[Assay of serum 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol by a competitive protein binding method]

24-25(OH)2 D3 is a vitamin D metabolite due to renal 24-hydroxylation of 25OHD3. The metabolite has some important biological functions on the bone and intestine. Its affinity to the D serum binding protein allows a competitive binding protein assay to be carried out as for 25OHD3, following a chromatographic purification step on Sephadex LH 20. Serum levels of the metabolite in 18 control subjects were found to be 2,69 +/- 1,34 ng/ml while 25OHD3 was 17,41 +/- 7,39 ng/ml and the ratio 24-25(OH)2D3 /25OHD3 in the serum was 0,15. The assay of 24-25(OH)2D3 is useful for physiological studies and for identification of vitamin D depletion states.