provitamin

DL-Panthenol (DL-Pantothenyl alcohol) is the alcohol analog of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) and is thus a provitamin of B5. In organisms, it is quickly oxidized to pantothenate.

7-Dehydrocholesterol (Provitamin D3) down-regulates cholesterol biosynthesis in cultured Smith-Lemi-Opitz syndrome skin fibroblasts.

Ergosterol is the major sterol in fungi and has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiproliferative properties.

β-Carotene (Provitamin A) is a naturally-occurring retinol (vitamin A) precursor obtained from certain fruits and vegetables with potential antineoplastic and chemopreventive activities. As an anti-oxidant, beta carotene inhibits free-radical damage to DNA.

Peraclopone is a hypolidemic drug. It is an inhibitor of 7-Dehydrocholesterol reductase. Peraclopone potently inhibits the final step in cholesterol biosynthesis. Feeding this agent to rats leads to a rapid replacement of membrane cholesterol with its immediate precursor 7-dehydrocholesterol, and a dramatic reduction in plasma sterol concentration. Peraclopone caused a dose-dependent decrease in cholesterol and a concomitant accumulation of provitamin D3 (7-dehydrocholesterol) in the skin, which is accompanied by an increase in the plasma level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. Treatment with peraclopone dramatically alters membrane sterol content in many membranes including the microvillus membrane of both the jejunum and ileum. In the jejunal microvillus membrane a major change in chemical composition occurred, presumably in response to the alteration in membrane sterol. The net result was a significant decline in both the static and dynamic component of membrane fluidity.

Biotin-cholesterol, a biotinylated derivative of cholesterol, serves as a precursor in the manufacturing of biotin-conjugated liposomes and micelles, which are utilized in drug delivery systems [1].

β-Apo-8'-carotenal (Apocarotenal) is a carotenoid present in spinach and citrus fruits, utilized in fat-based foods (margarine, sauces, salad dressings), beverages, dairy products, and sweets.

Ergostenol (Ergost-8(14)-en-3beta-ol) is a biological precursor and a provitamin of vitamin D2.