Vitamin D Reduces Blood Glucose Levels and HbA1c by Inducing Hepatic GLUT2 and Muscular GLUT4 in Type 1 Diabetic Mice.

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus is still a major health problem affecting individuals all over the world. Type 1 diabetes mellitus occurs due to insulin deficiency resulting from the destruction of pancreatic β-cells. This study aimed to investigate how vitamin D reduces blood glucose levels and HbA1c.

METHODS

The present study consists of 30 Balb/c mice classified into control, untreated diabetic mice, and diabetic mice treated with vitamin D.

RESULTS

Blood glucose levels, HbA1c, and lipid profiles were decreased in diabetic mice treated with vitamin D supplementation. Plasma and hepatic GLUT2 were increased in diabetic mice treated with vitamin D compared with the untreated diabetic group. Furthermore, vitamin D supplementation induces plasma and muscular GLUT4.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study concluded that vitamin D supplementation induces hepatic GLUT2 and muscular GLUT4 in type 1 diabetic mice. Induction of hepatic GLUT2 and muscular GLUT4 induces glucose uptake by the liver and skeletal muscle, respectively, then reduces blood glucose levels. This mechanism may be the way by which vitamin D reduces blood glucose levels and HbA1c in type 1 diabetes mice.