Vitamin D Flashcards
precalciferol
a precursor to vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol).
Derived from 7-dehydrocholesterol exposed to UVB light.
After thermal isomerization it becomes cholecalciferol.
cholecalciferol
Vitamin D3
(the unactivated form of vitamin D)
the form found in animal foods and
the form synthesized in the body from 7-dehydrocholesterol (which exposed to UVB light becomes precalciferol and after thermal isomerization cholecalciferol)
calcidiol
also called 25-OH D
or
25-OH cholecalciferol
Precursor to the active form of vitamin D. Results from the hydroxylation of cholecalciferol in the liver by 25-hydroxylase enzyme.
This is the main form of vitamin D in the body
calcitriol
The activated form of vitamin D
also called 1,25-OH(2) D
or
1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol
Results from hydroxylation of 25-OH D in the kidney by 1-hydroxylase
ergocalciferol
Vitamin D2
can be synthetic or from plants (shitake mushrooms)
ergosterol
The precursor to Vitamin D2 ergocalciferol
Why is it wrong to call cholecalciferol a vitamin?
It is derived from cholesterol and is a seco-steroid (a steroid with a broken ring).
What are the main dietary forms of vitamin D?
D3 cholecalciferol (from animal foods or endogenous production)
D2 ergocalciferol (from plant or synthetic sources)
The forms are different only in their side chains.
calcitonin
Calcitonin is a hormone released by the thyroid gland
Calcitonin can lower serum calcium and phosphorus by inhibiting bone resorption and accelerating uptake of calcium and phosphate into bone matrix
calbindin
a calcium binding protein
calbindin C9k is found in the intestines and binds calcium in the enterocytes
calbindin C28k is found in the kidney enhances resorption of calcium in the kidney tubules
osteocalcin
a protein found in bone an dentin.
Osteocalcin is secreted by osteoblasts.
osteopontin
extracellular structural protein in bone
secreted by osteoblasts
calciferol
general term for vitamin D
includes cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol
7-dehydrocholesterol
precursor for vitamin D synthesis in the skin
precholecalciferol
previtamin D3
produced in the skin when 7-dehydrocholesterol is exposed to UVB light
after thermal isomerization precholecalciferol is converted to cholecalciferol
Are vitamins D3 and D2 physiologically the same?
The two forms of vitamin D differ only in their side chain. They have the same effect as a treatment for rickets.
They are both metabolized by the same hydroxylase enzymes.
The metabolism of D2 produces additional metabolites not generated by vitamin D3 and is thought to be less efficient in calcitriol production than D3. (Study results vary, but it appears that pharmacologic doses of D2 (such as 50,000 IU) are catabolized more quickly by cytochrome P-450 enzymes in the liver and intestine.)
The hydroxylase enzymes that activate vitamin D belong to which family of enzymes?
Cytochrome P450 enzymes
How is vitamin D synthesized in the body?
7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin is exposed to UVB light and becomes
precholecalciferol (previtamin D3) which then undergoes thermal isomerization (which can take a few hours to a few days) and becomes
cholecalciferol (vitamin D3)
Can excess (toxic) amounts of vitamin D be produced endogenously?
No
excess production of vitamin D3 is prevented by the generation of inactive metabolites
these include lumisterol and tachysterol
What are good food sources of cholecalciferol?
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is found in a small number of animal foods
liver, especially beef
eggs
fatty fish and their oils (includes salmon, tuna, herring, and sardines)
fortified foods
milk
yogurt, cheese, butter
margerine
orange juice
some breakfast cereals and breads
What are food sources of ergocalciferol?
a few plant foods
shitake mushrooms
also may be found in fortified foods
milk and dairy products
margerine
orange juice
some breakfast cereals and breads
Is vitamin D stable?
yes.
Vitamin D is fairly stable and is not subject to loss due to cooking, storage, or processing.
What digestion is required for vitamin D?
None.
How is vitamin D absorbed?
Vitamin D gathers in micelles with fats (aided by bile salts)
Micelles are absorbed by passive diffusion into the enterocyte
Most vitamin D is absorbed in the ileum (distal small intestine)
Vitamin D is incorporated into chylomicrons for export to the lymph system then into the blood