25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 (CAS 19356-17-3)

25-Hydroxyvitamin D3, also known as calcifediol, serves a pivotal role in the metabolism of vitamin D, functioning primarily as a critical biomarker for assessing vitamin D status in various research applications. It is synthesized in the liver through the hydroxylation of vitamin D3 by the enzyme vitamin D-25-hydroxylase. This compound is of particular interest in research due to its relatively stable nature compared to other forms of vitamin D, which fluctuate more markedly with changes in exposure to sunlight or dietary intake. In the scientific study of vitamin D pathways, 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 is extensively utilized to understand the regulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism by the body, critical for maintaining skeletal integrity and cellular function. It is also used in epidemiological studies to correlate vitamin D levels with various health outcomes, helping to elucidate the role of this vitamin in human physiology. The measurement of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 levels in serum serves as the most reliable indicator of vitamin D supply to the body from cutaneous synthesis and nutrition, making it a vital tool in research applications to monitor and investigate the effects of vitamin D on a molecular level.