Ultrastructural study of hypervitaminosis D induced arterial calcification in Wistar rats

Hypervitaminosis D produces extensive vascular alterations which are similar to Monckeberg's calcinosis. The present study was undertaken to examine early changes in vascular ultrastructure of rats receiving tap water supplemented with either calcium chloride or a relatively low dosage of irradiated ergocalciferol ad libitum for 21 days. Untreated rats received normal tap water ad libitum. A significant increase in serum calcium levels was obtained in hypervitaminosis D treated rats. Calcium deposits were seen near the internal elastic lamina, within new elastic elements and around degenerating smooth muscle cell fragments in the extracellular organic matrix of hypervitaminosis D treated rats. Calcium deposits were not detected in vascular sections from untreated rats or those receiving calcium chloride. A complex pathogenesis of vascular lesions produced by hypervitaminosis is suggested. One possible pathogenic mechanism for calcification of elastic matrix may be via altered microfibrils. Our data support this hypothesis and indicate that much lower levels of vitamin D administration, compared to other reports, produce considerable vascular calcinosis in this experimental preparation. Several hypotheses regarding possible mechanisms of pathologic calcification are discussed.