Abstract
Background
Poor dietary habits, such as a calcium-deficient diet, negatively impact oral health by impairing salivary gland function due to hypocalcemia. If left untreated, calcium deficiency can lead to fatal consequences. Several nano-formulations, including nano vitamin D3 supplements, have recently been introduced. However, there is limited research on the impact of vitamin D3-loaded lipid nano capsules (LNCs) on dental health maintenance.
Aim
This study evaluated the protective potential of vitamin D3-loaded lipid nano capsules (LNCs) versus conventional vitamin D3 in countering fatty degeneration in parotid salivary glands caused by a calcium-deficient diet.
Methods
Thirty-six male mature albino rats were randomly split into three groups: a calcium-deficient group, a calcium-deficient group treated with conventional vitamin D3, and another receiving vitamin D3-loaded lipid nano capsules (LNCs). The body weight was calculated weekly throughout the experimental duration. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were obtained for serological analysis of serum calcium and insulin concentration as well as blood glucose levels. Parotid glands were harvested for histological and ultrastructural examination. Digital morphometry was used to assess the number of secretory granules. All the data was collected and statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s honestly significant difference test.
Results
The conventional vitamin D3 group showed an incomplete protective effect, while vitamin D3-loaded lipid nano capsules (LNCs) completely preserved cellular structures, preventing the salivary tissue’s fatty deterioration. Vitamin D3-loaded lipid nano capsules (LNCs) outperformed conventional vitamin D3 when preserving the quantity of secretory granules.
Conclusion
Supplementing calcium-deficient diets with vitamin D3-loaded lipid nano capsules (LNCs) could protect against salivary gland damage caused by calcium deficiency in rats.
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Materials
The current study’s manuscript complies with the reporting requirements for animal research set forth by ARRIVE guidelines [24].
Vitamin D3 (111000 IU D3) was obtained from Pharaonia Pharmaceuticals (Alexandria, Egypt). Gattefossé S.A., Saint-Priest, France, generously donated Labrafac® (lipophile WL 1349, caprylic-capric acid triglycerides, European Pharmacopoeia, IVth, 2002). BASF (Ludwigshafen, Germany) supplied Kolliphor® HS 15, also called Solutol® HS 15, which is a mixture of free polyethylene glycol 660 and polyethylene glycol 660 hydroxystearate that complies with the European Pharmacopoeia IV edition (2002). Lipoid® S100, a soybean lecithin containing 69% phosphatidylcholine, was generously provided by Lipoïd GmbH (Ludwigshafen, Germany). All other reagents and solvents used were of analytical grade. Concerning HPLC analysis, Acetonitrile and Isopropanol used are of HPLC grade and Tetrahydrofuran is of analytical grade.
Montaser, M.M., Mahdy, D.M. & Hamza, S.A. Prophylactic effect of nano vitamin D3 against fatty degeneration caused by calcium-deficient diet in parotid salivary gland: a histological and ultrastructural study. BMC Oral Health 25, 1279 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06618-7
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