Calcifediol is strongly bound in blood by the vitamin D-binding protein.[4] Measurement of serum calcifediol is the usual test performed to determine a person's vitamin D status, to show vitamin D deficiency or sufficiency.[3][4] Calcifediol is available as an oral medication in some countries to supplement vitamin D status.[3][5][6]
Biology
Calcifediol is the precursor for calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D.[2][3] It is synthesized in the liver, by hydroxylation of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) at the 25-position.[2] This enzymatic 25-hydroxylase reaction is mostly due to the actions of CYP2R1, present in microsomes, although other enzymes such as mitochondrialCYP27A1 can contribute.[4][7] Variations in the expression and activity of CYP2R1, such as low levels in obesity, affect circulating calcifediol.[7] Similarly, vitamin D2, ergocalciferol, can also be 25-hydroxylated to form 25-hydroxyergocalciferol, (ercalcidiol, 25(OH)D2);[1] both forms are measured together in blood as 25(OH)D.[2][3]
At a typical intake of cholecalciferol (up to 2000 IU/day), conversion to calcifediol is rapid. When large doses are given (100,000 IU), it takes 7 days to reach peak calcifediol concentrations.[8] Calcifediol binds in the blood to vitamin D-binding protein (also known as gc-globulin) and is the main circulating vitamin D metabolite.[3][4] Calcifediol has an elimination half-life of around 15 to 30 days.[3][8]
Calcifediol is further hydroxylated at the 1-alpha-position in the kidneys to form 1,25-(OH)2D3, calcitriol.[2][3] This enzymatic 25(OH)D-1α-hydroxylase reaction is performed exclusively by CYP27B1, which is highly expressed in the kidneys where it is principally regulated by parathyroid hormone, but also by FGF23 and calcitriol itself.[2][4][7] CYP27B1 is also expressed in a number of other tissues, including macrophages, monocytes, keratinocytes, placenta and parathyroid gland and extra-renal synthesis of calcitriol from calcifediol has been shown to have biological effects in these tissues.[7][9]
Calcifediol is also converted into 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol by 24-hydroxylation.[2] This enzymatic reaction is performed by CYP24A1 which is expressed in many vitamin D target tissues including kidney, and is induced by calcitriol.[4] This will inactivate calcitriol to calcitroic acid, but 24,25-(OH)2D3 may have some biological actions itself.[4]
In medical practice, a blood test for 25-hydroxy-vitamin D, 25(OH)D, is used to determine an individual's vitamin D status.[10] The name 25(OH)D refers to any combination of calcifediol (25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol), derived from vitamin D3, and ercalcidiol (25-hydroxy-ergocalciferol),[1] derived from vitamin D2. The first of these (also known as 25-hydroxy vitamin D3) is made by the body, or is sourced from certain animal foods or cholecalciferol supplements. The second (25-hydroxy vitamin D2) is from certain vegetable foods or ergocalciferol supplements.[10] Clinical tests for 25(OH)D often measure the total level of both of these two compounds together, generally without differentiating.[11]
This measurement is considered the best indicator of overall vitamin D status.[10][12][13] US labs generally report 25(OH)D levels as ng/mL. Other countries use nmol/L. Multiply ng/mL by 2.5 to convert to nmol/L.[3]
This test can be used to diagnose vitamin D deficiency, and is performed in people with high risk for vitamin D deficiency, when the results of the test can be used to support beginning replacement therapy with vitamin D supplements.[3][14]
Patients with osteoporosis, chronic kidney disease, malabsorption, obesity, and some other infections may be at greater risk for being vitamin D-deficient and so are more likely to have this test.[14] Although vitamin D deficiency is common in some populations including those living at higher latitudes or with limited sun exposure, the 25(OH)D test is not usually requested for the entire population.[14] Physicians may advise low risk patients to take over-the-counter vitamin D supplements in place of having screening.[14]
It is the most sensitive measure, though experts have called for improved standardization and reproducibility across different laboratories.[3][12] According to MedlinePlus, the recommended range of 25(OH)D is 20 to 40 ng/mL (50 to 100 nmol/L) though they recognize many experts recommend 30 to 50 ng/mL (75 to 125 nmol/L).[10] The normal range varies widely depending on several factors, including age and geographic location. A broad reference range of 20 to 150 nmol/L (8-60 ng/mL) has also been suggested,[15] while other studies have defined levels below 80 nmol/L (32 ng/mL) as indicative of vitamin D deficiency.[16]
Increasing calcifediol levels up to levels of 80 nmol/L (32 ng/mL) are associated with increasing the fraction of calcium that is absorbed from the gut.[12] Urinary calcium excretion balances intestinal calcium absorption and does not increase with calcifediol levels up to ~400 nmol/L (160 ng/mL).[17]
Calcifediol may have advantages over cholecalciferol for the correction of vitamin D deficiency states.[5] A review of the results of nine randomized control trials which compared oral doses of both, found that calcifediol was 3.2-fold more potent than cholecalciferol.[5] Calcifediol is better absorbed from the intestine and has greater affinity for the vitamin-D-binding protein, both of which increase its bioavailability.[19] Orally administered calcifediol has a much shorter half-life with faster elimination.[19] These properties may be beneficial in people with intestinal malabsorption, obesity, or treated with certain other medications.[19]
In 2016, the FDA approved a formulation of calcifediol (Rayaldee) 60 microgram daily as a prescription medication to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease.[6]
Interactive pathway map
Click on genes, proteins and metabolites below to link to respective articles.[§ 1]
Research in the laboratory of Hector DeLuca identified 25(OH)D in 1968 and showed that the liver was necessary for its formation.[20] The enzyme responsible for this synthesis, cholecalciferol 25-hydroxylase, was isolated in the same laboratory by Michael F. Holick in 1972.[21]
Research
Studies are ongoing comparing the effects of calcifediol with other forms of vitamin D including cholecalciferol in prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.[2][19]
^ abcdefghi"Vitamin D". Micronutrient Information Center, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 11 February 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
^ abcQuesada-Gomez JM, Bouillon R (August 2018). "Is calcifediol better than cholecalciferol for vitamin D supplementation?". Osteoporosis International (review). 29 (8): 1697–1711. doi:10.1007/s00198-018-4520-y. PMID29713796. S2CID14005489.
Sattar N, Welsh P, Panarelli M, Forouhi NG (January 2012). "Increasing requests for vitamin D measurement: costly, confusing, and without credibility". Lancet. 379 (9811): 95–6. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61816-3. PMID22243814. S2CID12669468.
Bilinski KL, Boyages SC (July 2012). "The rising cost of vitamin D testing in Australia: time to establish guidelines for testing". The Medical Journal of Australia. 197 (2): 90. doi:10.5694/mja12.10561. PMID22794049. S2CID45880893.
^Holick MF, DeLuca HF, Avioli LV (January 1972). "Isolation and identification of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol from human plasma". Archives of Internal Medicine. 129 (1): 56–61. doi:10.1001/archinte.1972.00320010060005. PMID4332591.
