Experimental Evaluation of Vitamin - D Supplementation on Memory and Learning Using Different Animal Models in Albino Rat

Aim: We conducted this study with the aim to investigate the effect of vitamin D3 on spatial learning and memory in healthy young albino rat.

Study Design: Experimental evaluation.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology, Smt. Kashibai Navale Medical College and General Hospital (SKNMCGH), Pune, between October 2019 to February 2020.

Methodology: All the pharmacological experiments were conducted using Wistar albino rats (n=6), weighing between 100 g – 150 g. Total 18 animals (9 male and 9 female) were screened and marked into 3 different groups (6 in each group) Control (Normal saline 10 ml/kg), Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol 1000 IU/kg) and standard (Piracetam 200 mg/kg). Drugs were administered per os for 21 days. Elevated Plus Maze (Transfer Latency), Open Field Test (Rearing, Locomotion), Radial Arm Maze (Working and Reference memory) were used as amnesic models and their parameters for evaluation of this study.

Results: After 21 days of treatment among all the three groups, Transfer Latency (p=9.55) in elevated plus maze, Working memory (p=0.454) and Reference memory (p=0.929) observed in radial 8 arm maze were non significant. In open field apparatus pellets count was significant (0.010), rest all parameters were non significant.

Conclusion: The result of study suggests that no significant beneficial effect of Vitamin D was seen on various learning models as assessed by Elevated Plus Maze, Radial Arm Maze, Open Field Test.