Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 6, 2025
A Simple Device to Rapidly Prepare Whole Mounts of the Mouse Intestine
Published on: October 27, 2015
Long-Term Vitamin D Deficiency Results in the Inhibition of Cell Proliferation and Alteration of Multiple Gastric
Shaima Sirajudeen1,2, Iltaf Shah2,3, Mohammed Akli Ayoub1
1Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates.
Abstract:
Over one billion people globally are vitamin D (VD) deficient. Studies on the biological roles of VD are numerous but very little on the stomach. This project aims to understand how gastric homeostasis is affected by VD deficiency caused by prolonged exposure to darkness alone or combined with VD deficient diet. Three groups of C57/BL6 mice were subjected to different light exposure conditions and diets for 12 months (n = 8−12/group): control—12 h/12 h light/dark SDL (Standard Diet/Light), 24 h dark SDD (Standard Diet/Dark), and 24 h dark VDD (VD deficient diet/Dark). Stomach samples were collected for different multi-label lectin-/immuno-histochemical and qRT-PCR analyses, and the serum for LC-MS-MS. We found that the membrane VD receptor is expressed widely in the stomach when compared to nuclear VD receptors. Compared to SDL, VDD mice developed mucous cell expansion with increased mucins-mRNA (3.27 ± 2.73 (p < 0.05)) increased apoptotic cells, 15 ± 7 (p ≤ 0.001)); decreased cell proliferation, 4 ± 4 (p < 0.05)) and decreased acid secretion 33 ± 2 μEq/kg (p ≤ 0.0001)). Interestingly, mice exposed to full darkness developed mild VD deficiency with higher VD epimer levels: 11.9 ± 2.08 ng/mL (p ≤ 0.0001)), expansion in zymogenic cell number (16 ± 3 (p ≤ 0.01)), and a reduction in acid secretion (18 ± 2 μEq/kg (p ≤ 0.0001)). In conclusion, changes in light exposure or VD levels have serious physiological effects on the gastric mucosa, which should be considered during the management of gastric disorders.
Insights
Vitamin D deficiency and darkness impact gastric homeostasis. Studies show altered cell function, mucin production, and reduced acid secretion in mice, highlighting the stomach
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Over one billion people globally experience vitamin D (VD) deficiency.
- The stomach's physiological response to VD levels and light exposure remains understudied.
- Gastric homeostasis is crucial for digestive health and overall well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of VD deficiency and prolonged darkness on gastric homeostasis in mice.
- To analyze changes in gastric mucosal cells, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and acid secretion.
- To compare the expression of membrane and nuclear VD receptors in the stomach.
Main Methods:
- Three groups of C57/BL6 mice were maintained under controlled light/dark cycles and diets (standard or VD-deficient) for 12 months.
- Stomach tissues were analyzed using multi-label lectin/immuno-histochemistry and qRT-PCR.
- Serum VD levels were quantified using LC-MS-MS.
Main Results:
- Membrane VD receptors were more widely expressed in the stomach than nuclear receptors.
- VD-deficient diet mice showed increased mucous cell expansion, mucin mRNA, and apoptosis, with decreased cell proliferation and acid secretion compared to controls.
- Prolonged darkness alone induced mild VD deficiency, increased zymogenic cells, and reduced acid secretion.
Conclusions:
- Altered light exposure and VD levels significantly affect gastric mucosal physiology.
- Changes include alterations in cell turnover, mucin production, and acid secretion.
- These findings underscore the importance of considering VD status and light exposure in managing gastric disorders.
More Related Videos
11:48Mouse- and Human-derived Primary Gastric Epithelial Monolayer Culture for the Study of Regeneration
Published on: May 7, 2018
07:05Important Endpoints and Proliferative Markers to Assess Small Intestinal Injury and Adaptation using a Mouse Model of Chemotherapy-Induced Mucositis
Published on: May 12, 2019
