Antiinflammatory and antifibrotic effect of vitamin D supplement and swimming exercise in lung fibrosis induced by bleomycin in rats

Aim: With this study, in experimental pulmonary fibrosis; Vitamin D supplementation aims to reduce fibrosis formation and developing inflammation Material and Method: 69 Wistar albino rats were used in the study. These rats were randomly divided into 10 groups in total. To create experimental pulmonary fibrosis in the study, a single dose of 2.5mg/kg BLM was administered intratracheally. Vitamin D was given orally (gavage) to rats as 200 IU and 100 IU in olive oil for 6 weeks. Rats were given swimming exercises every day in a modified tank at an appropriate temperature (31±1 °C). The rats were sacrificed 28 days after BLM application. Blood, BAL (bronchoalveolar lavage) and pathology samples were taken from the rats. Results: There was a significant increase in serum TGF-β value in the BLM applied group compared to the control group (p<0.0011). Compared to the BLM group, the decrease in serum TGF-β value of the BLM+D vit 200IU(5µg)+swimming group was statistically significant (p<0.0011). The distributional difference in fibrosis scoring was statistically significant, and the BLM group had the highest fibrosis score. Compared to the BLM group, severe macrophages were seen less in the BLM+D vit 200IU(5µg)+swimming group. Conclusion: In the pulmonary fibrosis model we created experimentally, we recorded a regression in pulmonary fibrosis and a decrease in inflammation, according to the vitamin D and swimming exercise findings. We think that after this study is implemented in the clinic, it will contribute positively to the prognosis and quality of life in individuals with IPF, in parallel with our research.