Home About us Contact | |||
Dihydroxyvitamin D (dihydroxyvitamin + d)
Selected AbstractsTryptophan Missense Mutation in the Ligand-Binding Domain of the Vitamin D Receptor Causes Severe Resistance to 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D,,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 9 2002T. M. Nguyen Ph.D. Abstract In this study, two related young children, brother and sister, exhibited severe vitamin D-resistant rickets without alopecia. Sequence analysis of the total vitamin D receptor (VDR) cDNA from skin fibroblasts revealed a substitution of the unique tryptophan of the VDR by arginine at amino acid 286 (W286R). Cultured skin fibroblasts of the two patients expressed normal-size VDR protein (immunocytochemistry and Western blotting) and normal length VDR mRNA (Northern blotting). But, these fibroblasts, as well as COS-7 cells transfected with the W286R mutant, failed to bind 3H 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3]. The tryptophan substitution did not affect VDR trafficking toward the nucleus but abolished the 24-hydroxylase gene response to 1,25(OH)2D3, even at 10,6 M concentrations. In conclusion, this case report of a new family with hereditary vitamin D- resistant rickets (HVDRR) emphasizes the crucial role of the VDR tryptophan for ligand binding and for transactivation of 1,25(OH)2D3 target genes. It clearly shows the clinical significance of this VDR amino acid for calcium homeostasis and bone mineralization. This observation suggests further that the presence of a stable VDR-bound ligand may not be obligatory for normal hair follicle development. [source] Hypercalcemia and Overexpression of CYP27B1 in a Patient With Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis: Clinical Vignette and Literature Review,,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 6 2009Vivian Y Pao Abstract Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a disease of thickened, hard, hyperpigmented skin lesions with or without systemic fibrosis occurring in patients with renal insufficiency and associated with the administration of gadolinium-containing contrast. The pathogenesis of this disease is unclear, and there is no definitive treatment. We describe a 71-yr-old patient with stable chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and NSF who presented with hypercalcemia in 2006. Before onset of renal insufficiency in 2002, serum calcium, phosphorus, and PTH levels were normal. In 2004, the patient began hemodialysis, and he was diagnosed with NSF in 2005, shortly after undergoing an MRI with gadolinium contrast administration. Over the next 6 mo, albumin-corrected serum total calcium levels rose from 9.9 to 13.1 mg/dl (normal range, 8.5,10.5 mg/dl) with normal serum phosphorus levels. On admission in September 2006, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] levels were elevated at 130.7 pg/ml (normal range, 25.1,66.1 pg/ml). Biopsy of an NSF lesion showed increased 25-hydroxyvitamin D3,1-, hydroxylase (CYP27B1) immunostaining compared with the biopsy from a normal control. This is the first reported association of NSF with hypercalcemia caused by elevated 1,25(OH)2D levels. This metabolic disturbance should be sought in future cases to determine a connection between NSF, 1,25(OH)2D metabolism, and CYP27B1 activation in the skin, which may shed light on the pathogenesis of this unusual local and systemic fibrosing disorder. [source] Calcium Channel TRPV6 Expression in Human Duodenum: Different Relationships to the Vitamin D System and Aging in Men and Women,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 11 2006FRCP, Julian RF Walters MA Abstract Intestinal absorption of calcium affects bone mineralization and varies greatly. In human duodenum, expression of the calcium channel TRPV6 was directly related to blood 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in men, but effects of age with lower median vitamin D receptor levels were more significant in women. Introduction: The TRPV6 calcium channel/transporter is implicated in animal studies of intestinal calcium absorption, but in humans, its role and relationship to differences in mineral metabolism is unclear. We aimed to characterize TRPV6 expression in human intestine including defining relationships to the vitamin D endocrine system. Materials and Methods: TRPV6 transcript expression was determined in endoscopic mucosal biopsies obtained from normal duodenum. Expression was compared with that in ileum and with in situ hybridization in archival tissues and related to sequence variants in genomic DNA. TRPV6 expression was related in 33 subjects to other transcripts involved in calcium