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Türkiye Klinikleri Tıp Bilimleri Dergisi, vol.45, no.1, pp.17-23, 2025 (Scopus)
ABS TRACT Objective: The effects of vitamin D3 on anxiety are controversial. In this study, the effects of two different doses of vitamin D3 on anxiety in rats without vitamin D3 deficiency were investigated by sympathetic skin response (SSR), elevated plus maze (EPM), and open field (OF) tests. SSR measures eccrine sweat gland activity innervated with sympathetic fibers. Increased skin conductance level (SCL, a parameter of SSR), decreased open arm duration at EPM and spent time in the peripheral area at OF show anxiety status. Material and Methods: The present study was conducted with 36 Wistar male rats (aged 6-8 weeks, 200-250 g). Normal water (Sham group, Group 1), 400IU vitamin D3 (Group 2), and 1000IU vitamin D3 (Group 3) were given to rats per day with oral gavage. After 8 weeks, tonic SCL (resting), phasic SCL (with auditory stimulus), and behavioral tests were measured. Results: The Tonic SCL of Group 2 and Group 3 were higher than the sham group. There was no significant difference between the tonic SCLs of Group 2 and Group 3. The phasic SCL of Group 2 was higher than Group 1. The time spent in the center at OF in Group 2 and Group 3 was significantly lower than in Group 1. Group 3 spent less time on the open arms of the EPM. Conclusion: Administration of different doses of vitamin D to rats without vitamin D3 deficiency increased anxiety. This situation should be considered when giving/taking vitamin D3 supplements.