VITAMIN D3 AND Α-TOCOPHEROL ACETATE AMELIORATE INFLAMMATORY AND FIBROTIC PROCESSES IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS: PRECLINICAL EVIDENCE

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis and vascular abnormalities. Despite extensive research, there is currently no effective treatment for SSc. This study aimed to investigate the effects of α-tocopherol acetate and vitamin D3 on the levels of surfactant protein D (SP-D), interleukin-13 (IL-13), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in a preclinical model of SSc. The study included an intact group (IG) (15 animals) with no interventions, control group (CG) (20 animals) injected with isotonic solution, an experimental group #1 (EG#1) (25 animals) that were induced with SSc by injecting them subcutaneously with 0.5 ml of 5% (NaClO) three times a week for six consecutive weeks; and experimental group #2 (EG#2) (25 animals) with correction provided by injections of vitamin D (1000 IU / 100 g) and α-tocopherol acetate (10 mg / 100 g ) intramuscularly for 3 weeks. The serum concentrations of IL-13, SP-D, and VCAM-1 were significantly higher in the EG#1 compared to the control group (109.35 (93,23-199.05) vs 8.50 (5.60-14.20), p=0.004; 490.20 (156.20-605.70) vs 78.10 (40.80-100.40), p=0.004; 91.25 (85.00 -264.98) vs 19.50 (13.53-22.20), p=0.004 respectively). The administration of vitamin D3 and α-tocopherol acetate was found to have a positive effect on all three parameters investigated. The SP-D level in the EG#2 was significantly lower than that in the EG#1 (490.20 (156.20-605.70) vs 123.75 (108.80-145.03), p=0.004). The concentration of IL-13 and VCAM-1 were also lower in the EG#2. In conclusion, this study provides evidence of the beneficial effects of vitamin D3 and α-tocopherol acetate in reducing the levels of SP-D, IL-13, and VCAM-1 in a preclinical model of systemic sclerosis.