absorption including the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and to blood vitamin D metabolites including 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D]. Results: TRPV6 transcripts were readily detected in duodenum but not in ileum. Expression was highest in villous epithelial cells. Sequence variants in the coding and upstream regions of the gene did not affect TRPV6 expression. The relationship between duodenal TRPV6 expression and 1,25(OH)2D differed in men and women. In men, linear regression showed a strong association with 1,25(OH)2D (r = 0.87, p < 0.01), which was unaffected by age. In women, there was no significant overall relationship with 1,25(OH)2D, but there was a significant decrease with age (r = ,0.69, p < 0.001). Individual expression of TRPV6 and VDR was significantly correlated. The group of older women (>50) had lower median levels of both TRPV6 and VDR transcripts than younger women (p < 0.001 and 0.02, respectively). Conclusions: Duodenal TRPV6 expression is vitamin D dependent in men, but not in older women, where expression of TRPV6 and VDR are both reduced. These findings can explain, at least in part, the lower fractional calcium absorption seen in older postmenopausal women. [source] Regulation of C-Terminal and Intact FGF-23 by Dietary Phosphate in Men and Women,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 8 2006Sherri-Ann M Burnett MD Abstract FGF-23 is a novel regulator of phosphate metabolism. We studied the regulation of FGF-23 by dietary phosphate in 66 men and women using two assays. Dietary phosphate restriction decreased FGF-23 and loading increased FGF-23 significantly. An assay that measured intact FGF-23 showed the effects of dietary phosphate much more clearly than an assay that also measures presumed biologically inactive fragments. Dietary phosphate is a key regulator of circulating FGF-23; choice of assay is critical when studying FGF-23 physiology. Introduction: Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) is a novel phosphaturic factor discovered through genetic studies of patients with renal phosphate wasting disorders. Ablation of the FGF-23 gene in mice reduces renal phosphate excretion and increases serum phosphate, suggesting that FGF-23 is critical for normal phosphate homeostasis. We examined the role of dietary phosphate in the regulation of FGF-23 in humans. Materials and Methods: Sixty-six healthy males and females were randomized to either phosphate-depleted or -loaded diets for 5 days, after a 4-day run-in diet. FGF-23 was measured using an "intact" assay that only detects intact FGF-23 peptide and with a "C-terminal" assay that measures both intact FGF-23 peptide and presumed biologically inactive carboxyl terminal fragments. The main outcome was the within group change in FGF-23 with either phosphate depletion or loading. Results: Using the intact FGF-23 assay, mean FGF-23 area under the curve (AUC) decreased by 9 ± 16% with phosphate depletion (p = 0.0041) and increased by 35 ± 29% with loading (p < 0.0001). Using the C-terminal FGF-23 assay, mean FGF-23 AUC decreased by 8 ± 12% with phosphate depletion (p = 0.0003) and increased by 13 ± 20% with loading (p = 0.0016). Increases in FGF-23 with phosphate loading were greater with the intact assay than with the C-terminal assay (p = 0.0003). Using the intact assay only, FGF-23 was significantly associated with serum phosphate (r = 0.39, p < 0.01), 24-h urinary phosphate (r = 0.47, p < 0.01), fractional excretion of phosphate (r = 0.29, p < 0.01), and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (r = ,0.30, p < 0.01). The association between the assays was weak (r = 0.26, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Dietary phosphate is a key regulator of circulating FGF-23 levels in humans. Additionally, choice of assay is critical when performing physiologic investigations of FGF-23. [source] FGF-23 Is a Potent Regulator of Vitamin D Metabolism and Phosphate Homeostasis,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 3 2004Takashi Shimada Abstract We analyzed the effects of an FGF-23 injection in vivo. FGF-23 caused a reduction in serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D by altering the expressions of key enzymes for the vitamin D metabolism followed by hypophosphatemia. This study indicates that FGF-23 is a potent regulator of the vitamin D and phosphate metabolism. Introduction: The pathophysiological contribution of FGF-23 in hypophosphatemic diseases was supported by animal studies in which the long-term administration of recombinant fibroblast growth factor-23 reproduced hypophosphatemic rickets with a low serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] level. However, there is no clear understanding of how FGF-23 causes these changes. Materials and Methods: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the FGF-23 function, we investigated the short-term effects of a single administration of recombinant FGF-23 in normal and parathyroidectmized animals. Results: An injection of recombinant FGF-23 caused a reduction in serum phosphate and 1,25(OH)2D levels. A decrease in serum phosphate was first observed 9 h after the injection and was accompanied with a reduction in renal mRNA and protein levels for the type IIa sodium-phosphate cotransporter (NaPi-2a). There was no increase in the parathyroid hormone (PTH) level throughout the experiment, and hypophosphatemia was reproduced by FGF-23 in parathyroidectomized rats. Before this hypophosphatemic effect, the serum 1,25(OH)2D level had already descended at 3 h and reached the nadir 9 h after the administration. FGF-23 reduced renal mRNA for 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1,-hydroxylase and increased that for 25-hydroxyvitamin D-24-hydroxylase starting at 1 h. In addition, an injection of calcitriol into normal mice increased the serum FGF-23 level within 4 h. Conclusions: FGF-23 regulates NaPi-2a independently of PTH and the serum 1,25(OH)2D level by controlling renal expressions of key enzymes of the vitamin D metabolism. In conclusion, FGF-23 is a potent regulator of phosphate and vitamin D homeostasis. [source] Vitamin D Receptor Expression in Human Muscle Tissue Decreases With Age,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2004HA Bischoff-Ferrari Abstract Intracellular 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed in human skeletal muscle tissue. However, it is unknown whether VDR expression in vivo is related to age or vitamin D status, or whether VDR expression differs between skeletal muscle groups. Introduction: We investigated these factors and their relation to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D receptor (VDR) expression in freshly removed human muscle tissue. Materials and Methods: We investigated biopsy specimens of the gluteus medius taken at surgery from 20 female patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (mean age, 71.6 ± 14.5; 72% > 65 years) and biopsy specimens of the transversospinalis muscle taken at surgery from 12 female patients with spinal operations (mean age, 55.2 ± 19.6; 28% > 65 years). The specimens were obtained by immunohistological staining of the VDR using a monoclonal rat antibody to the VDR (Clone no. 9A7). Quantitative VDR expression (number of VDR positive nuclei) was assessed by counting 500 nuclei per specimen and person. Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D were assessed at day of admission to surgery. Results: All muscle biopsy specimens stained positive for VDR. In the univariate analyses, increased age was associated with decreased VDR expression (r = 0.5: p = 0.004), whereas there were no significant correlations between VDR expression and 25-hydroxyvitamin D or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels. VDR expression did not differ between patients with hip and spinal surgery. In the multivariate analysis, older age was a significant predictor of decreased VDR expression after controlling biopsy location (gluteus medius or the transversospinalis muscle), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (linear regression analysis: ,-estimate = ,2.56; p = 0.047). Conclusions: Intranuclear immunostaining of the VDR was present in muscle biopsy specimens of all orthopedic patients. Older age was significantly associated with decreased VDR expression, independent of biopsy location and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. [source] Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein Induced Coupled Increases in Bone Formation and Resorption Markers for 7 Years in a Patient With Malignant Islet Cell Tumors,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 5 2002Ph.D., Yasuhiro Takeuchi M.D. Abstract Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) and PTH share the common PTH/PTHrP receptor. Although an elevated level of circulating PTHrP in patients with malignancies causes hypercalcemia as does PTH, chronic and systemic effects of PTHrP on bone metabolism in humans are not well understood because tumor-burden patients showing hypercalcemia usually have a poor prognosis. We investigated bone and calcium metabolism in a patient with malignant islet cell tumors showing hypercalcemia due to the elevated plasma PTHrP level for 7 years. Hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria continued