OBJECTIVE

1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 has an important role in growth and differentation of keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium. Cornifin α as a marker of vaginal epithelial differentiation distribution in vagina epithelium has not been studied. We examined distribution of VDR and cornifin α in vagina epithelium in ovariectomized and treated vit D rats

Study design

Bilateral ovariectomies were performed in 20 mature non-pregnant Wistar female rats. All the animals were divided into 2 groups: control group I untreated and group II i.m. 0,025µg 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 injected for three days of a week for 2 weeks. In 15 days after the last injection, vaginas were removed and processed for immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Recorded epithelial differentiation, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor and cornifin α expression in vaginal epithelium of control and vitamin D3 treated rats. In treated animals vaginal epithelium changed into highly- stratified keratinizing layers. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor and cornifin α as a marker of squamous differentiation is present in ovariectomized rats treated with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. In contrast, cornifin α and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor were absent in all layers of vaginal epithelium in control group.

Discussion

The results indicate that 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 induced proliferation of vaginal epithelium which was consistent with the cornifin α expression. We demonstrated for the first time that 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 up-regulated 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor expression in vaginal epithelium.

Keywords: Vitamin D, vagina, cornifin a, VDR, immunohistochemistry