VITAMIN D

METABOLISM
VITAMIN D

Fat Soluble Vitamin

Sterol , it contains steroids

nucleus

Functions like a hormone

SOURCES:
FORMS OF VITAMIN D

VITAMIN D 2
• Ergocalciferol

VITAMIN D 3
• Cholecalciferol
FORMS OF VITAMIN D

 Vitamin D2(Ergocalciferol)
 Vitamin D3(Cholecalciferol)
Chemistry
 Ergocalciferol(vitamin D2 ) is formed from
ergosterol and is present in the plants.
 Cholecalciferol(vitamin D3) is found in animals
 Both the sterols are similar in structure except that
Ergocalciferol has an additional methyl group and
a double bond
 Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3 are referred as
provitamins
Absorption , Distribution,
Metabolism , Excretion
 Vitamin D is absorbed from the small intestine for
which bile is essential.
 It is stored in Adipose tissues.
 It is transported to liver ,then kidney where it is
activated.
 Excreted in bile, metabolized to water soluble
metabolites and then excreted in urine as well.
Regulation :

 Formation of 1,25- DHCC is regulated by

regulation of renal 1 α-hydroxylase
 1 α-hydroxylase activity is increased by
hypocalcemia.
 Hypocalcemia stimulates PTH secretion which in
turn increases 1 α-hydroxylase.
 1 α –hydroxylase activity may be feedback
inhibited by 1,25- DHCC .
Clinical Importance :

 In chronic renal failure , 1 α-hydroxylase activity

is decreased leading to decreased synthesis of
1,25- DHCC.
 This condition leads to renal rickets .
 Condition is treated by giving 1,25 – DHCC .
 1 α-hydroxylase deficiency can also occur as
inherited disorder or due to hypoparathyroidism .
 Regulation of plasma
Calcium and Phosphorus
 Vitamin D regulates plasma level of calcium and
phosphorus.
 Plasma calcium levels are regulated by effects of
1,25 – DHCC on intestine ,kidney and bone .
 Maintains the plasma calcium levels by increasing
absorption of calcium from small
intestine ,increasing reabsorption of calcium by
renal distal tubules and increasing mobilization of
calcium from water .
BIOCHEMICAL
FUNCTIONS
 Calcitriol acts at 3 different levels to maintain
plasma calcium
 Action on intestine:
calcitriol increases the intestinal reabsorption of
calcium and phosphate
 In the intestinal cells :
calcitriol binds with cytosolic receptors to form
calcitriol receptor complex
CONTINU….

 This complex interacts with specific DNA

leading to synthesis of specific calcium
binding protein.
 This protein increases calcium uptake by
intestine
 The mechanism of action of calcitriol is
similar to that of steroid hormone .
Action on bone :

 In osteo blasts of bone, calcitriol stimulates

calcium uptake of deposition as calcium
phosphate
 Calcitriol is essential for bone formation
 Calcitriol along with parathyroid hormone
increases mobilization of calcium and phosphate
from the bone
 Causes elevation in the plasma calcium and
phosphate