Vitamin D analogues
{{short description|Group of chemical compounds}}
The natural, active form of vitamin D is calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol). This molecule and other naturally occurring forms of vitamin D, including its precursors and metabolites, have been modified to synthesize pharmaceuticals with potentially greater, or selective, therapeutic actions.{{cite journal | vauthors = Ashcroft DM, Po AL, Williams HC, Griffiths CE | title = Systematic review of comparative efficacy and tolerability of calcipotriol in treating chronic plaque psoriasis | journal = BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) | volume = 320 | issue = 7240 | pages = 963–7 | date = April 2000 | pmid = 10753146 | pmc = 27334 | doi = 10.1136/bmj.320.7240.963 }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Martin KJ, González EA | title = Vitamin D analogues for the management of secondary hyperparathyroidism | journal = American Journal of Kidney Diseases | volume = 38 | issue = 5 Suppl 5 | pages = S34–40 | date = November 2001 | pmid = 11689385 | doi = 10.1053/ajkd.2001.28109 }}{{cite journal | vauthors = O'Neill JL, Feldman SR | title = Vitamine D analogue-based therapies for psoriasis | journal = Drugs of Today | volume = 46 | issue = 5 | pages = 351–60 | date = May 2010 | pmid = 20517536 | doi = 10.1358/dot.2010.46.5.1473264 }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Birlea SA, Costin GE, Norris DA | title = Cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the action of vitamin D analogs targeting vitiligo depigmentation | journal = Current Drug Targets | volume = 9 | issue = 4 | pages = 345–59 | date = April 2008 | pmid = 18393827 | doi = 10.2174/138945008783954970 }}
Types
These include:
- Alfacalcidol
- Calcipotriol (calcipotriene)
- Doxercalciferol
- Falecalcitriol
- Paricalcitol
- Tacalcitol
Mechanisms
These modified vitamin D analogues have a side chain or other modifications. They aim to reduce the classical renal and intestinal effects of calcitriol on calcium and phosphate homeostasis, from its effects on other biologic processes.{{cite journal | vauthors = Bikle DD | title = Vitamin D metabolism, mechanism of action, and clinical applications | journal = Chemistry & Biology | volume = 21 | issue = 3 | pages = 319–29 | date = March 2014 | pmid = 24529992 | pmc = 3968073 | doi = 10.1016/j.chembiol.2013.12.016 }} They target cell proliferation and differentiation, especially in skin, or other effects in the parathyroid gland (secondary hyperparathyroidism) or bone cells.