Comparison between the protective effects of vitamin K and vitamin A on the modulation of hypervitaminosis D3 short-term toxicity in adult albino rats

Authors: SAID SAID ELSHAMA, HOSAM-ELDIN HUSSEIN OSMAN, AYMAN EL-MEGHAWRY EL-KENAWY, HAMDI MOHAMED YOUSEEF

Abstract: Background/aim: Vitamin D₃ has increased risk of toxicity due to its common use in multivitamin preparations. Vitamin K and vitamin A play an important role in vitamin D action. The goal of the current study was to compare the protective effects of vitamin K and vitamin A on the modulation of hypervitaminosis D₃ toxicity in rats by assessing serum calcium, renal function tests, cardiac enzymes, and related histopathological changes. Materials and methods: Eighty adult albino rats were divided into four groups; each group consisted of 20 rats. The first group received water; the second received a toxic dose of vitamin D₃; the third received a toxic dose of vitamin D₃ with vitamin A; and the fourth received a toxic dose of vitamin D₃ with vitamin K. Results: Vitamin D₃ toxicity led to significant abnormalities of cardiac enzymes, renal function tests, and serum calcium associated with histopathological changes in the kidney, heart, lung, adrenal gland, and aorta. Individual administration of vitamin A or vitamin K with a toxic dose of vitamin D improved the biochemical and histopathological abnormalities of hypervitaminosis D₃. Conclusion: Vitamins A and K showed the same protective effects in the modulation of hypervitaminosis D₃ short-term toxicity.

Keywords: Vitamin D3, vitamin K, vitamin A, hypervitaminosis

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