title: The current status of the vitamin D metabolites.
abstract: Research over the last fifteen years has led to the identification of several metabolites of vitamin D, elucidation of their mechanism of action, clarification of the pathogenesis of several metabolic bone diseases, and development of new diagnostic tests and more effective and safe treatment. 1, 25(OH)2 D, the most active metabolite, can be regarded as a highly potent steroid hormone, with its formation from its precursors tightly coupled to physiological need by a variety of ionic and hormonal regulating mechanisms.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000378:metabolism*; D004100:Dihydroxycholecalciferols / Q000378:metabolism; D004872:Ergocalciferols / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols / Q000378:metabolism; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004100:Dihydroxycholecalciferols; D004872:Ergocalciferols; D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols; D002762:Cholecalciferol; D010758:Phosphorus; D002118:Calcium