BACKGROUND: Vitamin D possesses an important role in the maintenance and health of broiler chickens. Herbal essential oils (EOs) have been proposed as a suitable alternative to chemical drugs in intensive production management systems for better performance of broilers with slight side effects and admirable therapeutic properties.
OBJECTIVE: This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding cholecalciferol (VD) in combination of Satureja rechingeri EO (SREO) on growth performance, haematological indicators and immunological response of broilers.
METHODS: A total of 540 1-day-old mixed-sex broiler chickens (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design with a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Experimental treatments included different concentrations of cholecalciferol (VD) (0, 2000 and 4000 IU/kg = 0, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg) and SREO (0, 200 and 400 mg/kg) on growth performance, haematological indicators and immunological responses of broiler chickens were investigated.
RESULTS: The results showed that the chicken fed diet supplemented with 0.1 mg/kg VD (VD0.1) in combination of 200 mg/kg SREO (SREO200) increased the feed intake during the overall and first 14-day periods of the trial when compared with other dietary treatments. Interaction of VD0.1 × SREO200 led to more body weight gain (BWG) in the grower and finisher phases than all other feed treatment groups. The blood level of lymphocyte at day 42, heterophil at days 28 and 42 and heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio at 14 and 28 days of age were affected by VD0.1 + SREO200 in comparison with VD0 + SREO0 group. Feeding VD and/or SREO decreased triglyceride, cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein concentrations at days 28 and 42 of the study, especially in VD0.1 + SREO200 treatment. Feeding VD0.1 + SREO200 also resulted in higher serum status of immunoglobulin M, lysozymes and phagocytic percentage among all treatments.
CONCLUSIONS: Considering the outcomes, it is suggested that the combination of suitable concentration of VD and EO of the plant had favourable effects on the immune system and performance criteria of broiler chickens.

This study involved fortifying pumpkin slices with calcium and vitamin D3 using vacuum impregnation (VI) pre-treatment and assessing the quality characteristics of the resulting desserts/jams. Slices were subjected to immersion or VI pre-treatments for 30, 60, and 90 min in a solution containing calcium oxide and vitamin D3. Calcium ions contributed to the hardness of desserts, with VI reducing processing time. The highest impregnated calcium (58.17 mg/100 g fw) and vitamin D3 contents (6.02 mg/100 g dm) were determined in slices pre-treated by VI for 90 min. VI was more effective than immersion in terms of calcium and vitamin D3 transition into pumpkin tissues. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images indicated that calcium oxide particles were noticeable in slices pre-treated by VI. Immersing fruit slices for 90 min produced desserts with a textural hardness of 11.04 N, while VI pre-treatment for the same duration increased their hardness value to 18.92 N. Desserts produced with VI-pre-treated slices exhibited superior texture and sensory attributes, with no adverse taste resulting from calcium oxide. In conclusion, VI pre-treatment shows significant potential for the industrial production of desserts/jams with enhanced structural integrity for fruits.

Vitamin D3 plays a crucial role in female reproduction. As research progresses, the mechanisms of action of vitamin D3 on follicular development have been widely discussed. Firstly, key enzymes involved in the synthesis and metabolism of vitamin D3 have been discovered in the ovary, suggesting that vitamin D3 can be synthesized and metabolized locally within the ovary. Additionally, the detection of vitamin D3 receptors (VDR) in follicles suggests that vitamin D3 may exert its effects by binding specifically to these receptors during follicular development. Further research indicates that vitamin D3 promotes follicular growth by enhancing the development of granulosa cells (GCs) and oocytes. Currently, the mechanism of action of vitamin D3 in follicular development is becoming increasingly clear. Vitamin D3 promotes oocyte development by regulating molecules involved in meiotic arrest in oocytes. It also enhances granulosa cell proliferation by stimulating steroid hormone synthesis and cell cycle regulation. Additionally, vitamin D3 exerts anti-inflammatory effects by reducing oxidative stress and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), mitigating the detrimental effects of inflammation on follicular development. These functions of vitamin D3 have clinical applications, such as in treating polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), improving female fertility, and enhancing outcomes in in vitro fertilization (IVF). This review summarizes the research progress on the role and mechanisms of vitamin D3 in follicular development and briefly summarizes its clinical applications.

