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Related Concept Videos

Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis01:23

Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis

The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health01:25

Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health

The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Vitamins01:30

Vitamins

Vitamins, derived from the Latin word for life, are essential organic substances required in small quantities for optimal growth and overall well-being. Unlike other organic nutrients, vitamins don't act as sources of energy or building materials but rather facilitate these nutrients' utilization by the body. Vitamins are predominantly coenzymes, assisting enzymes in specific chemical actions, like the oxidation of glucose for energy involving B vitamins. Most vitamins are not produced in our...
Connective Tissue Cell Types01:22

Connective Tissue Cell Types

Connective tissue develops from the mesoderm of a developing embryo and consists of cells, fibers, and ground substance: a gel-like material containing large complexes of carbohydrates and proteins. Connective tissue was first identified as a separate tissue family in the 18th century, and Johannes Peter Muller coined the term connective tissue.
Fat cells (adipocytes), smooth muscle cells (myoblasts), and bone cells (osteoblasts) are some connective tissue cell types. Some immune system cells...
Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis01:21

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Calcium is not only the most abundant mineral in bone but also the most abundant mineral in the human body. Calcium ions are needed for bone mineralization, tooth health, heart rate regulation and strength of contraction, blood coagulation, the contraction of smooth and skeletal muscle cells, and the regulation of nerve impulse conduction. The average calcium level in the blood is about 10 mg/dL. When the body cannot maintain this level, a person will experience hypo or hypercalcemia.
Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants01:18

Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants

Oral anticoagulants are vital tools in preventing and treating blood clotting disorders. This diverse class of medications can be categorized as vitamin K antagonists, exemplified by warfarin, and direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs), such as dabigatran, as well as factor Xa inhibitors, including rivaroxaban.
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...

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Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

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Re: Bobelyak M, Vaculik J, Stepan JJ. Bone mineral density assessment using Radiofrequency Echographic Mult Spectrometry (REMS) in patients before and after total hip replacement, Osteoporos Int 2025;https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-025-07685-w and Re: Pocock N, Chan D. Editorial: Is REMS-BMD truly a measured parameter? A call for transparency and technical clarification, Osteoporos Int 2025;https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-025-07699-4.

Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA·2025
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A consensus statement on the management of vertebral fractures in CKD stages G4-G5D.

Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association·2025
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Development and validation of a highly-sensitive, quantitative LC-MS/MS assay to evaluate plasma oxytocin.

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Opportunities, challenges, and difficulties in NMR-based metabolomics applied to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patient follow-up.

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Diagnostic and prognostic yields of ambulatory blood pressure measurements in haemodialysis patients: a 6-year longitudinal study.

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Optimisation of vitamin D status in global populations.

Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
10:46

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data

Published on: December 9, 2015

[Vitamin D2 or vitamin D3?].

V I Mistretta1, P Delanaye, J-P Chapelle

  • 1Service de chimie médicale, CHU de Liège, université de Liège, domaine du Sart-Tilman, Liège, Belgique.

La Revue De Medecine Interne
|April 15, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Vitamin D3 is more effective than vitamin D2 for increasing serum 25(OH)D levels. Vitamin D2 should not be used for supplementation or fortification due to its lower efficacy.

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Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Alveolar Periosteum and Effects of Vitamin D on Osteogenic Activity of Periosteum-derived Cells
06:47

Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Alveolar Periosteum and Effects of Vitamin D on Osteogenic Activity of Periosteum-derived Cells

Published on: May 4, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 6, 2026

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
10:46

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data

Published on: December 9, 2015

Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Alveolar Periosteum and Effects of Vitamin D on Osteogenic Activity of Periosteum-derived Cells
06:47

Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Alveolar Periosteum and Effects of Vitamin D on Osteogenic Activity of Periosteum-derived Cells

Published on: May 4, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Endocrinology

Context:

  • Vitamin D deficiency affects nearly one billion people globally.
  • Vitamin D is available as ergocalciferol (D2) and cholecalciferol (D3) in supplements and fortified foods.

Purpose:

  • To evaluate the comparative efficacy of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 in raising serum 25(OH)D levels.
  • To determine if vitamin D2 and D3 are interchangeable for supplementation and fortification.

Summary:

  • Pharmacopoeias currently consider vitamin D2 and D3 equivalent.
  • Multiple studies indicate vitamin D3 is more effective than vitamin D2 in increasing serum 25(OH)D.
  • Vitamin D2 exhibits a shorter plasma half-life and lower binding affinity to key proteins and receptors.

Impact:

  • Vitamin D2 is less suitable for supplementation and fortification than previously thought.
  • Current practices in some countries (e.g., Portugal, Australia) still favor vitamin D2, despite evidence of lower efficacy.