Vitamin D3 intake as modulator for the early biomarkers of myocardial tissue injury in diabetic hyperlipidaemic rats.

Context: Myocardial cell death occurs within hours following the onset of myocardial ischaemia and its chief cause is atherosclerosis. There is a link between vitamin D3 deficiency and many cardiovascular risk factors.
Objective: This study compared the effect of vitamin D3 on early biomarkers of myocardial injury, to that of atorvastatin.
Methods: Diabetic hyperlipidaemia was induced in Wistar rats, which were divided into 3 groups: diabetic hyperlipidaemic control, diabetic hyperlipidaemic rats treated with atorvastatin and diabetic hyperlipidaemic rats treated with vitamin D3. Blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin and lipid profile were evaluated. Markers of myocardial injury were examined including cardiac troponin, heart fatty acid binding protein (HFABP) and C-terminal pro-endothelin-1 (CT-pro-ET-1).
Results: Vitamin D3 and atorvastatin intake improved lipid profile and glucose homeostasis, and reduced levels of predictive biomarkers of myocardial injury.
Conclusion: Vitamin D3 can be used in a suitable dose as a safe and protective candidate against myocardial injury.