Immunohistochemical detection and distribution of cornifin ? and vitamin D receptor expression in vaginal epithelium treated with vitamin D 3

Abstract

Objective: In growth and differentation of keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium, 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 has an important role. Cornifin ? as a marker of vaginal epithelial differentiation distribution in vagina epithelium has not been studied. We examined distribution of VDR and cornifin ? in vagina epithelium in ovariectomized and treated vitamin D rats. Materials and Methods: Bilateral ovariectomies were performed in 20 mature non-pregnant Wistar female rats. All the animals were divided into 2 groups; control group I untreated and group II i.m. 0.025 µg 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 injected for three days of a week for 2 weeks. In 15 days after the last injection, vaginas were removed and processed for immunohistochemistry. Results: Recorded epithelial differentiation, 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 receptor and cornifin ? expression in vaginal epithelium of control and vitamin D3 treated rats. In treated animals, vaginal epithelium changed into highly-stratified keratinizing layers. Cornifin ? and 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor as a marker of squamous differentiation is present in ovariectomized rats treated with 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. In contrast, cornifin ? and 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor were absent in all layers of vaginal epithelium in control group. Discussion: The results indicate that 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 induced proliferation of vaginal epithelium which was consistent with the cornifin ? expression. We demonstrated for the first time that 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 up-regulated 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor expression in vaginal epithelium.