Omega-3 Fatty Acid and Vitamin D Supplementations Partially Reversed Metabolic Disorders and Restored Gut Microbiota in Obese Wistar Rats

Obesity is a global public health issue linked to various comorbidities in both humans and animals. This study investigated the effects of vitamin D (VD) and omega-3 fatty acids (ω3FA) on obesity, gut dysbiosis, and metabolic alterations in Wistar rats. After 13 weeks on a standard (S) or High-Fat, High-Sugar (HFHS) diet, the rats received VD, ω3FA, a combination (VD/ω3), or a control (C) for another 13 weeks. The HFHS diet led to increased weight gain, abdominal circumference, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and gut dysbiosis. VD supplementation improved their fasting blood glucose and reduced liver damage, while ω3FA slowed BMI progression, reduced abdominal fat, liver damage, and intestinal permeability, and modulated the gut microbiota. The combination of VD/ω3 prevented weight gain, decreased abdominal circumference, improved glucose tolerance, and reduced triglycerides. This study demonstrates that VD and ω3FA, alone or combined, offer significant benefits in preventing obesity, gut dysbiosis, and metabolic alterations, with the VD/ω3 combination showing the most promise. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms behind these effects and their long-term potential in both animal and human obesity management.