Vitamin D-endocrine system

Abstract

Technological advancements over the past 15 yr in development and application of assays for PTH, vitamin D and its metabolites, and the synthesis and availability of 25-OHD3 1,25-(OH)2D3, 1a-hydroxyvitamin D3 and other metabolites of the vitamin in stable and [3H]labeled forms for clinical and basic studies have permitted delineation of the role of the vitamin D-endocrine system in health and disease both in human and laboratory animals. The recent demonstration of receptors in a variety of tissues not previously regarded as targets for 1,25(OH)2D has provided exciting new concepts and raised many important questions concerning the possible physiologic and pathophysiologic role of vitamin D and offered new approaches for the treatment of diseases heretofore not related to the vitamin. This, together with recent technical developments in cellular and molecular biology, should allow an even more rapid advance of knowledge in an already very active field.