The effects of Vitamin D supplementation on healthy and hypercholesterolemic rabbits on levels of OSI and paraoxonase

Objective: Conflicting data are available in literature regarding the effects of Vitamin D (VitD) supplementation diet on lipid panel. Therefore, we had the purpose to evaluate the effects of VitD supplementation on lipid panel by a controlled experimental study, and those of VitD supplementation on oxidative stress index (OSI) and paraoxonase- 1 (PON1) values in healthy and hypercholesterolemic male rabbits. Methods: Thirty New Zealand rabbits were randomly separated into control, VD, HC +VD and HC groups. Control and VD groups were fed with standard chow, whereas HC +VD and HC groups were fed with 0.5% cholesterol chow a period of 8 weeks. During this period, VD and HC +VD groups were orally administered with 300 IU/kg/day VitD. Results: The increase in serum total cholesterol (TC) and OSI level of HC group were significant compared to those in HC +VD group. Decreases in serum HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and TC levels of VD group were significant within the groups. Conclusion: Without any doubt it is important that applied VitD level should be in the ideal range for healthy living. However, it is also necessary to increase the serum HDL-C level (and hence PON1), which is decreases as a result of VitD supplementation. Therefore, we believe that during VitD supplementation, regular physical activity should be performed to increases serum HDL-C.