Evaluation of an Automated Competitive Protein-Binding Assay for 25-Hydroxyvitamin D.

Background: The measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D is of increasing importance in the management of patients with mineral disorders. However, there are a great variety of test results for 25-hyroxyvitamin D depending on the method used. In this report a new automated method provided by Roche diagnostics (Elecsys Vitamin D Total assay) and the previously marketed method are compared to a reference method (Immundiagnostik ELISA).

Alfacalcidol versus plain vitamin D in inflammation induced bone loss.

Inflammatory diseases lead to systemic osteoporosis. Causal factors include increased circulating concentrations of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), glucocorticoid medication, and reduced physical activity. In addition, disturbances of vitamin D metabolism play an important role for the development of inflammation induced osteoporosis.