Vitamin D Supplementation Reduces Functional Impairment of Hippocampus Caused by Dexamethasone

Abstract

The use of dexamethasone in premature infants has adverse effects on neurological function. Vitamin D is considered to be vital nutrient for neurological diseases. Pups were randomly divided into the control, model and treated groups. Treated group received vitamin D on postnatal day1 (60,000 IU/kg). Following, model and treated group received dexamethasone from postnatal day 2 to postnatal day 4 following tapering doses (0.5, 0.3, and 0.1 mg/kg.d, respectively). Pups’ neurological function was assessed by wire-hanging test and Morris water maze task. And apoptotic cells in hippocampus were counted. Vitamin D effectively improved spatial learning and memory impairment induced by dexamethasone. The protective effects of vitamin D may be related to the modulation of apoptosis. Vitamin D may therefore have a role in bronchopulmonary dysplasia treatment process.