BMC Oral Health. 2026 Jun 29;26(1):1128. doi: 10.1186/s12903-026-08971-7.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study was designed to inspect the effects of vitamin D3 overdose on the submandibular salivary gland of Albino rats and to investigate the possible protective role of vitamin K1 after one month, as few studies have addressed its histopathological effects.
METHODS: This study was carried out on 60 adult male Albino rats, and they were divided into three groups. Group I (control): received physiological saline. Group II (vitamin D3 overdose): received 1 ml/kg/day cholecalciferol (200 IU) for 30 days. Group III (vitamin D3 + vitamin K1): received the same vitamin D3 dose plus vitamin K1 (15 mg/kg/day) for 30 days. Blood samples were analyzed for baseline and terminal levels of total and ionized calcium. Specimens were examined using Hematoxylin and eosin, alizarin red stain, transmission electron microscopes, and histomorphometric analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance, followed by a post hoc test for pairwise comparisons, and paired t-test for intra-group comparison between baseline and terminal values.
RESULTS: examination of group II revealed pronounced structural alterations, notably acinar atrophy, which was statistically validated by a significant reduction in acinar circumference (p-value = 0.024*), alongside ductal degeneration, vascular congestion, and tissue calcification as detected by alizarin red stain. These histopathological changes correlated with elevated serum calcium levels (p-value = 0.001**). In contrast, co-treatment with vitamin K1 in group III substantially mitigated these pathological effects, demonstrating preservation of acinar and ductal structures, attenuation of calcific deposits, and partial normalization of serum calcium levels (p-value = 0.004*).
CONCLUSIONS: Chronic administration vitamin D₃ overdose triggered degenerative, inflammatory, and calcific changes in the SMG. Also, co-administration of vitamin K1 diminished vitamin D3-induced histopathological changes and hypercalcemia.
PMID:42366346 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-026-08971-7
