Chronic vitamin D deficiency in the weanling rat alters catecholamine metabolism in the cortex

doi:10.1016/0006-8993(82)90331-6

Brain Research

Volume 242, Issue 2, 24 June 1982, Pages 387-390

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993(82)90331-6 Get rights and content

Abstract

The effect of a vitamin D deficient (—D), vitamin D replete (150 I.U.D₃ twice weekly) and normal rat diets for 4 weeks in weanling male rats on the steady-state concentration in several brain sites of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) was investigated. The areas of the central nervous system assayed were the brainstem, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, hypothalamus-median eminence, and striatum. The results indicate that DA content of cortex and hypothalamus significantly increased in the —D group compared to the normal diet or D replete groups. The concentrations of DOPAC and NE in the cortex of both —D and D replete rats increased significantly compared to normal diet group. Plasma calcium level was significantly lower in —D group compared to the normal diet or vitamin D replete groups.

References (14)

BaksiS.N. et al.
Anti-estrogen-induced alterations of hypothalamic dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the female rat
Neuropharmacology
(1981)
BaimbridgeK.G. et al.
Vitamin D-dependent calcium binding protein in the chick brain
Cell Calcium
(1981)
RothJ. et al.
Specific neurons in chick central nervous system stain with an antibody against chick intestinal vitamin D- dependent calcium-binding protein
Brain Research
(1981)
TaylorA.N.
Chick brain calcium binding protein: comparison with intestinal vitamin D-induced calcium-binding protein
Arch. Biochem. Biophys.
(1974)
TaylorA.N.
Chick brain calcium binding protein: responses to cholecalciferol and some developmental aspects
J. Nutr.
(1977)
CarmanJ.S. et al.
Calcium: pacesetting the periodic psychoses
Amer. J. Psychiat.
(1979)
CheungW.Y.
Calmodulin plays a pivotal role in cellular regulation
Science
(1980)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (63)

