Altered hepatic function in vitamin D-deprived rats

Rats were rendered vitamin D-deficient by housing them in a room free of ultraviolet light and maintaining them for 20 weeks on a diet devoid of only vitamin D. The vitamin D-deficiency state was confirmed by the undetectable levels of circulating vitamin D metabolites, severe hypocalcaemia and significantly reduced intestinal calcium transport. Liver function and protein metabolism in these rats were assessed by bromosulphthalein (BSP) clearance, liver histology, plasma transaminases and alkaline phosphatase, and 14C-labelled amino acid incorporation into liver and plasma proteins. Subtle alterations in hepatic function, as manifested by delayed BSP clearance, elevated levels of plasma transaminases and alkaline phosphatase, were noticed. Liver histology revealed changes consistent with periportal necrosis. Synthesis of liver and plasma proteins were reduced by 26-34% (P less than 0.01), without affecting the circulating levels of plasma proteins, suggesting reduced protein turnover in vitamin D-deprived rats. The results strongly suggest the direct/indirect involvement of vitamin D in mediating the altered liver function.