Elsevier

Neuroscience Letters

Volume 343, Issue 2, 5 June 2003, Pages 139-143
Neuroscience Letters

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 induces nerve growth factor, promotes neurite outgrowth and inhibits mitosis in embryonic rat hippocampal neurons

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3940(03)00303-3Get rights and content

Abstract

There is an accumulation of evidence implicating a role for vitamin D3 in the developing brain. The receptor for this seco-steroid is expressed in both neurons and glial cells, it induces nerve growth factor (NGF) and it is a potent inhibitor of mitosis and promoter of differentiation in numerous cells. We have therefore assessed the direct effect of vitamin D3 on mitosis, neurite outgrowth, as well as NGF production as a possible mediator of those effects, in developing neurons. Using cultured embryonic hippocampal cells and explants we found the addition of vitamin D3 significantly decreases the percentage of cultured hippocampal cells undergoing mitosis in conjunction with increases in both neurite outgrowth and NGF production. The role of vitamin D3 during brain development warrants closer scrutiny.

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported by the Stanley Medical Research Institute and the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.

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