Vitamin D3 deficiency and insufficiency are becoming a common global issue for us, especially in the most industrially developed countries. The only acknowledged activity of vitamin D3 in vertebrates is to promote the absorption of calcium and, therefore, allow for the mineralization of bones. Accordingly, its deficiency is associated with diseases such as rickets. Other numerous vital functions associated with vitamin D3 are yet to be considered, and the function of vitamin D2 in plants is unknown. Thus, 100 years after its discovery, the importance of vitamin D still seems to be unacknowledged (except for rickets), with little attention given to its decrease throughout the world. In this review, I suggest that vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency may be linked to the westernized lifestyle in more developed countries. Furthermore, I suggest that, rather than the calcemic activity, the main function of vitamin D is, in general, that of strengthening living organisms. I conclude with the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency may represent a marker for a greater risk of chronic inflammatory diseases and a shorter life expectancy.

UNASSIGNED: Kawasaki Disease (KD) is a pediatric vasculitic disorder characterized by systemic small vasculitis, notably coronary arteritis, with unclear pathogenesis. This explorative case-control study investigated the association between folic acid (FA), vitamin D3 (VD3), and vitamin B12 (VB12) levels and the different types of Kawasaki Disease, as well as the incidence of coronary artery lesions (CALs).
UNASSIGNED: In this explorative case control study, 365 KD children admitted to our hospital from January 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 were included as the KD group. Simultaneously, 365 healthy children who received physical examination during the same period were included as the control group. The KD group was divided into typical KD group and incomplete KD group (IKD group), CALs group and non-CALS group, and IVIG sensitive group and IVIG resistant group. The children with CALs were divided into small tumor group, medium tumor group and large tumor group. Serum levels of FA, VB12, and VD3 were compared across all groups.
UNASSIGNED: Serum levels of FA and VD3 were significantly decreased in both the KD and CALs groups (p < 0.05), and both factors were identified as independent risk factors for KD and CALs. Similarly, reduced serum VD3 levels were observed in the IKD and IVIG-resistant groups (p < 0.05), with VD3 also being an independent risk factor for both IKD and IVIG resistance. Additionally, lower serum FA levels were noted in the group with large aneurysms (p < 0.05), establishing FA as an independent risk factor for aneurysm size.
UNASSIGNED: Serum levels of folic FA and vitamin VD3 were significantly reduced in children with KD. Furthermore, these reductions were more pronounced in children with IKD and CALs. This pattern suggests that lower FA and VD3 levels may increase the risk of more severe coronary lesions in KD patients. Therefore, monitoring these biomarkers could provide valuable insights for early clinical diagnosis and intervention.

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, a subset of Vα7.2+ T cells, are a crucial link between innate and adaptive immunity, responding to various stimuli through TCR-dependent and independent pathways. We investigated the responses of MAIT cells and Vα7.2+/CD161- T cells to different stimuli and evaluated the effects of Cyclosporin A (CsA) and Vitamin D3 (VitD). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors were stimulated with various agents (PMA/Ionomycin, 5-OP-RU, 5-OP-RU/IL-12/IL-33) with or without CsA and VitD. Flow cytometric analysis assessed surface markers and intracellular cytokine production. Under steady-state conditions, MAIT cells displayed elevated expression of CCR6 and IL-13. They showed upregulated activation and exhaustion markers after activation, producing IFNγ, TNFα, and TNFα/GzB. CsA significantly inhibited MAIT cell activation and cytokine production. Conversely, Vα7.2+/CD161- T cells exhibited distinct responses, showing negligible responses to 5-OP-RU ligand but increased cytokine production upon PMA stimulation. Our study underscores the distinct nature of MAIT cells compared to Vα7.2+/CD161- T cells, which resemble conventional T cells. CsA emerges as a potent immunosuppressive agent, inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine production in MAIT cells. At the same time, VitD supports MAIT cell activation and IL-13 production, shedding light on potential therapeutic avenues for immune modulation.

BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most prevalent blood cancer after non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is identified by the excessive production of abnormal monoclonal immunoglobulins, which can result in various clinical symptoms such as destructive bone lesions, renal dysfunction, anemia, and immunodeficiency. The current study aims to evaluate the serum levels of carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks 1 (CTX-1), Fibulin-1, vitamin D3, LDH, and albumin in MM patients and their significance for early diagnosis.
METHODS: This study included 30 healthy controls (11 males, 19 females) and 60 patients with multiple myeloma (37 males and 23 females), aged between 40-60 years. Five-milliliter blood samples were collected and stored at -20°C. Afterward, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to estimate the concentrations of CTX-1, Fibulin-1, and vitamin D3. Additionally, LDH and albumin levels were determined using the automated biochemistry analyzer.
RESULTS: This study revealed that the majority of patients with multiple myeloma are between the ages of 51 and 60 years. The serum concentrations of CTX-1, Fibulin-1, and LDH were significantly increased in the multiple myeloma patients compared to the healthy control group. In contrast, the serum level of vitamin D3 was significantly decreased in patients with MM.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the incidence of multiple myeloma is higher in males than in females. Additionally, the serum concentrations of CTX-1 and Fibulin-1 were significantly higher in the multiple myeloma patients compared to the healthy control group, indicating their potential for early detection and as therapeutic targets.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, vitamin D has attracted interest due to its immunomodulatory properties. Numerous studies show a correlation between vitamin D levels and COVID-19 cases and mortality. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis in order to assess the relationship between vitamin D3 supplementation and COVID-19 severity. We included 13 randomized clinical trials that contained the analyzed endpoints: length of COVID-19 hospitalization, number of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, length of stay in the ICU, number of cases requiring any supplemental oxygenation, duration of any supplemental oxygenation, number of overall mortality and number of deaths associated with COVID-19. The relative risk with 95% confidence interval (CI) and the mean difference with 95% CI were calculated to compare the effect. A random effects model was used to calculate effect sizes. Our meta-analysis showed a positive effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on ICU admission (RR = 0.73; 95% CI [0.57; 0.95], p = 0.02, I2 = 19.6%) and mortality associated with COVID-19 among patients (RR = 0.56; 95% CI [0.34; 0.91]; p = 0.02; I2 = 0%). Vitamin D3 supplementation may potentially reduce the risk of ICU admission and death associated with COVID-19.

The inhalation of gasoline vapors (GV) is associated with developing various pathologies. Particularly, oil refinery and gas station workers are at a greater risk of developing lung cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and hematological disorders, including acute myeloid leukemia. Therefore, preventing the harmful effects of GV and alleviating their consequences appear to be important and timely issues. In this study, we investigated the potential of vitamin D3, turmeric powder, and their combination to ameliorate the toxicity of gasoline fumes in rats. Separate groups of animals fed with a standard rodent diet, with or without the supplementation of vitamin D3 (750 IU/kg body weight) and/or turmeric powder (0.5%, w/w, in food), were untreated or treated with GV (11.5 ± 1.3 cm3/h/m3/day) for 30, 60, or 90 days. Changes in the body weight were monitored weekly. Histological, biochemical, and hematological parameters were determined at the end of each treatment period. While the exposure of rats to GV resulted in a time-dependent reduction in body weight, supplementation with vitamin D3, but not with turmeric root powder or their combination, partially prevented weight loss. Macroscopical and histological analyses showed pronounced time-dependent changes in the organs and tissues of GV-treated rats. These included alveolar wall collapse in the lungs, the destruction of the lobular structure and hepatocytolysis in the liver, the shrinkage and fragmentation of glomeruli in the kidneys, and the disorganization of the lymphoid follicles in the spleen. However, co-treatment with the nutritional supplements tested, especially vitamin D3, noticeably alleviated the above conditions. This was accompanied by a significant improvement in the blood chemistry and hematological parameters. Collectively, our results demonstrate that the harmful effects of environmental exposure to GV can be reduced upon supplementation of vitamin D3. The fact that the protective activity of vitamin D3 alone was higher than that of turmeric root powder or the combined treatment suggests that combinations of these supplements may not always be more beneficial than each agent applied separately.

BACKGROUND: Limited studies are available on vitamin D supplementation in dogs. This study evaluates the effect of a commercial vitamin D3 supplement on serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D as well as selected biochemical and hematological parameters in healthy dogs. Eight intact male adult dogs with a mean body weight of 20 kg from mixed breeds were included in the study. After adaptation period, dogs received vitamin D3 supplement at the dose of 50 IU/kg body weight per day. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 14, 28 and 42 of supplementation. Food was used for analysis of vitamin D3 content.
RESULTS: Significant increase in serum level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 was detected since day 14 of supplementation. Changes in serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 concentration during time showed an upward significance (p < 0.05). Vitamin D3 content of the food was 2900 IU/kg dry matter. Changes in serum phosphorus levels were upward significant. No dog showed calcium or phosphorus levels above the highest reference level. Liver and kidney parameters remained in the reference range during the experiment. A gradual significant increase was observed in hemoglobin and hematocrit which was started from day 14. Vitamin D3 supplementation had no significant effect on neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes percent during the study.
CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D3 supplementation at 50 IU/kg BW daily, increases serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D in healthy dogs fed with a diet containing proper amount of this vitamin. It also increases hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in a time dependent manner without inducing adverse effects.