Protective effect of vitamin D against rats’ mandibular osteoporosis induced by corticosteroids and gamma rays

Background: osteoporosis is a progressive systematic skeletal illnesscharacterized by low bone mineral density (bmd), deterioration ofmicroarchitecture of bone tissues and susceptibility to fracture caused bybone resorption. the study investigates the possible role of alfacalcidol;vitamin d (vit d) to mitigate osteoporosis induced by corticosteroid and γ-rays in rats. materials and methods: eighty sprague-dawley rats were dividedequally into eight groups: control group (1 ml olive oil orally), epirelefangroup (7mg/kg sc), vit d group (20,000 iu/kg orally), vit d plus epirelefangroup, vit d plus γ-rays (8 gy) group, epirelefan plus γ-rays group, vit d plus epirelefan plus γ-rays group and γ-rays groups. results: in epirelefan group, mandible bone has small cavities, micro fissures, thinning and decrease in the number of trabecular, which may appear rod-like and concave beside increase marrow cavities. in epirelefan + γ-rays group, the lesions were more severe with increasing osteoclast and alteration of serum calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase. the administration of vit d before corticosteroid injection and pre γ-rays-irradiation has signific antly reduced mandibular damage. conclusion: vit d could be efficient in mitigating osteoporosis occurred by corticosteroid and γ-rays in rat model.