Vitamin D Can Ameliorate Chlorhexidine Gluconate-Induced Peritoneal Fibrosis and Functional Deterioration through the Inhibition of Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition of Mesothelial Cells

Figure 3

Vitamin D treatment prevented loss of peritoneal function caused by chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) exposure in a rat model. Sprague-Dawley rats received a daily intraperitoneal injection of chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) with or without administration of low (L, 500 ng/kg) or middle (M, 750 ng/kg) dose 1α,25(OH)₂D₃ (vit. D). Rats received a daily intraperitoneal instillation of normal saline (NS) as a control. Peritoneal function was assessed by (a) net ultrafiltration divided from body weight (UF/BW) and (b) mass transfer of glucose (MTG). CG instillation induced peritoneal function impairment, while vitamin D treatment significantly ameliorated this phenomenon. Data represent mean ± S.D. () (; ; ).

(a)

(b)