Skip to main content
. 2021 Sep 25;13(9):e18275. doi: 10.7759/cureus.18275

Figure 1. Schematic representation of the dermal synthesis of vitamin D3 and its activation.

Figure 1

Under the effect of ultraviolet B light from the sun, vitamin D3 is produced in the dermis from 7-dehydrocholesterol. Following production, it enters the liver, where the enzyme 25-hydroxylase converts it to 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH Vitamin D3). It subsequently travels to the kidneys, where it is transformed into 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2Vitamin D3), the physiologically active form of vitamin D.

[Original illustration]

HHS Vulnerability Disclosure