The effects of dihydrotachysterol therapy on the measurement of plasma 1,25-(OH)2-vitamin D in humans.

Anephric patients have undetectable plasma concentrations of 1,25-(OH)2-D, but when anephric patients are treated with DHT2 (Hytakerol), their plasma contains a substance that is co-purified with and displaces authentic 3H-1,25(OH)2-D3 from its intestinal cytoplasmic receptor. The concentration of this substance in the plasma of anephric patients taking DHT2 is proportional to the administered daily dose of DHT2 per kilogram body weight. When DHT2 therapy is discontinued, the substance disappears from plasma with an average t 1/2 of about 8 days.