Vitamin D – The sunshine vitamin

Vitamin D Analytical Services

Vitamin D and its metabolites are widely studied in pharmaceutical development, clinical research, nutritional studies and population-based research. Vitas provides quantitative analysis of vitamin D compounds in biological samples, dried blood spots and pharmaceutical or nutritional products as part of contract analytical services for professional customers.

Vitas operates exclusively on a business-to-business basis. We do not sell vitamin D tests, products or analytical services directly to private individuals.

Vitamin D and its metabolites

Vitamin D occurs primarily as vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, and vitamin D2, or ergocalciferol. Vitamin D may be obtained through the diet or produced in the skin following exposure to ultraviolet light.

In the body, vitamin D is converted into several metabolites. The principal circulating forms include:

• 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, or 25-OH-D3;

• 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, or 25-OH-D2;

• 3-epi-25-hydroxyvitamin D3;

• 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.

The choice of analyte depends on the scientific objective, sample matrix, study design and intended purpose of the project.

Vitamin D analysis in biological samples

Vitas offers quantitative analysis of vitamin D and related compounds in matrices including:

• plasma;

• serum;

• dried blood spots;

• volumetric microsamples, including Mitra devices;

• other project-specific biological matrices.

Analytical services may include measurement of:

• 25-OH-D3;

• 25-OH-D2;

• 3-epi-25-OH-D3;

• 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D;

• vitamin D-binding protein;

• combinations of vitamin D with other fat-soluble vitamins or biomarkers.

Available analytical platforms include LC-MS/MS, LC-MS, LC-UV and immunoassay-based methods, depending on the analyte and project requirements.

Dried blood spot analysis

Dried blood spot sampling can support decentralised sample collection and transportation in clinical, nutritional and population-based research.

Vitas has extensive experience with high-throughput DBS analysis and provides project-specific services covering:

• analytical method development;

• method transfer;

• validation and verification;

• sample preparation;

• quantitative analysis;

• quality control;

• data reporting.

The suitability of DBS sampling depends on the analyte, collection device, sample volume, haematocrit, storage conditions and intended use. These factors are assessed as part of the individual project.

Pharmaceutical and product analysis

Vitas also provides vitamin D analysis in pharmaceutical, nutritional and raw-material samples, including:

• tablets;

• capsules;

• oils;

• cod liver oil;

• algae and other raw materials;

• formulated products.

Services may include assay, identification, dissolution, degradation products and stability-related analysis.

Contract analytical services

Vitas performs vitamin D analysis for professional customers such as:

• pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies;

• universities and research institutions;

• hospitals and clinical study sponsors;

• food and nutrition companies;

• contract research organisations;

• manufacturers of pharmaceutical and nutritional products.

Projects may support:

• pharmaceutical development;

• clinical studies;

• nutritional intervention studies;

• population and epidemiological research;

• method development and validation;

• stability studies;

• product characterisation;

• quality-control programmes.

The analytical method, validation level, sample requirements, reporting format and quality controls are agreed for each project.

The project sponsor or customer defines the intended purpose, study design, regulatory status and interpretation of the analytical results. Vitas is responsible for the analytical performance and quality of the laboratory services provided.

Related analytical services

Vitamin D may also be analysed together with related biomarkers, including:

• vitamin A and retinol;

• retinol-binding protein 4;

• vitamin K2 and menaquinone-7;

• steroid hormones;

• vitamin D-binding protein;

• selected lipid and nutritional biomarkers.

The selection of analytes is determined by the scientific objectives of the individual project.

Contact

For information about vitamin D analysis, DBS projects, method development or contract analytical services, please contact:

Thomas E. Gundersen
teg@vitas.no
+47 928 08 973

General enquiries and quotations
mail@vitas.no
+47 24 07 76 66