Ercalcidiol
Detailed information about Ercalcidiol, its role, and significance in medicine.
Ercalcidiol[edit | edit source]
Ercalcidiol, also known as 25-hydroxyergocalciferol, is a vitamin D metabolite that plays a crucial role in the regulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism in the human body. It is a form of vitamin D2 that is hydroxylated in the liver, and it is an important marker for assessing vitamin D status in patients.
Chemical Structure and Properties[edit | edit source]
Ercalcidiol is a secosteroid, which means it is a steroid with a "broken" ring. Its chemical formula is C28H44O2, and it has a molecular weight of 412.65 g/mol. The structure of ercalcidiol includes a hydroxyl group at the 25th carbon position, which is critical for its biological activity.
Biosynthesis[edit | edit source]
Ercalcidiol is synthesized in the liver from ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) through the action of the enzyme 25-hydroxylase. Ergocalciferol is obtained from dietary sources or supplements and is converted to ercalcidiol as part of the body's mechanism to maintain adequate levels of active vitamin D.
Biological Role[edit | edit source]
Ercalcidiol is an intermediate in the metabolic pathway of vitamin D. It is further hydroxylated in the kidneys by the enzyme 1-alpha-hydroxylase to form calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D), the biologically active form of vitamin D. Calcitriol is essential for the absorption of calcium and phosphate from the gastrointestinal tract, and it plays a vital role in bone health and immune function.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
The measurement of ercalcidiol levels in the blood is used to assess vitamin D status in patients. Low levels of ercalcidiol can indicate vitamin D deficiency, which is associated with conditions such as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Conversely, high levels may indicate vitamin D toxicity, which can lead to hypercalcemia and associated complications.
Laboratory Measurement[edit | edit source]
Ercalcidiol levels are typically measured using immunoassays or liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). These methods provide accurate quantification of ercalcidiol and other vitamin D metabolites in the serum.
Also see[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
