Experimental preeclampsia development depends on vitamin D(3) status in female wistar rats

Deficiency of vitamin D3 during pregnancy is a widespread challenge associated with increased risk of complications, particularly preeclampsia (PE), a serious condition characterized by hypertension with proteinuria. This research aimed to study the experimental preeclampsia rates in pregnant rats depending on the vitamin D3 supply. Eight-week-old female Wistar rats were divided into three experimental groups: control; vitamin D3-deficient for 60 days before mating; vitamin D3-deficient with oral vitamin D3 supplement (1000 IU/kg b.w.t) two weeks before mating. Subgroups with and without PE induction were analyzed. PE was induced by administration of Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). The blood level of vitamin D3 was measu­red using a 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 ELISA kit. Proteinuria was assessed using semi-quantitative urine test strips “Prototest”. The highest blood pressure and proteinuria levels were recorded in animals with combined vitamin D3 deficiency and induced preeclampsia. Administration of vitamin D3 contributed to normalization of hemodynamic parameters and kidney function, indicating the importance of an adequate vitamin D3 status for pregnancy health and PE prevention. Keywords: blood pressure, L-NAME, preeclampsia, proteinuria level, vitamin D3 deficiency