What is ergocalciferol
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Understanding Ergocalciferol: Uses, Efficacy, and Comparisons
What is Ergocalciferol?
Ergocalciferol, also known as vitamin D2, is a form of vitamin D that is used to treat and prevent vitamin D deficiencies. It is derived from plant sources and fungi, and can be consumed through dietary supplements or foods such as UV-treated mushrooms . Ergocalciferol plays a crucial role in maintaining bone health by regulating calcium and phosphate levels in the blood.
Ergocalciferol in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Delaying Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
Ergocalciferol has been shown to be effective in delaying the onset of secondary hyperparathyroidism in children with CKD stages 2-4. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study found that children receiving ergocalciferol had a significantly longer time to develop hyperparathyroidism compared to those receiving a placebo . This suggests that ergocalciferol can be a valuable treatment in managing CKD-related complications.
Comparison with Calcitriol
In a study comparing ergocalciferol and calcitriol for controlling CKD mineral bone disorder in stages 3 to 5, both treatments showed similar long-term efficacy and safety profiles. However, ergocalciferol significantly increased 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels more than calcitriol . This indicates that ergocalciferol is effective in improving vitamin D status in CKD patients.
Endothelial Function Improvement
Ergocalciferol has also been found to improve endothelial function in CKD patients. In a pre-clinical model of mild uraemia, ergocalciferol improved both vasodilatory and vasoconstrictor functions independently of changes in blood pressure and bone mineral parameters . Another study confirmed these findings, showing that ergocalciferol improved microcirculatory endothelial function in CKD patients with vitamin D deficiency .
Ergocalciferol vs. Cholecalciferol
Potency and Efficacy
Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is generally considered more potent than ergocalciferol. A study comparing the two forms found that cholecalciferol was almost twice as effective in increasing serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels . This has led to debates on whether ergocalciferol should be used as a vitamin supplement, with some experts arguing that cholecalciferol is the superior form .
Impact on Vitamin D Status
Consuming ergocalciferol from UV-treated mushrooms or supplements increases 25-hydroxyergocalciferol levels but decreases 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels in the serum of healthy adults. This suggests that while ergocalciferol is absorbed and metabolized, it may not be as effective in maintaining overall vitamin D status compared to cholecalciferol .
Ergocalciferol in Other Health Conditions
Type 1 Diabetes
In a randomized controlled trial, ergocalciferol supplementation in youth with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes showed a significant reduction in serum tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and blunted the rise in glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and insulin dose-adjusted A1c (IDAA1c). This suggests that ergocalciferol may help protect residual β-cell function and prolong partial clinical remission in these patients .
Hemodialysis Patients
A study on hemodialysis patients with vitamin D deficiency found that ergocalciferol supplementation significantly increased serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels but did not affect epoetin utilization or other secondary biochemical and clinical outcomes. This indicates that while ergocalciferol can correct vitamin D deficiency, it may not have additional benefits in this patient population .
Conclusion
Ergocalciferol is an effective form of vitamin D for treating deficiencies and managing certain health conditions, particularly in CKD patients. However, it is generally less potent than cholecalciferol and may not be as effective in maintaining overall vitamin D status. Further research is needed to fully understand the comparative benefits and limitations of ergocalciferol in various health contexts.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic