Problem
Increasing evidence demonstrates that inflammatory cytokines are involved in LPS‐induced adverse pregnant outcomes including early embryo loss. Vitamin D3 (VitD3) has anti‐inflammatory activity. We aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin D3 (VitD3) on LPS‐induced early embryo loss in mice.
Method of study
All pregnant mice except controls were intraperitoneally (ip) injected with LPS on GD7. In VitD3 alone and LPS+VitD3 groups, pregnant mice were pretreated with VitD3 by gavage daily from GD5 to GD7.
Results
LPS caused 62.5% pregnant mice with early embryo loss. Interestingly, the rate of abortion dropped to 14.3% when pregnant mice were pretreated with VitD3. Additional experiment showed that VitD3 significantly attenuated LPS‐evoked elevation on TNF‐α, IFN‐γ, MIP‐2, and nitrate plus nitrite in maternal serum. In addition, VitD3 alleviated LPS‐induced COX‐2 expression in the decidua and attenuated the elevation of PGF2α in maternal serum. Although VitD3 had no effect on IL‐10 in maternal serum, it induced further elevation of serum IL‐10 level in LPS‐treated mice. Further analysis showed that VitD3 activated VDR signaling, simultaneously inhibited LPS‐induced nuclear translocation of NF‐κB p65 subunits in the decidua.
Conclusions
VitD3 protects mice from LPS‐induced early embryo loss at least partially through its anti‐inflammatory effects.