Effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D on the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D on the proliferation, differentiation, and matrix mineralization of MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells

Methods: MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D were prepared. Cytotoxic effects and osteogenic differentiation were evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, ALP staining, alizarin red S staining, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for osteogenic differentiation markers such as ALP, collagen type I (Col-I), osteocalcin (OCN), vitamin D receptor (VDR), and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Results: The MTT assay showed that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D did not inhibit cell growth and that the rate of cell proliferation was higher than in the positive control group at all concentrations.