INTRODUCTION Incomplete human extravillous trophoblast (EVT) invasion of the decidua and maternal spiral arteries is characteristic of pre-eclampsia, a condition linked to low maternal vitamin D status. It is hypothesized that dysregulated vitamin D action in uteroplacental tissues disrupts EVT invasion leading to malplacentation. METHODS This study assessed the effects of the active vitamin ...

IITOYO et al. and LAWSON et al. reported that vitamin D3 caused a slight de crease in the activities of Mg-activated DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (1, 2) and Mn++-activated DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (2). However, it is known that calcium inhibits RNA polymerase (3). Since the calcium content of the in testine in vitamin D-treated animals must be higher, the decrease in RNA poly merase activit...

BACKGROUND Vitamin D supplementation is recommended to maintain bone health in the general population and in particular in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). While the nutritional status of vitamin D is assessed by circulating levels of 25 (OH) D3, it is not routinely measured to ensure the adequacy of vitamin D supplementation. Current recommendations require the maintenance of serum ...

Pregnancy and lactation are associated with changes in vitamin D and calcium metabolism but the impact of these changes on vitamin D expenditure is unknown. We measured plasma 25(OH)D3 half-life with a stable-isotope tracer and investigated relationships with vitamin D metabolites in pregnant, lactating and 'non-pregnant, non-lactating' (NPNL) women. Vitamin D metabolites, vitamin D binding pro...

The consequences of vitamin D deficiency can be severe. It is therefore recommended that Swiss infants have a minimum intake of 10 μg of vitamin D3 per day during the first 12 mo of life (1). For this purpose they are prescribed an “alcoholic” preparation that contains vitamin D3 (1). Infants given preparations containing vitamin D3 either dissolved in alcohol or in peanut oil very much prefer ...

In a classical sense, vitamin D3, the form produced in animals, is not a true “vitamin” because it is produced in the skin from 7-dehydrocholesterol by UV radiation in the range 290 to 300 nm; 7-dehydrocholesterol is produced from cholesterol metabolism. Only when exposure to sunlight is inadequate does vitamin D3 become a vitamin in the historical sense. Further, vitamin D3 is now termed a pro...

It has been shown that mammalian cytochrome P450scc can metabolize vitamin D3 to 20-hydroxyvitamin D3 (20(OH)D3) and 20,22(OH)2D3. To define the biological significance of this pathway, we tested the effects of 20(OH)D3 on the differentiation program of keratinocytes and on the expression of enzymes engaged in vitamin D3 metabolism. Immortalized HaCaT and adult human epidermal keratinocytes wer...

Background: Several lines of evidence suggest that oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL) scavenger receptors play a crucial role in the genesis and progression of diabetic atherosclerosis. This study aimed to elucidate the effect of vitamin D3 on gene expression of lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1), scavenger receptor-A (SR-A), Cluster of Differentiation 36 (CD36), and Cluster of Differentiation 68 (...

Traditional methods of depression treatment with the use of pharmacotherapy with antidepressants have limited effectiveness. Biological, psychological and environmental causes of depressive disorders are known, but pathophysiology of depression has not been fully explained. Many factors and mechanisms play role in the pathophysiology of depression, one of which may be vitamin D3 deficiency. Def...

Background: One strategy for improving population vitamin D status is consumption of fortified foods. However, the effects of dairy products fortified with different vitamin D isoforms on postprandial vitamin D status and metabolic outcomes have not been addressed.Objective: We investigated whether consumption of dairy drinks fortified with either 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25(OH)D3] or choleca...