Effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on rat peritoneal mesothelial cells treated with high glucose plus lipopolysaccharide

1,25(OH)2D3, the active metabolite of vitamin D3, its activity is not limited to mineral and skeletal homeostasis. In recent years, there has been increasing evidence pointing to the role of its activity in the regulation of cell proliferation, cell differentiation and immunomodulation. Here we report lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a glycolipid that is produced and secreted by gram-negative bacteria during peritonitis, plus high glucose (HG) can significantly inhibit mesothelial cell viability while induce more apoptosis in rat peritoneal mesothelial cells (RPMC). Pretreatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 can reverse the above effect in a concentration dependent manner. HG plus LPS can down-regulate the levels of both mRNA and protein of VDR, and up-regulate the expression of TGF-β1 and TNF-α in RPMC, which can also be effectively reversed by pretreatment with 1,25(OH)2D3. The above results suggest that HG plus LPS may induce changes in RPMC’s viability and apoptosis, leading to peritoneal injury. 1,25(OH)2D3 can reverse the inhibition of cell viability, the increase of apoptotic rate and induction of fibrosis related cytokine TGF-β1 and TNF-α by HG plus LPS in RPMC, thus protect peritoneal membrane.

► Rat peritoneal mesothelial cells express mRNA and protein of VDR.
► 1,25(OH)2D3 repairs the peritoneal injury induced by HG and LPS.
► 1,25(OH)2D3 has a peritoneal protective action in a cell model.