Metabolism and action of the hormone vitamin D. Its relation to diseases of calcium homeostasis.

Extensive experimental evidence has established a significant role of calciferol in the maintenance of normal calcium homeostasis. Present knowledge indicates that vitamin D(3) must first be converted to 25-OH-D(3) and then to 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), the most active known form of the steroid. Many of the factors regulating the rate of production of this last steroid from its precurser have been evaluated, and the concept that vitamin D functions as a steroid hormone seems to be well established. Deranged action of calciferol, caused by impaired metabolism of the steroid or through altered sensitivity of target tissues, may be involved in the pathophysiology of several disease states with abnormal calcium metabolism. It is noted that liver disease, osteomalacia due to anticonvulsant therapy, chronic renal failure, hypophosphatemic rickets, hypoparathyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, sarcoidosis and idiopathic hypercalciuria have possible relation to alterations in metabolism or action of vitamin D. The future clinical availability of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) and other analogs of this steroid may offer potential therapeutic benefit in the treatment of certain of the disease entities discussed.