title: Effects of calcitriol on structural changes of kidney in C57BL/6J mouse model.
abstract: Thisaim of the studyisto investigate the effects of calcitriol (vitamin D) on mouse kidneys under obese conditions. Male C57BL/6J mice were maintained on either low fat diet (LFD) or high fat diet (HFD) with/without calcitriol treatment (150 IU/kg/day) for 16 consecutive weeks. Results of HFD fed mice demonstrated more weight gain and showed numerous structural abnormalities in the corticomedullary region compared to those under control and LFD conditions. Near nephropathy condition in HFD mice were characterized by damage in renal tubules, including dilatation of interstitial cells and blood vessels. Furthermore, exfoliation and shedding of proximal tubular cells takes place. The conditions further worsen by thickening the basement membrane and interstitial inflammation, as evidenced by abundant interstitial debris. Additionally, a large number of degenerated mitochondria, fat droplets, lysosomal bodies' mesangial expansion, and cellular debris were found throughout the kidney. Sustained cell hypertrophy was also evident by transmission electron microscope confirming a marked increase in degeneration of cells within renal areas. No significant variances were detected in the glomerulus' area and diameter in both low and high fat diets with/without calcitriol treatment as well as inner and outer diameters of both distal and proximal tubule in all groups. Evidently, calcitriolcould act as a protective agent to normalize kidney structure in obese condition. This study suggests that calcitriol could normalize the function of kidney and protect its structural integrity in obesity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia ; Department of Biochemistry, Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, College of Science, King Saud University Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Khalid M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Alkharfy
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Transmission Electron Microscope Unit, College of Science Research Centre, King Saud University Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Mukhtar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, College of Science, King Saud University Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia ; Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Sobhy M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Yakout
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, College of Science, King Saud University Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia ; Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Nasser M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Al-Daghri
keywords: C57BL/6J mouse; Calcitriol; high fat diet; kidney; obesity; pathological changes