throughout the clinical course in spite of frequent infusions of bisphosphonates. Bone resorption markers and a bone formation marker were consistently elevated as seen in primary hyperparathyroidism, a disease caused by an autonomous hypersecretion of PTH. Based on biochemical measurements including bone markers and serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, the clinical features of this case essentially are the same as those of primary hyperparathyroidism except for the elevated level of plasma PTHrP with suppressed intact PTH level. Therefore, it is suggested that chronic and systemic effects of PTHrP on bone as well as calcium metabolism are indistinguishable from those of PTH in human. [source] Constitutive activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway impairs vitamin D signaling in human prostate epithelial cellsJOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Zhentao Zhang We studied the effect of prolonged activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling on 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D3) action in the immortalized human prostate epithelial cell line RWPE1 and its Ki-Ras transformed clone RWPE2. 1,25(OH)2D3 -treatment caused growth arrest and induced gene expression in both cell lines but the response was blunted in RWPE2 cells. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) levels were lower in RWPE2 cells but VDR over-expression did not increase vitamin-D-mediated gene transcription in either cell line. In contrast, MAPK inhibition restored normal vitamin D transcriptional responses in RWPE2 cells and MAPK activation with constitutively active MEK1R4F reduced vitamin-D-regulated transcription in RWPE1 cells. 1,25(OH)2D3 -mediated transcription depends upon the VDR and its heterodimeric partner the retinoid X receptor (RXR) so we studied whether changes in the VDR,RXR transcription complex occur in response to MAPK activation. Mutation of putative phosphorylation sites in the activation function 1 (AF-1) domain (S32A, T82A) of RXR, restored 1,25(OH)2D3 -mediated transactivation in RWPE2 cells. Mammalian two-hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed a vitamin-D-independent interaction between steroid receptor co-activator-1 (SRC-1) and RXR, that was reduced by MAPK activation and was restored in RWPE2 cells by mutating S32 and T82 in the RXR, AF-1 domain. Our data show that a common contributor to cancer development, prolonged activation of MAPK signaling, impairs 1,25(OH)2D3 -mediated transcription in prostate epithelial cells. This is due in part to the phosphorylation of critical amino acids in the RXR, AF-1 domain and impaired co-activator recruitment. J. Cell. Physiol. 224: 433,442, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Hereditary hypophosphatemias: New genes in the bone,kidney axis (Review Article)NEPHROLOGY, Issue 4 2007ARMANDO L NEGRI SUMMARY: Hypophosphatemia due to isolated renal phosphate wasting is a genetically heterogeneous disease. Two new genes linked to two different forms of hereditary hypophosphatemias have recently been described. Autosomal recessive form of hypophosphatemic rickets was mapped to chromosome 4q21 and identified homozygous mutations in dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) gene, which encodes a non-collagenous bone matrix protein. Intact plasma levels of the phosphaturic protein FGF23 (fibroblast growth factor 23) were clearly elevated in some of the affected individuals, providing a possible explanation for the phosphaturia and inappropriately normal 1,25(OH)2D levels, and suggesting that DMP1 may regulate FGF23 expression. Hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets with hypercalciuria is another rare disorder of autosomal recessive inheritance. Affected individuals present with hypercalciuria due to increased serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels and increased intestinal calcium absorption. The disease was mapped to a 1.6 Mbp region on chromosome 9q34, which contains SLC34A3, the gene encoding the renal sodium-phosphate cotransporter NaPi-IIc. This was the first demonstration that NaPi-IIc has a key role in the regulation of phosphate homeostasis. Thus, DMP1 and NaPi-IIc add two new members to the bone,kidney axis proposed since it was discovered that the first phosphatonin, FGF23, was of osteoblastic/osteocyte origin. This provides a mechanism for the skeleton to communicate with the kidney to coordinate the mineralization of extracelular matrix and the renal handling of phosphate. [source] Vitamin D production in psoriasis patients increases less with narrowband than with broadband ultraviolet B