Vestibular dysfunction in vitamin D receptor mutant mice

Vitamin D and aging

“…After 6 months of age, they show symptoms of premature aging such as wrinkling of the skin, hair and weight loss, muscle atrophy, immunological deficiency [74] osteoporosis and ectopic calcification in the thalamic area of the brain [73]. Furthermore, the VDR-KO mice developed hearing and balance defect earlier than the wild-type littermates [75,76]. These results suggest that mice with vitamin D imbalance show symptoms of early aging.…”

The effects of vitamin D on skeletal muscle function and cellular signaling

“…The VDR null mutant mouse is characterized by hair loss [64], a reduction in body weight, and a reduction in body size [64][65][66]. Loss of the VDR also causes a shorter gait and impaired motor coordination [64][65][66]. Furthermore, these animals show abnormal swimming ability as illustrated by vertical swimming and sinking which suggests muscular and motor impairment [65,66].…”

“…Loss of the VDR also causes a shorter gait and impaired motor coordination [64][65][66]. Furthermore, these animals show abnormal swimming ability as illustrated by vertical swimming and sinking which suggests muscular and motor impairment [65,66].…”

Vitamin D and Skeletal Muscle Function

“…This is a well-known method to assess motor and balance functions in rodents. This finding has been attributed to muscular or motor impairment in the mouse; however, a recent study [141] considers whether impaired vestibular function in these VDR-null mutant mice may be an important contributor to this finding. Via immunohistochemical analysis, Minyasan et al localized VDR-positive nuclei in epithelium of different structures in the vestibular system in wild-type mice and a significantly reduced expression of VDR in these same structures in the VDR-null mutant animals [141].…”

“…This finding has been attributed to muscular or motor impairment in the mouse; however, a recent study [141] considers whether impaired vestibular function in these VDR-null mutant mice may be an important contributor to this finding. Via immunohistochemical analysis, Minyasan et al localized VDR-positive nuclei in epithelium of different structures in the vestibular system in wild-type mice and a significantly reduced expression of VDR in these same structures in the VDR-null mutant animals [141]. To further support the presence of a vestibular impairment in the VDR knockout mouse, measurement of postural control on balance tests, such as the accelerating rotarod and tilting platform, revealed significantly greater abnormal results in the VDR knockout than wild-type mouse.…”