Vitamin D, Calcium homeostasis and biomineralisation Flashcards
Where can vitamin D be made?
In the skin with the help of sunlight
What does public health England recommend to adults and children in regards to vitamin D?
Advises that adults and children over the age of one should consider taking a daily supplement painting 10 micrograms of Vit D
Name the most potentially toxic vitamin
Vitamin D
What can vitamin D cause in high doses?
Nausea
Muscle weakness
In very high doses can cause increased calcium absorption and bone resorption
What effect can increased calcium absorption and bone reparation have on the body
Increased calcium levels in body fluids can leaf to calcification of arteries and organs eventually leading to liver failure
Give some dietary sources of vitamin D
- Egg yolk
- Fish oil
- Some plants
Name the vitamin D precursor
Ergosterol or vitamin D2
Is dietary intake of vitamin D usually enough?
No exposure to sunlight of consumption of supplements with vitamin D are necessary to prevent deficiencies
What is the first stage of vitamin D activation?
Ring cleavage
Name the inactive component of vitamin D found in plants
Ergosterol
What happens to Ergosterol when it is hit with UV?
It becomes ergocalciferol (vitamin D2)
Name the inactive form of vitamin D formed in our liver
7-Dehydrocholesterol
What happens to 7-Dehydrocholesterol when it is hit with UV
Cholecalciferol
Vitamin D3
Name the stages involved in vitamin D botsynthesis/activations
- Ring cleavage
2. Double hydroxylation
How is Cholecalciferol
(Vitamin D3) activated
It undergoes double hydroxylation
Go through the steps of the double hydroxylation of Cholecalciferol
(Vitamin D3)
- Cholecalciferol
(Vitamin D3) is inactive in the liver - First hydroxylation occurs by enzymes in the liver at position 25
- Second hydroxylation occurs in the kidneys at position 1
Where does the double hydroxylation of vitamin D occur?
First hydroxylation occurs in the liver
Second hydroxylation occurs in the kidneys
Name the 2 precursors of vitamin D
- Ergosterol (provitamin D2)
2. 7- Dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3)
Name the 3 intermediates of vitamin D
- Ergocalciferol (vitamin D2)
- Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)
- 25-Hydroxycholoecalciferol
Name the activated form of vitamin D3
Calcitriol or 1,25- Dihydroxyvitamin D3
Is vitamin D hydrophobic or hydrophilic?
Hydrophobic
How is vitamin D transported?
It is transported in blood bound vitamin D binding protein (DBP)
What is the half life of 25- hydroxycholecalciferol
several weeks
What is the half life of 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol
A few hours
What can imbalances in calcium serum levels lead to?
Can lead to hypercalcaemia and hypocalcaemia
What is the normal range of calcium serum levels a person should be within?
2.2-2.7mmol/L
Which hormone is released when calcium levels are low?
The parathyroid hormone (PTH)