VITAMIN D 1, 25-DIHYDROXY

VITAMIN D 1,25-DIHYDROXY, ALSO KNOWN AS CALCITRIOL, IS THE BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE FORM OF VITAMIN D. IT PLAYS A CRUCIAL ROLE IN MAINTAINING CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS LEVELS IN THE BLOOD, WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL FOR BONE HEALTH AND VARIOUS OTHER BODILY FUNCTIONS. THIS HORMONE IS PRODUCED IN THE KIDNEYS THROUGH A SERIES OF ENZYMATIC REACTIONS INVOLVING THE INACTIVE FORMS OF VITAMIN D. IT REGULATES THE ABSORPTION OF CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS FROM THE INTESTINES, PROMOTES BONE MINERALIZATION, AND INFLUENCES THE ACTIVITY OF THE PARATHYROID HORMONE. ADDITIONALLY, 1,25-DIHYDROXYVITAMIN D HAS BEEN IMPLICATED IN VARIOUS OTHER PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES, INCLUDING IMMUNE FUNCTION, CELL GROWTH, AND DIFFERENTIATION.