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Updated: May 9, 2026

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
Vitamin D activities and metabolic bone disease
Jackson W Ryan1, Paul H Anderson, Andrew G Turner
1School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Chemical Pathology Directorate and Hanson Institute, SA Pathology, Adelaide South Australia 5000, Australia.
Adequate vitamin D status, indicated by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, is crucial for bone health. Sufficient vitamin D levels improve bone density and reduce fracture risk, impacting osteoporosis prevention.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Bone Metabolism
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Vitamin D status, determined by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, is essential for vitamin D activity.
- Vitamin D deficiency is linked to osteomalacia and osteoporosis, characterized by impaired bone mineralization.
- The endocrine pathway of vitamin D metabolism regulates calcium and phosphate homeostasis, protecting against osteomalacia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in bone health beyond its endocrine functions.
- To investigate the local (autocrine/paracrine) metabolism of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in bone cells.
- To understand the interaction between dietary calcium and vitamin D metabolism in regulating bone anabolism and catabolism.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels.
- Gene expression analysis for vitamin D receptor and 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1α-hydroxylase.
- Assessment of bone mineral density and fracture risk.
- Investigation of vitamin D metabolism in isolated bone cell types.
- Evaluation of calcium intake effects on vitamin D pathways.
Main Results:
- Adequate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels correlate with improved bone mineral density and reduced fracture risk.
- Bone cells (osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts) can metabolize 25-hydroxyvitamin D to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, activating local vitamin D receptors.
- Dietary calcium influences vitamin D's action on bone, promoting anabolism with sufficient intake and catabolism with inadequate intake.
Conclusions:
- Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are a key indicator of bone health, influencing both endocrine and local bone metabolism.
- Local vitamin D metabolism in bone cells contributes to maintaining bone integrity and responding to nutritional cues.
- Optimizing both vitamin D status and dietary calcium intake is critical for promoting bone health and preventing skeletal disorders.
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