Vitamin D intake during pregnancy and alleviation of maternal and grandchild kidney damage caused by fine dust

Nov 05, 2025

Vitamin D intake during pregnancy and alleviation of maternal and grandchild kidney damage caused by fine dust
A study showing that exposure to fine dust (PM2.5) can cause renal impairment across generations, and vitamin D intake during pregnancy can alleviate kidney damage in mother mice and offspring caused by PM2.5.Source of data =KRCP



Animal testing has confirmed that vitamin D intake during pregnancy can alleviate kidney damage to the mother and the offspring due to fine dust. This study is a rare case of research dealing with the intergenerational effects of fine dust exposure, and it is of great academic significance in that it experimentally identified its association.

Professor Lim Hyung-eun of the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescents at Korea University Ansan Hospital said, "'Maternal exposure to airborne particulate matter during regnancy and lactation indentures kidney in rat dams and their male offspring: The role of vitamin D in regnancy and Beyond' research paper introduces nine pregnant white mice (Sprague-Dawley) to the 'Sprague-Dawley administration group' and the 'fine dust (PM2.5) administration group', 'fine dust (PM2.5) alone, Each substance was administered orally from day 11 of pregnancy to day 21 after childbirth, the kidney-forming phase of offspring mice. Afterwards, the kidneys of mother and male offspring were compared and analyzed on the 21st day after childbirth, respectively.

As a result, exposure of gestational PM2.5 increased glomerular damage, tubular interstitial damage, and intracortical macrophage infiltration in both mother and baby mice, and this change was found to be mitigated through vitamin D administration. Specifically, structural damage to the kidneys was observed in mother mice exposed to PM2.5 similar to mother mice, such as decreased function of vitamin D signal (VDR), antioxidant defense (Nrf2), blood flow control (Lenin·ACE), and inflammatory control (NF-κB p50). On the other hand, baby mice in the vitamin D co-administered group recovered vitamin D signal (VDR), blood flow control (ACE), and inflammation control (NF-κBp50), alleviating kidney damage caused by fine dust.




Professor Lim said, "Ingestion of vitamin D by mothers can alleviate kidney damage to mothers and grandchildren caused by fine dust."This study will be an important clue for nutritional intervention research and related new drug development to protect maternal and fetal health in the future."

Meanwhile, the Korean Kidney Society recognized the academic excellence of Professor Lim's study and presented the official international journal, Kidney Research and Clinical Practice (KRCP) 2025 Excellence Paper Award.



Vitamin D intake during pregnancy and alleviation of maternal and grandchild kidney damage caused by fine dust
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.