Prophylactic effect of nano vitamin D3 against fatty degeneration caused by calcium-deficient diet in parotid salivary gland: a histological and ultrastructural study

Abstract Background Poor dietary habits, such as a calcium-deficient diet, negatively impact oral health by impairing salivary gland function due to hypocalcemia. If left untreated, calcium deficiency can lead to fatal consequences. Several nano-formulations, including nano vitamin D3 supplements, h...

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Main Authors: Maha Mohamed Montaser, Dina M. Mahdy, Sara A. Hamza
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Oral Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06618-7
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author Maha Mohamed Montaser
Dina M. Mahdy
Sara A. Hamza
author_facet Maha Mohamed Montaser
Dina M. Mahdy
Sara A. Hamza
author_sort Maha Mohamed Montaser
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Poor dietary habits, such as a calcium-deficient diet, negatively impact oral health by impairing salivary gland function due to hypocalcemia. If left untreated, calcium deficiency can lead to fatal consequences. Several nano-formulations, including nano vitamin D3 supplements, have recently been introduced. However, there is limited research on the impact of vitamin D3-loaded lipid nano capsules (LNCs) on dental health maintenance. Aim This study evaluated the protective potential of vitamin D3-loaded lipid nano capsules (LNCs) versus conventional vitamin D3 in countering fatty degeneration in parotid salivary glands caused by a calcium-deficient diet. Methods Thirty-six male mature albino rats were randomly split into three groups: a calcium-deficient group, a calcium-deficient group treated with conventional vitamin D3, and another receiving vitamin D3-loaded lipid nano capsules (LNCs). The body weight was calculated weekly throughout the experimental duration. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were obtained for serological analysis of serum calcium and insulin concentration as well as blood glucose levels. Parotid glands were harvested for histological and ultrastructural examination. Digital morphometry was used to assess the number of secretory granules. All the data was collected and statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s honestly significant difference test. Results The conventional vitamin D3 group showed an incomplete protective effect, while vitamin D3-loaded lipid nano capsules (LNCs) completely preserved cellular structures, preventing the salivary tissue’s fatty deterioration. Vitamin D3-loaded lipid nano capsules (LNCs) outperformed conventional vitamin D3 when preserving the quantity of secretory granules. Conclusion Supplementing calcium-deficient diets with vitamin D3-loaded lipid nano capsules (LNCs) could protect against salivary gland damage caused by calcium deficiency in rats.
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spelling doaj-art-aa32ff80b8d5462b9ead5ce98d099cec2025-08-20T04:02:49ZengBMCBMC Oral Health1472-68312025-07-0125111810.1186/s12903-025-06618-7Prophylactic effect of nano vitamin D3 against fatty degeneration caused by calcium-deficient diet in parotid salivary gland: a histological and ultrastructural studyMaha Mohamed Montaser0Dina M. Mahdy1Sara A. Hamza2College of Dentistry, Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime TransportCollege of Pharmacy, Arab Academy of Science and Technology and Maritime TransportFaculty of Dentistry, Alexandria UniversityAbstract Background Poor dietary habits, such as a calcium-deficient diet, negatively impact oral health by impairing salivary gland function due to hypocalcemia. If left untreated, calcium deficiency can lead to fatal consequences. Several nano-formulations, including nano vitamin D3 supplements, have recently been introduced. However, there is limited research on the impact of vitamin D3-loaded lipid nano capsules (LNCs) on dental health maintenance. Aim This study evaluated the protective potential of vitamin D3-loaded lipid nano capsules (LNCs) versus conventional vitamin D3 in countering fatty degeneration in parotid salivary glands caused by a calcium-deficient diet. Methods Thirty-six male mature albino rats were randomly split into three groups: a calcium-deficient group, a calcium-deficient group treated with conventional vitamin D3, and another receiving vitamin D3-loaded lipid nano capsules (LNCs). The body weight was calculated weekly throughout the experimental duration. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were obtained for serological analysis of serum calcium and insulin concentration as well as blood glucose levels. Parotid glands were harvested for histological and ultrastructural examination. Digital morphometry was used to assess the number of secretory granules. All the data was collected and statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s honestly significant difference test. Results The conventional vitamin D3 group showed an incomplete protective effect, while vitamin D3-loaded lipid nano capsules (LNCs) completely preserved cellular structures, preventing the salivary tissue’s fatty deterioration. Vitamin D3-loaded lipid nano capsules (LNCs) outperformed conventional vitamin D3 when preserving the quantity of secretory granules. Conclusion Supplementing calcium-deficient diets with vitamin D3-loaded lipid nano capsules (LNCs) could protect against salivary gland damage caused by calcium deficiency in rats.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06618-7CalciumParotid salivary glandCalcium-deficient dietConventional vitamin D3Vitamin D3-loaded lipid nano capsules (LNCs)Secretory granules
spellingShingle Maha Mohamed Montaser
Dina M. Mahdy
Sara A. Hamza
Prophylactic effect of nano vitamin D3 against fatty degeneration caused by calcium-deficient diet in parotid salivary gland: a histological and ultrastructural study
BMC Oral Health
Calcium
Parotid salivary gland
Calcium-deficient diet
Conventional vitamin D3
Vitamin D3-loaded lipid nano capsules (LNCs)
Secretory granules
title Prophylactic effect of nano vitamin D3 against fatty degeneration caused by calcium-deficient diet in parotid salivary gland: a histological and ultrastructural study
title_full Prophylactic effect of nano vitamin D3 against fatty degeneration caused by calcium-deficient diet in parotid salivary gland: a histological and ultrastructural study
title_fullStr Prophylactic effect of nano vitamin D3 against fatty degeneration caused by calcium-deficient diet in parotid salivary gland: a histological and ultrastructural study
title_full_unstemmed Prophylactic effect of nano vitamin D3 against fatty degeneration caused by calcium-deficient diet in parotid salivary gland: a histological and ultrastructural study
title_short Prophylactic effect of nano vitamin D3 against fatty degeneration caused by calcium-deficient diet in parotid salivary gland: a histological and ultrastructural study
title_sort prophylactic effect of nano vitamin d3 against fatty degeneration caused by calcium deficient diet in parotid salivary gland a histological and ultrastructural study
topic Calcium
Parotid salivary gland
Calcium-deficient diet
Conventional vitamin D3
Vitamin D3-loaded lipid nano capsules (LNCs)
Secretory granules
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06618-7
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