Vitamin D3 has antifibrotic effects on rats with epidural fibrosis

Objective: One unfavorable outcome of spinal operations is epidural fibrosis. Recurrent back pain and radiculopathy could negatively impact the patient’s quality of life. In this study, using a rat laminectomy model, we sought to examine any potential antifibrotic benefits of vitamin D3. Patients and Methods: Control, local, and systemic vitamin D3 groups (n = 6 rats per group) were randomly assigned. Laminectomy alone was carried out in the control group. Vitamin D3 application onto the dura was done in the local D3 group. Intraperitoneal delivery of the systemic vitamin D3 was carried out in the systemic vitamin D3 group. Epidural fibrosis was studied macroscopically and histopathologically four weeks later. Results: The macroscopic epidural fibrosis score was lower in the local and systemic vitamin D3 groups compared to the control group (p