We looked at how vitamin D3 could help combat depression, especially in the context of chronic stress. The study involved 40 male Wistar rats, divided into different groups to compare the effects of vitamin D3, the antidepressant fluoxetine, and a combination of both.
The rats underwent 21 days of mild but unpredictable stress, simulating conditions often linked to depression. To measure the effects, we conducted several behavioral tests and collected blood samples to assess hormonal changes.
Results showed that vitamin D3 had a positive impact similar to fluoxetine on the rats' depressive behaviors. Specifically, we found that vitamin D3 improved results in key behavioral tests, suggesting it can help protect against stress-induced anxiety and depression.
Notably, the levels of corticosterone, a stress hormone, were lower in rats that received vitamin D3, indicating a protective effect. Overall, this study emphasizes the potential of vitamin D3 in alleviating depressive symptoms resulting from chronic stress.