Glossary

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
Nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions for the development and functioning of living organisms.
DEQAS
Vitamin D External Quality Assessment Scheme.
Diabetes mellitus
A metabolic disorder in which blood sugar (glucose) levels are abnormally high because the body does not produce enough insulin to move the sugar into cells.
Dietary Reference Intake (DRI)
The daily amount of a nutrient needed to maintain health and prevent nutrient deficiencies as well as reduce risk of chronic disease as established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine.
Dihydrotachysterol (DHT)
Vitamin D analogue that is a synthetic reduction product of tachysterol, a close isomer of vitamin D.
Dihydrotachysterol2 (DHT2)
Vitamin D analogue that is hydroxylated in vivo to 25OHDHT2 and 1,25OH2DHT2, both of which may suppress PTH gene transcription.
Doxercalciferol (1α-hydroxyvitamin D2)
Vitamin D analogue that is similar to alfacalcidol in that it is hydroxylated in the liver to 1α,25(OH2)D2. Doxercalciferol is also 24-hydroxylated to produce 1α,24(S)-(OH)2D2 (a metabolite with prodifferentiation actions), whereas alfacalcidol is not.
DU 145
Human prostate cancer cell line.