The helpful effect of vitamin D and coconut oil in modulating the histological disorders of the splenic tissue in hyperglycemic mice

Abstract The present study aims to study the effect of vitamin D (Vit D) or / and coconut oil (Coc) on the splenic histological changes of diabetic adult mice induced by STZ. The mice were divided into 7 groups, and the experimental duration was 4 weeks. GpI: control group without any treatments; GpII&GpIII: non-diabetic groups orally received Vit D in a dose of 500 IU (6.25 ml)/kg b.w/d or Coc in a dose of 7.5 ml /kg b.w/d; GpIV: diabetic group injected i.p. with a single dose of STZ (200 mg/kg bw); Gps V,VI &VII: administration of Vit D or Coc or both together to diabetic group. The results recorded: GpII&GpIII no significant changes in the blood glucose (BG), insulin&splenic weight levels. GpIV had a significant increase in BG, significant decrease in insulin & splenic weight values. GpV recorded a modest decrease in BG, and a modest rise in insulin & a marked splenic weight atrophy; while GpVI or GpVII registered a marked decrease in BG, a rise in insulin levels & a marked splenic weight increment. Histologically, the splenic sections of control or non-diabetic mice received either Vit D or Coc demonstrated normal structure of the splenocytes. GpIV showed great numbers of giant cells, disarrangement and interference of red and white pulps, and dilated congested blood vessels. Little improvement was seen in GpV while GpVI or GpVII showed a marked improvement in the splenic tissues. In conclusion, diabetic mice received either Coc or co-dministered with Vit D demonstrated strong anti-hyperglycemic effects to recovery the glucose and insulin rates to typical levels, and restored the splenic weight and histological architecture to normal status than those given Vit D alone.