Investigating Effects of Vitamin D Injection during a Course of Endurance Training On Anthropometrical Parameters of Wistar Rats with High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this research was to determine effects of vitamin D supplementation during a course of endurance training on anthropometrical parameters of Wistar rats exposed to a high-fat diet. Methods: In this experimental study, 38 Wistar rats aged 5-6 weeks were assigned to five groups: 1. Control with normal diet (n=5), 2. Control with high-fat diet (n=5), 3. High-fat diet and vitamin D supplementation (n=10), 4. High-fat diet and endurance training (n=10), and 5. High-fat diet, endurance training and vitamin D supplementation (n=10). The animals were subjected to a high-fat diet (40%) for 13 weeks, followed by 12 weeks of exercise and vitamin D supplementation. Results: Weight (P=0.02), BMI (P=0.001), Lee index (P=0.01) and energy efficiency (P=0.001) differed significantly between groups 1 and 2. Feed efficiency (P=0.03) and energy efficiency (P=0.01) of groups 2, 3 and 4 were significantly different from that of the control group. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that endurance training and vitamin D supplementation could significantly decrease some anthropometric indices.