phototherapyPHOTODERMATOLOGY, PHOTOIMMUNOLOGY & PHOTOMEDICINE, Issue 3 2009Amra Osmancevic Background: Phototherapy of psoriasis is an effective treatment. In addition to standard broadband ultraviolet radiation B (UVB), (280,320 nm), narrowband phototherapy (NBUVB) (monochromatic UV between 311 and 312 nm) has become an important treatment for psoriasis. The same wavelength range of UVB (290,315 nm) induces synthesis of vitamin D. The aim was to compare the effect of broadband with NBUVB therapy on vitamin D synthesis in patients with psoriasis. Methods: Sixty-eight Caucasian patients (17 women and 51 men) mean age 54.1 ± 16.0 years, with active plaque psoriasis, were treated with broadband UVB (n=26) or NBUVB (n=42) two to three times/week for 8,12 weeks. The serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D3), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D3), intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium and creatinine were measured before the first exposure and after the last dose of radiation. Results: In broadband UVB treated patients, 25(OH)D3 increased from 37.9 ± 16.9 to 69.4 ± 19.7 ng/ml (P<0.0001) and in patients treated with NBUVB from 34.8 ± 11.9 to 55.3 ± 17.6 ng/ml (P<0.0001) and P=0.008 between the treatment groups. PTH decreased on broadband UVB (P<0.05). The serum concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D3, calcium or creatinine remained unaltered. Conclusion: Serum 25(OH)D3 in psoriasis patients increased less with NBUVB than with broadband UVB phototherapy. Psoriasis improved on both regimens. [source] Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and haplotypes, interactions with plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and prostate cancer riskTHE PROSTATE, Issue 9 2007Bahar Mikhak Abstract BACKGROUND The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is required for actions of vitamin D. The binding of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D to the VDR on prostatic epithelial cells prompts the regulation of cancer-related genes. METHODS We conducted a nested case-control study in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study to investigate the role of the VDR Cdx2, Fok1, and Bsm1 gene polymorphisms and associated haplotypes and their interaction with plasma vitamin D metabolites in relation to prostate cancer (PC) risk. RESULTS No association was found between these SNPs or their associated haplotypes and all PC subtypes except that haplotype 2 (A-f-b) with Cdx2 A, Fok1 f, and Bsm1 b alleles and haplotype 3 (A-F-B) with Cdx2 A, Fok1 F and Bsm1 B alleles compared to the most common haplotype (A-F-b), were associated with reduced risk of aggressive PC (high stage or Gleason sum ,7; P,=,0.02), both with two alleles suspected of being low risk. Carriers of the variant Cdx2 A allele who were deficient in plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (,15 ng/ml) compared to non-carriers with normal 25-hydroxyvitamin D, had a lower risk of total and poorly differentiated PCs (Gleason sum ,7) (P for interaction,=,0.02 and 0.04, respectively). Plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D deficiency (,26 pg/ml) was associated with a threefold risk of poorly differentiated PC (P for interaction,=,0.01) when comparing carriers of the Cdx2 A allele to non-carriers with normal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. CONCLUSION In this population of men, none of the VDR polymorphisms studied was associated with susceptibility to PC. Prostate 67: 911,923, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] In vivo real-time imaging of TGF-,-induced transcriptional activation of the RANK ligand gene promoter in intraosseous prostate cancerTHE PROSTATE, Issue 4 2004Jian Zhang Abstract BACKGROUND Current animal models of prostate cancer (CaP) bone metastasis do not allow measurement of either tumor growth in bone over time or activation of gene promoters in intraosseous tumors. To develop these methods, we used bioluminescent imaging (BLI) to determine if expression of receptor activator of NF-,B ligand (RANKL), a pro-osteoclastogenic factor that promotes CaP bone metastases, is modulated by the bone matrix protein transforming growth factor-, (TGF-,) in vivo. METHODS C4-2B human CaP cells were treated with TGF-, in vitro and RANKL mRNA and protein production were measured by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ELISA, respectively. Then C4-2B cells stably transfected with the RANKL promoter driving luciferase (lux) were injected intra-tibially into severe combined immundeficient (SCID) mice. Tumors were subjected to BLI every 2 weeks for 6 weeks and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) was