PhD Scientific Days 2025

Poster Session I. - N: Health Sciences

The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on the Oxidative Nitrative Stress Levels of Carotid Arterial Rings in a Hyperandrogenic Rat Model

Name of the presenter

Kiss Stella Tímea

Institute/workplace of the presenter

Semmelweis University, Faculty of Health Sciences

Authors

Stella Tímea Kiss MSc¹

1: Semmelweis University, Faculty of Health Sciences

Text of the abstract

Introduction
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the most common gynecological endocrine disorders affecting approximately 8-12% of woman of reproductive age. It is often accompanied by chronic inflammation and elevated levels of oxidative-nitrative stress markers, which can aggravate existing metabolic and hormonal imbalances.
Aims .
The research aims to investigate the oxidative-nitrative stress levels in blood vessels under normal animal housing conditions in the light of hyperandrogenic state and vitamin D supplementation.
Methods
4 week old female Wistar rats were provided with standard or increased vitamin D intake for 8 weeks by per os administration of Vigantol oil. A hyperandrogenic state was induced in some of the animals by transdermal testosterone treatment (n=8 in all 4 groups) We examined the acetylcholine (Ach)-dependent relaxation of carotid artery rings using a myographic system, in addtition to endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), 3'nitrotyrosine (NT), poly (ADP ribose) polymer (PAR) and 4'hydroxynonenal (HNE) immunostaining.
Result
The hiperandrogenic state did not cause significant functional differences. Vitamin D supplementation significantly improved acetylcholine-induced relaxation (p<0.05). PAR density was significantly lower in the vitamin D supplemented group compared to the control group (p<0.005). PAR optical density was significantly higher in the group receiving both testosterone and vitamin D treatment compared to the vitamin D supplemented group (p<0.05). No significant differences were found for eNOS, COX-2, NT and HNE immunostaining.
Conclusion
The short-term hyperandrogenic state did not result in vascular dysfunction. Short-term vitamin D supplementation has a beneficial effect on the relaxation capacity of the vascular wall. Among the immunohistochemical markers affecting vascular function, neither eNOS nor COX-2 density showed significant differences. The treatment did not affect the NO household, but significantly reduced PAR density. Vitamin D administration may have a beneficial effect on oxidative-nitrative stress levels in patients with PCOS in the presence of vitamin D deficiency. Its use in the clinical setting is recommended even in the context of normal vitamin D intake.
Funding
This project is funded by the Semmelweis University department of Physiology