Effect of Vitamin D3 on Depressive Behaviors of Rats Exposed to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress

Depression is a psychiatric disorder that negatively affects how person feels, thinks, and acts. Several studies have reported positive association between vitamin D (VD) deficiency depression. Therefore, we aimed to examine the effects of intraperitoneal injection VD3, fluoxetine (antidepressant), combination VD3 + on rat model chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). A total 40 male Wistar rats (224–296 g) were divided into five groups (n = 8 each) as follows: (1) control group, (2) CUMS (3) group received (10 μg/kg), (4) (5 mg/kg), (5) both μg/kg) mg/kg). The was produced by exposing frequent social physical stressors for 21 days. In addition, blood samples collected determine corticosterone serum VD levels. Also, behavioral tests conducted, including sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swimming (FST), tail suspension (TST), open field (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM). Our results show had similar depressive behavior when measured three tests, namely SPT, FST, OFT (p < 0.001). Additionally, protective effect against depression fluoxetine. Corticosterone levels lower in than 0.000). conclusion, has anxiety behaviors rats.