Merck, C9774-5AMP, Cholecalciferol

General description
Cholecalciferol, also called vitamin D₃, promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the body to regulate bone growth. It is most commonly found in humans and animals and is produced in our skin when exposed to sunlight. It is used to treat and prevent bone disorders (such as rickets, osteomalacia).
Application
Cholecalciferol may be used as an analytical reference standard for the determination of the analyte in pharmaceutical formulations by liquid chromatography.
Cholecalciferol has been used as an internal standard in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to analyze serum vitamin D levels. It has also been used as a standard in liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) to quantify vitamin D3 in sunflower oil.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Vitamin D acts through a receptor that is a member of the ligand-dependent transcription factor superfamily. Modulates the proliferation and differentiation of both normal and cancer cells. Has antiproliferative and antimetastatic effects on breast, colon, and prostate cancer cells. Activated vitamin D receptors in intestine and bone maintain calcium absorbance and homeostasis.
Vitamin D acts through a receptor that modulates the proliferation and differentiation of both normal and cancer cells.
Cholecalciferol is sourced either through the diet or exposing skin to ultraviolet rays. Oral administration of vitamin D3 is readily absorbed and is stored in adipose tissue. Deficiency of vitamin D is often observed in chronic kidney disease.
Packaging
Packaged in flame-sealed ampules under Argon