamin D could play a role in the pathogenesis of diseases. This study examined the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials of vitamin D in diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in rats. Rats were divided into four experimental groups. While groups one and two were administered twice weekly with 30 mg/kg body weight DEN for six weeks, groups three and four were given normal saline. Groups one and three were fed with vitamin D deficient diet, while groups two and four were fed vitamin D diet during the experiment. After that, biomarkers of oxidative stress status were assayed spectrophotometrically. The concentration of inflammatory cytokines was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). DEN-induced vitamin D deficient diet group had increased antioxidant enzymes’ activities. Also, there were elevated concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and inflammatory cytokines in the same group. Vitamin D diet, however, reduced oxidative stress effects through the reduction in the activities of TBARS and caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in nitric oxide concentration. Vitamin D diet significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the level of interleukin 1β and TNF-α produced in the deficiency state. These findings show that vitamin D may play an essential role in the regulation of hepatic oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.