I studied the effects of vitamins on the prevention of cleft palate in A/J mice with the use of an organ culture suspension. Maxillary regions of A/J mouse fetuses (13.5 days) were dissected and cultured in a chemically-defined serum-free medium for 72h.
Each vitamin (β-carotene, vitamin E, folic acid) was added to the medium in concentrations of 0.1, 1.0, and 10μ g/ml.
In the β-carotene groups, the rates of palate fusion were 74.1%(control), 76.2%(0.1μg/ml), 90.0%(1.0μg/ml), and 94.1%(10μg/ml).
In the vitamin E groups, the rates of palate fusion were 53.0%(control), 63.6%(0.1μg/ml), 71.4%(1.0μg/ml), and 80.0%(10μg/ml).
In the folic acid groups, the rates of palate fusion were 60.0%(control), 85.7%(0.1μg/ml), 85.2%(1.0μg/ml), and 100%(10μg/ml).
Significant differences from control were obtained when folic acid was added to the medium in concentrations of 0.1, 1.0, and 10μg/ml.
These results indicate that vitamins, in particular folic acid, have a direct action on the palatal shelves.
Although the mechanism of the effect of vitamins is presently unclear, these results may be useful medically in the prevention of cleft lip, cleft palate, or both.