Vitamin D, brain development and function
2023, Feldman and Pike's Vitamin D: Volume One: Biochemistry, Physiology and Diagnostics
Over the last 20 years, there has been growing interest in the impact of vitamin D on the developing brain. The evidence linking gestational and/or neonatal vitamin D deficiency with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism continues to accrue. Underpinning this research is a large body of developmental studies in animals that demonstrates early life vitamin D deficiency leads to a broad range of alterations in the developing brain. Many of these effects persist into adulthood with altered brain function. Considering how prevalent vitamin D deficiency is in pregnant women, optimizing vitamin D status in this at-risk group may reduce the overall incidence of adverse neuropsychiatric outcomes in offspring. Just as prenatal folate supplementation has reduced the incidence of spina bifida, we believe that prenatal vitamin D supplementation may reduce the incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
Vitamin D and neurodegenerative diseases
2023, Heliyon
Neurodegenerative diseases, featured by progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, are considered incurable at present. Movement disorders like tremor and postural instability, cognitive or behavioral disorders such as memory impairment are the most common symptoms of them and the growing patient population of neurodegenerative diseases poses a serious threat to public health and a burden on economic development. Hence, it is vital to prevent the occurrence of the diseases and delay their progress. Vitamin D can be transformed into a hormone in vivo with both genomic and non-genomic actions, exerting diverse physiological effects. Cumulative evidence indicates that vitamin D can ameliorate neurodegeneration by regulating pertinent molecules and signaling pathways including maintaining Ca²⁺ homeostasis, reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting inflammation, suppressing the formation and aggregation of the pathogenic protein, etc. This review updates discoveries of molecular mechanisms underlying biological functions of vitamin D in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and vascular dementia. Clinical trials investigating the influence of vitamin D supplementation in patients with neurodegenerative diseases are also summarized. The synthesized information will probably provoke an enhanced understanding of the neuroprotective roles of vitamin D in the nervous system and provide therapeutic options for patients with neurodegenerative diseases in the future.
Are serum vitamin D, calcium and phosphorous associated with restless leg syndrome? A systematic review and meta-analysis
2020, Sleep Medicine
Citation Excerpt :
In addition, according to the hypothesis of central dopaminergic dysfunction in RLS [8], positive effects on RLS manifestations have been indicated by use of several dopaminergic agents in various clinical trials [9–11]. There is evidence including experimental studies supporting the likelihood of vitamin D involvement in dopamine function [12]. Vitamin D raises dopamine levels and protects dopaminergic neurons against toxins as evidenced by in vitro studies [13].
It is hypothesized that vitamin D deficiency, and calcium/phosphate imbalance could be involved in the pathophysiology of restless leg syndrome (RLS). This systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies were carried out to reach a firm conclusion regarding the possible association between vitamin D, calcium and phosphorous levels with RLS in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, other comorbidities and healthy population.
PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane's library were systematically searched up to June 2020. Quality assessment of the included observational studies was performed using Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Statistical analyses were done using STATA 11.2. A P-value <0.05 were considered statistically significant.
A total of 36 studies involving 9590 participants were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. We found that serum vitamin D level is significantly lower (WMD −3.39 ng/mL; 95% CI, −5.96 to −0.81; P = 0.010; I² = 86.2%) and phosphorous (SMD 0.19; 95% CI, 0.04–0.34; P = 0.011; I² = 83.6%) is significantly higher in RLS individuals compared to the non-RLS individuals. However, the mean difference of serum calcium was not significant in comparison between RLS and control groups (SMD −0.01; 95% CI, −0.19 to 0.18; P = 0.957; I² = 89.2%).
Results revealed a significant association between serum vitamin D and phosphorous with RLS. However, further prospective cohort studies and clinical trials are needed for better understanding of the relationship between these variables.
Neurodining: Common dietary factors may be substrates in novel biosynthetic pathways for monoaminergic neurotransmitters
2020, Medical Hypotheses
It is not established that there are multiple endogenous mechanisms for synthesizing each of the three major monoamine neurotransmitters: serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Having multiple biosynthetic pathways for each of these important signaling molecules would provide greater assurance that they are available in sufficient quantities for their various physiological roles in the body. This paper puts forth the hypothesis that a number of common dietary factors—including sucrose and glucose, fats, plant components, and even ethanol—are substrates in novel biosynthetic pathways for the monoamines. A major aspect of this hypothesis is that in a range of multicellular organisms, D-glucose in particular may participate in novel biosynthetic pathways for the monoamines, where this sugar has already been linked with synthesis of the neurotransmitters acetylcholine, glutamate, and GABA through the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Another major aspect of the hypothesis is that phenol or polyphenol molecules, found in various plants, may combine with particular fats or even ethanol to form dopamine, which can then be converted to norepinephrine through the already established step involving the enzyme dopamine beta-hydroxylase. If such a biosynthetic pathway exists for converting ethanol to dopamine in humans, it could be a major factor in substance abuse, including early onset alcoholism. Further, if the above biosynthetic pathways exist in a range of organisms, they may be associated with appetitive processes regulating consumption of particular dietary factors, such as fruits and vegetables, to maintain internal “set points” of, for example, elevated noradrenergic signaling. In this scenario, exposure to psychological stress, which could eventually deplete neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, may result in craving for sucrose, fats, or alcohol to help replenish the depleted cellular levels of this signaling molecule. An alternative to the overall biosynthetic hypothesis put forth here is that animal cells do not possess these pathways, but the animal microbiome harbors bacteria that do carry out these reactions and helps supply the body with monoamines and other signaling molecules.
Vitamin D Brain Development and Function
2018, Vitamin D: Fourth Edition
Over the last 15 years there has been growing interest in the impact of vitamin D on the developing brain. There is now evidence linking gestational and/or neonatal vitamin D deficiency with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism. Underpinning this research is a large body of developmental studies in animals that demonstrate transient gestational vitamin D deficiency leads to a broad range of alterations in the developing brain. Many of these effects persist into adulthood and alter brain function. In light of how prevalent vitamin D deficiency is in pregnant women, optimizing vitamin D status in this at risk group may reduce the overall incidence of psychiatric outcomes in offspring. Just as prenatal folate supplementation has reduced the incidence of spina bifida, we believe that prenatal vitamin D supplementation may reduce the incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
Maternal fat-soluble vitamins, brain development, and regulation of feeding behavior: an overview of research
2016, Nutrition Research
Citation Excerpt :
A limited body of evidence indicates that vitamin D in maternal diets also affects central regulation of feeding behavior. The role of vitamin D in dopaminergic function is thought to be associated with neuronal calcium homeostasis since calcium ions are needed for dopamine release [132,133]. Furthermore, vitamin D may be involved in the development of dopamine neurons in embryos [88].
Recent research shows a link between vitamin intake during pregnancy and offspring health. Inadequate intakes of water-soluble vitamins during pregnancy lead to obesity and characteristics of the metabolic syndrome, concurrent with altered developments in food intake regulatory pathways. Few studies, however, have reported on the effects of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) on the development of food intake regulatory pathways. The majority of studies to date have focused on associations between inadequate and high intakes of folic acid and vitamin D and neurocognitive development of the offspring. Hence, the objective of this review is to present an evaluation of the role of maternal vitamins A, D, E, and K in brain development and function of neural pathways that regulate feeding behaviors. PubMed and Google Scholar were searched from 1975 through September, 2016. Most studies supporting a role for fat-soluble vitamins in regulating brain development and associated behaviors have been conducted in animal and cell models, leaving uncertain their relevance to neurocognitive development and function in humans. Nevertheless, although current research on defining the role of maternal fat-soluble vitamins in offspring's brain development is limited, it is sufficient to warrant further investigations on their impact when intake amounts during pregnancy are not only inadequate but also exceed requirements.

View all citing articles on Scopus

View full text

Chronic vitamin D deficiency in the weanling rat alters catecholamine metabolism in the cortex

Abstract

Neuropharmacology

Cell Calcium

Brain Research

Arch. Biochem. Biophys.

J. Nutr.

Calcium: pacesetting the periodic psychoses

Amer. J. Psychiat.

Calmodulin plays a pivotal role in cellular regulation

Science