measured using ELISA. Vehicle (V), 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D (VitD), or TGF-, was administered to mice with established tumors and BLI to measure RANKL promoter activity was performed. Tumors were then subjected to immunohistochemistry for lux and assayed for RANKL mRNA levels. RESULTS TGF-, induced RANKL protein and mRNA expression and activated the RANKL promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. BLI demonstrated an increase in intraosseous tumor size over time, which correlated with serum PSA levels. Administration of TGF-, and VitD to mice with established intraosseous tumors increased lux activity compared to V. Intratibial tumor RANKL mRNA expression paralleled the increased promoter activity. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of lux in the intraosseous tumors. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the ability to measure intraosseous tumor growth over time and gene promoter activation in an established intraosseous tumor in vivo and also demonstrate that TGF-, induces activates the RANKL promoter. These results provide a novel method to explore the biology of CaP bone metastases. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Percent true calcium absorption, mineral metabolism, and bone mass in children with arthritis: Effect of supplementation with vitamin D3 and calcium,,ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 10 2008Laura S. Hillman Objective To assess whether percent true calcium absorption (,) is normal and whether supplementation with placebo, vitamin D3 (2,000 IU/day), calcium (1,000 mg/day), or vitamin D3 plus calcium improves ,, mineral metabolism, or bone mass accrual in children with arthritis. Methods Eighteen children received all 4 treatments, each for 6 months, in 4 different, randomly assigned orders. Changes in levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH]2D), parathyroid hormone, bone turnover markers, and minerals and in bone mineral content were measured. Calcium absorption was determined with a dual stable isotope method using 48Ca administered intravenously and 46Ca administered orally, and measuring 48Ca, 46Ca, and 42Ca in a 24-hour urine specimen by high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. Wilcoxon's signed rank test was used both to identify significant change over the treatment period with a given regimen and to compare change with an experimental treatment versus change with placebo. Results Percent true calcium absorption was in the lower-normal range and did not differ by treatment (mean ± SD 28.3 ± 20.2% with placebo, 26.1 ± 12.1% with calcium, 19.2 ± 11.7% with vitamin D3, and 27.1 ± 16.5% with vitamin D3 plus calcium). With vitamin D3 and vitamin D3 plus calcium treatment, 25(OH)D levels were increased and 1,25(OH)2D levels were maintained. Serum calcium levels were increased only with vitamin D3 and vitamin D3 plus calcium treatment. Levels of bone turnover markers and increases in bone mineral content did not differ by treatment. Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that percent true calcium absorption is low-normal in children with arthritis. Vitamin D3 at 2,000 IU/day increases serum 25(OH)D and calcium levels but does not improve bone mass accretion. Calcium at 1,000 mg/day also failed to improve bone mass. [source] Assessing vitamin D in the central nervous systemACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2010T. Holmøy Holmøy T, Moen SM. Assessing vitamin D in the central nervous system. Acta Neurol Scand: 2010: 122 (Suppl. 190): 88,92. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Epidemiological and experimental evidence suggest that vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. The activated form of vitamin D exerts several immunomodulating properties in vitro and in vivo, that could contribute to explain the association with multiple sclerosis. Hypovitaminosis D is also associated with several other neurological diseases that is less likely mediated by dysregulated immune responses, including Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and affective disorders, suggesting a more diverse role for vitamin D in the maintenance of brain health. Accordingly, both the vitamin D receptor and the enzymes necessary to synthesize bioactive 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D are expressed in the brain, and hypovitaminosis D is associated with abnormal development and function of the brain. We here review current knowledge on the intrathecal vitamin D homeostasis in heath and disease, highlighting the need to assess vitamin D in the intrathecal compartment. [source] |