Evaluation of the effect of vitamin D on the placenta, kidney, and growth of developing fetuses in preeclamptic mice

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Abstract

Background
Preeclampsia (PE) is a complicated syndrome that leads to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. PE is defined by the elevation of the mother’s blood pressure (hypertension) and the presence of proteinuria.
Objective
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D on 18-day-old mice fetuses in which the PE syndrome was induced in the mother by L-NG-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME).
Materials and methods
The mice grouping was divided as: (a) the control group (group I), (b) the female pregnant mice of the second group intraperitoneally injected with 50 mg/kg/day of L-NAME (group II), (c) the female pregnant mice of the third group were administered orally with 50 IU/kg/day of vitamin D (group III), and (d) the female pregnant mice of the fourth group were intraperitoneally injected with 50 mg/kg/day L-NAME and then orally, with 50 IU/kg/day vitamin D (group IV). All groups were treated daily from 7 to 14 days of gestation.
Results and conclusion
The placenta of mice injected with L-NAME showed different phases of histopathological changes in the basal and labyrinth zone. Meanwhile, the kidney in 18-day-old fetuses maternally injected with L-NAME showed an apparent enlargement in the glomerular area and the presence of hemorrhages among the tubules. However, the 18-day-old fetuses maternally treated with L-NAME and vitamin D (group IV) showed mild injury. This study concluded that induced PE-like symptoms in pregnant mice by L-NAME caused increased fetal growth restriction, impairment of placental histology, and histopathology of the kidneys of fetuses. On the other hand, vitamin D ameliorated the effect of L-NAME and reduced the risk of PE.

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