European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Acute kidney injury is a common complication of myocardial infarction (MI) and
scarce data were available on the effect of vitamin D3 on heart and kidney functions in MI. In
this study, we investigated the potential protective effect of vitamin D3 on cardiorenal
functions in isoproterenol-induced MI in rats and the possible mechanisms involved. It was
shown that in MI rats, there was a significant increase in serum levels of (creatine kinase
myoglobin binding, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, malondialdehyde, interlukin-6 and
tumor necrosis factor alpha) and urine levels of (total protein and albumin), with a significant
decrease in urine creatinine level, creatinine clearance and serum levels of [reduced
glutathione and 1, 25 dihydroxy vitamin D] in comparison with the control rats. On treatment
of rats with vitamin D3 prior to induction of MI, these changes were significantly improved in
comparison with the MI rats. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations of
heart and kidney in MI rats reflected the deterioration in their structures with presence of
marked apoptosis which were ameliorated on treatment of rats with vitamin D3 prior to
induction of MI. In conclusion, vitamin D3 has a protective effect on heart and kidney
functions in the rat model of myocardial infarction and this beneficial effect could be related
to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptoticactions