Effect of vitamin D supplementation on gastric emptying in rat model of depression

Background: By 2030, depression is predicted to rank among the top three diseases in terms of burden. Previous research showed controversies about vitamin D's impact on depression and its correlation with altered cognitive function and stomach emptying. We therefore carry out this research to look into this effect. Aim: To investigate the influence of vitamin D on behavior and neurochemical parameters and gastric emptying in a rat model of restraint stress induced depression. Methods: This study was conducted in in the animal unit of the physiology department, faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University on 36 healthy, adult male wistar albino rats. Rats were divided into: group 1 (n=9): Sedentary intact, group 2 (n=9):Depression induced by restraint stress, group 3 (n=9): (depression induced+ prophylactic vitamin D) and group 4 (n=9): (depression induced+ curative vitamin D). Results: Group 2 (restraint induced depression group) showed a significant decrease in gastric empting when compared to that of group 1. Group 3 (preventive vitamin D group) showed a significant increase in gastric empting when compared to that of group 2 and no significance when compared to that of group 1. Conclusion: Vitamin D has a preventative impact against chronic restraint stress-induced behavioral and biochemical abnormalities and relieving somatic symptoms as GIT manifestations.