Abstract

To investigate the effect of vitamin D deficiency on metabolic diseases induced by high-fat diet in young male rats and its possible mechanism. Twenty four 4 w old male mice were randomly divided into three groups; control group (group A), model group (group B) and experimental group (group C). The mice in the group A were given normal diet, the mice in the group B were given high-fat diet, and the mice in the group C were given high-fat diet plus vitamin D deficiency. The changes of body length, body weight and liver mass of mice in each group were observed; fasting blood samples were collected to measure the changes of blood glucose and blood lipids; hepatic steatosis and lipid droplet content were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining; serum interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-8 levels were compared by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3, ASC, pro-caspase-1, interleukin-1 beta and gasdermin D protein levels in three groups were detected by Western blot. Compared with the group A, the body weight, liver weight, blood glucose and blood lipid increased in the group B, while these in the group C decreased compared with the group B. The liver tissue of the group B and the group C showed steatosis and the content of lipid droplets increased under microscope. Vitamin D deficiency aggravates metabolic diseases in young male rats induced by high-fat diet, which is mainly related to inflammatory response and activation of cell pyrogenesis pathway. Through the supplement of vitamin D deficiency, it can effectively reduce the occurrence of metabolic diseases such as weight, blood glucose, blood lipids and liver steatosis caused by high fat diet.