Experimental rodent study demonstrates that vitamin D3 mitigates corticosteroid-induced gastric injury in rats, suggesting a protective role via HMGB1 inhibition and mucosal repair.
Long-term use of synthetic corticosteroids has a gastric damaging effect. This research examined the gastro-protective action of Vitamin D3 against corticosteroid-induced gastric injury in rats. Forty male adults Wistar albino rats were allocated into control, Vitamin D3, prednisolone-induced gastric injury (PIGI) and Vitamin D3 + PIGI groups. Total acidity and mucous content, as well as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase and inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-10 (IL-10)] were measured in stomach tissues. Also, gastric tissues were histopathologically examined and evaluated for collagen, gastric B cell lymphoma-2 protein (Bcl-2), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (e-NOS) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression. Vitamin D3 reduced stomach acidity and increased gastric mucous secretion and gastric PGE2. It significantly decreased gastric HMGB1, MDA, TNF-α and IL-1β, while increased gastric SOD activity, catalase and IL-10. Moreover, Vitamin D3 mitigated the stomach histopathological abnormalities of corticosteroids. The expressions of Bcl-2, e-NOS and PCNA in stomach were apparently upregulated. Vitamin D3 co-administration could protect against the gastric injurious effect of corticosteroids. Vitamin D3 attenuated gastric inflammation and apoptosis through downregulation of HMGB1, while also improving gastric angiogenesis and proliferation.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
El-Domiaty et al. (2026) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: