Beneficial effects of vitamin D on anxiety and depression-like behaviors induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress by suppression of brain oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in rats

Molecular Basis Underlying the Therapeutic Potential of Vitamin D for the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety

“…More recently, Bakhtiari-Dovvombaygi et al (2021) also reported that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects displayed by pretreatment with vitamin D 3 (10,000 IU/kg for 28 days) in male rats underlie the ability of this vitamin to abrogate anxiety-and depressive-like behaviors induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in the elevated plus-maze and forced swimming test. Indeed, these protective effects of vitamin D were accompanied by a decrease in cortical malondialdehyde and IL-6 levels, as well as an increase in total thiol levels and enhanced SOD and catalase activity [98]. Interestingly, another study observed that following 4 weeks of CUMS, the occurrence of depressive-like behaviors was associated with an increase in 1,25(OH) 2 D and VDR expression in the hippocampus of rats, suggesting a compensatory mechanism, by which vitamin D may protect against the development of depressive-like behaviors [99].…”

“…In addition, cholecalciferol supplementation (5 mg/kg for 14 days; s.c.) was capable of attenuating anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus-maze and the light-dark box tests in ovariectomized Wistar rats [10,93]. Based on these findings, further studies have been conducted to better understand the mechanisms underlying the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of vitamin D in animal models [94,98]. Camargo et al (2018) reported that cholecalciferol [2.5 µg/kg, orally by mouth (p.o.…”

COVID-19 and neurological sequelae: Vitamin D as a possible neuroprotective and/or neuroreparative agent

“…Studies on different animal models of neuroinflammation report that vitamin D plays an important neuroprotective role against this inflammatory process [87] , [88] , [89] , [90] , some showing that adequate sun exposure may confer beneficial immunomodulatory effects against established multiple sclerosis [83] , [91] . Likewise, a combination of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D has also been shown to modulate neuroinflammatory processes in an animal model of traumatic brain injury [92] , thus underscoring the potential of vitamin D-based treatments against encephalopathies caused by SARS-CoV-2.…”

Vitamin D, Bone Metabolism, and Fracture Risk in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

“…In a cross-sectional analysis based on the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health (ALWSH), comparing women with ( n = 478) and without ( n = 8134) a self-reported diagnosis of PCOS, women with PCOS showed a higher prevalence of depression, anxiety symptoms and greater score for perceived stress [ 132 ]. A number of studies have associated low 25(OH)D levels with poor mental health, depression, and anxiety [ 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 , 137 , 138 , 139 ]. Using the validated Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score questionnaire, Moran et al reported a positive association between depression and weight, BMI, waist circumference, and highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in women with PCOS [ 140 ].…”