Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Physiology

There is an emerging evidence of the neuroprotective roles for vitamin D. However its role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2 DM) and its exact mechanism of action in neuroprotection are still uncertain. The present work was designed to examine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on insulin sensitivity and nerve conduction velocity with and without insulin treatment in diabetic model. The study was conducted on 50 male adult rats. They were divided into five groups, Group 1:Control group, Group 2: Diabetic group, in which T2DM was induced; Group 3: Diabetic insulin treated group in which diabetic rats were treated with insulin alone; Group 4:Diabetic vitamin D treated group in which diabetic rats were treated with vitamin D alone and finally, Group 5: Diabetic with combined insulin and vitamin D treatment group. At the end of the experimental period, blood samples were taken from all animals of all groups for measurement of serum glucose and insulin, insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR),together with the oxidative stress marker : Malondialdehyde (MDA) and inflammatory markers: Interleukins 1Ý and10 (IL1Ý and IL10). VDR gene expression in pancreatic (VDR-P) and sciatic nerve (VDR-N) tissues were estimated. In addition Nerve conduction velocity was performed on dissected sciatic nerve

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