Vitamin D3 promotes motor functional recovery after experimental spinal cord injuries

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of vitamin D3 supplementation after experimental spinal cord injuries. Method: Experimental spinal cord injury models were performed in both vitamin D (VD) normal and VD deficient Sprague Dawley rats. Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) was administered to treatment groups by oral gavage two hours after complete recovery from anesthesia, while coconut oil was given as controls. Motor functions were evaluated using Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan open field locomotion scores. Immunohistochemical staining was conducted to detect the post-traumatic pathological alterations within the epicenters. Result: Vitamin D supplementation significantly improved motor functional recovery after spinal cord when comparing treated subjects with control ones, in both normal and deficient cohorts. Immunohistochemical staining showed a better preserved myelin sheath integrity as well as less vacuolation within the whiter matter in VD-treated rats, indicating a possible mechanism through which VD might act. Conclusion: Vitamin D3 supplementation improves motor functional recovery after experimental spinal cord injuries possibly through preserving myelin sheath integrity